Town can hold heads high after gallant effort in the HA Vase final (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town can hold heads high after gallant effort in the HA Vase final

DESPITE losing 3-7 to Eastbourne in Sunday's English Hockey Association Vase final, Cirencester can hold heads high after finishing their best-ever season as runners-up in a prestigious national competition and also winning promotion.

In previous rounds, Town had started at a fast pace and the final proved no different. Right from the off, they pushed forward and early signs were good when they won the first penalty corner after three minutes.

Corner specialist Ollie Latter came forward from his right- back position to strike the corner that unluckily produced a fine save from the keeper.

With such a bright start, Cirencester had perhaps deserved to open the scoring.

But they certainly didn't deserve to go a goal behind when, after four minutes, Eastbourne produced a goal on the break against the run of play.

Incredibly, this was the first time that the Glo'shire side had been behind in a game during their entire cup run - and it seemed to knock the wind out of sails.

In contrast, the goal settled Eastbourne and they were soon 2-0 up. Worse followed when, with Cirencester still trying to recover, their rivals broke away to score a third.

As Cirencester heads dropped, Eastbourne began to dominate and, with Town having no penetration going forward, it was only a matter of time before their defence was broken again.

And so after just 20 minutes, Town were staring at a 4-0 deficit, goalkeeper Webb having no chance with any of them.

Nonetheless, that fourth goal had the necessary affect on the Town players.

Not wishing to be trounced in front of their faithful band of supporters, who had travelled four hours just to get there, Cirencester dug deep.

Suddenly, the relentless push from Eastbourne ceased as their opponents finally rediscover some of their old form that had got them to the final in the first place.

They hadn't made it there ahead of 126 other teams across the country for nothing!

Town began to push forward and an excellent run from Rob Duffy opened up the Eastbourne defence down the right.

Duffy produced a cross to striker Simon Dicker who saw his first-time goal-bound shot amazingly saved by the keeper.

Moments later, a ball from centre-back Sean Collins made it through to Dicker who found himself through on goal.

This time, the custodian could do nothing about the cool finish as Cirencester finally contributed to the score line.

Play was now far more even from then on in, although Eastbourne managed to score a cheap goal from a penalty corner on the stroke of half-time.

So at 5-1 adrift at the interval, Town skipper John Tasker offered much encouragement during the break.

His words had an effect as a second half 2-2 score line meant that, for two-thirds of the match at least, Cirencester matched their opponents.

Defenders John Partridge, Greg Knight, Sean Collins, Andy McGrath and Ollie Latter were a far stronger outfit during this period, making Eastbourne fight for any chance to advance their lead.

Even then, keeper Webb was in fine form, as was reserve keeper Portlock when he was called upon as a late replacement for an injured Webb.

Making use of substitutes, the midfield combination of Paul Holbrook, Dave Harvey, Tasker, Chris Poole, Pete Willett and Rob Duffy competed in and dominated much of the second-half play.

With the midfield creating chances, it was time for striker Charlie Paine to show why he has broken all scoring records this season.

His partnership with Dicker has produced goals in every game they have played in this season.

On two occasions in the second half, Dicker found Paine in the D who scored spectacularly, giving Town supporters something to cheer.

But with Eastbourne matching their rivals' goals in the second half, they ran out 7-3 winners to complete a season that has seen them remain unbeaten in all competitions.

With both teams earning promotion from their respective leagues, they could meet in next year's HA Trophy competition.