Hockey team faces heavy loss against league leaders (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hockey team faces heavy loss against league leaders

IN what was always going to be a difficult hockey match, Cirencester first team suffered a 9-2 league defeat at the hands of table-topping Marlborough.

Town's Total-sponsored side emerged upbeat prior to the start of Saturday's home match after an uplifting pre-match talk from captain Paul Anstee and sponsor-advisor Charlie Paine.

However, up against in-form opponents and following their previous week's 6-0 demise, Cirencester were under no illusions about the task ahead of them.

Frustratingly, and something witnessed on previous occasions already this season, it seems a lot of teams who visit Cirencester have more luck than they really deserve.

Nonetheless, the local side played the first half confidently enough and moved the ball well.

A little unluckily, perhaps, Cirencester were caught out at the back early.

And when Sean Collin was penalised for his splendid saving tackle, the visitors converted their chance.

Remaining upbeat, Town hit back with a great move involving Paul Holbrook and Chris Poole that set up Si Dicker to coolly lift it over the keeper.

With end-to-end stuff in the next 10 to 15 minutes, the game settled before Marlborough converted two goals in quick succession to lead 3-1 at half-time. The second half saw the Cirencester team pumped up and keen to get on with it.

After the break, another great move involving Paul Anstee and Chris Poole made space for Si Dicker to roof the ball off the crossbar and into their Wiltshire rivals' goal.

It was a great strike and surely a contender for goal of the season.

After this success, Cirencester pushed for the equaliser, only to again be caught out on the break.

A poor pass from Anstee put through the Marlborough forward who coolly slotted past Town's ever-improving keeper.

In the last 15 minutes, the hosts were caught out in attack and midfield areas and their defensive quartet duly punished.

Wheatsheaf-sponsored man of the match was Chris Poole.