City were unfortunately the next victims of high flying Cirencester Town who notched up their seventh consecutive league win after battering City at The Spectrum by 5-0. Dean Thomas made two changes to the side that lost to Stratford last week, starting himself alongside Darren Evans in attempt to stop Cirencester’s impressive unbeaten run. Both teams were easily dispossessed during the early stages, but the first chance of the game came for City as Romone McCrae shot from far out but his effort travelled wide of the net. Cirencester Town then started their attack as Jamie Edge tried from distance but his shot from was comfortably saved by Will Dukes. The City ‘keeper came to Guildford’s rescue again as a flying shot from Cirencester’s Lee Smith forced him to produce a good save, palming his shot out for a corner. The visitors continued to pile on the pressure as Ellis Dunton caused a lot of problems from the right hand side producing dangerous crosses into the box, the best of them finding Lee Smith but his header was saved by Will Dukes. City posed a threat down the right wing too; Calvin Thomas looked lively as he managed to force a corner as well as having a shot himself which travelled straight into the arms of Cirencester ‘keeper Adam Clatworthy. The best chance of the first half came from Circencester who had numerous chances in quick succession with a header and shot cleared off the line only for Jody Beaven to miss from the near post. The deadlock was finally broken in the 32nd minute when Cirencester’s Aiden Bennett was brought down by Darren Stapleton in the box; the referee signaled for a spot kick which Lee Smith cooly finished. Cirencester added another just eight minutes later as Jody Beaven headed a cross from the right hand side into the back of the net. Will Dukes prevented the Gloucestershire side from adding a third as Ellis Dunton found Jamie Edge in the area but his shot was blocked by City’s ‘keeper.
Half time Guildford City 0 – 2 Cirencester Town
The visitors started the second half brightly as a bout of pressure saw two corners in quick succession; the second of which was successfully punched away by Will Dukes. But Cirencester did make it three as Lee Smith was on target for the second time as his shot travelled past Will Dukes in the 54th minute. Dean Thomas attempted to utilise his attacking options four minutes later by replacing himself with George Bowerman who moved up front with Pat Cox, as well as substituting Tuan West for Dominic Ogun. However Cirencester were still on top, with the biggest threat coming from the prolific Lee Smith who searched for his hat-trick as he was fed balls into the area. But it was Aiden Bennett who scored Cirencester’s fourth of the game as his strike was smashed past Will Dukes into the centre of the net. Cirencester almost added their fifth in comical fashion as City’s Courtney Cann lost control of his pass giving way for Shane Bumphrey who tried to lob the ball over Will Dukes, but his attempt travelled over the bar. City dropped their heads as Cirencester ran riot with an array of chances; Shane Bumphrey was again through on goal but his shot was deflected for a corner which was then punched away. The fifth and final goal of the game came six minutes before the end as a mix up in defence allowed Shane Bumphrey through, finally taking his chance as his shot found the back of the net. City’s Calvin Thomas tried to restore some pride for the home side in the closing stages but Adam Clatworthy produced a good save to stop the shot; too little too late from City as the final whistle blew at The Spectrum.
Team: Will Dukes, Josh Clayman, Darren Stapleton, Dean Thomas (Courtney Cann 58), Jamie Thoroughgood, Darren Evans (George Bowerman 58), Calvin Thomas, Romone McCrae, Ben Walshe, Pat Cox, Tuan West (Dominic Ogun 58).
Unused subs: Nuno Pereira, Mike Woods.
Yellow & Red cards: Nil
Referee: Jason Connolly
Attendance – 91