Hockey (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hockey

Firebrands 4th XI 7, Cirencester 3rd XI 1

COMING straight off the back of the emphatic win over Weston, a 7-1 drubbing was not what Cirencester wanted or needed.

Like many games so far this season the scoreline does not tell the story of the game. Cirencester as is their habit started very brightly and were marginally the better side for the first 30 minutes.

The ball was moved about the pitch from side to side and front to back as Cirencester kept possession and threatened the Firebrands defence. However with five minutes to go before half-time somebody hit the self-destruct button and after a couple of unforced errors the score was 2-0 at the break.

The woeful spell continued for a further fifteen minutes which was sufficient for firebrands to add a further five goals to their tally. There was one bright moment in our darkest hour when Jonny Owen put Steve Ryan through to twist and turn his way through the Firebrands defence and hit a clean strike into the bottom left corner.

All credit to the Cirencester side though as at 7-1 down they raised their game to its previous level for the last twenty minutes. Firebrands were unable to score again and Cirencester rallied and could have scored a couple more but it just wasn't to be.

A mention in despatches goes to young Nicky Thomas who made his third team debut and to put it all into perspective, Firebrands victory has now put them top of the league!