Men's hockey team hits a slippery slope (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Men's hockey team hits a slippery slope

Gerrard South West & Wales North Division 1 Bristol University A 3, Cirencester 1st XI 1 CIRENCESTER slumped to their third successive defeat in Gerrard North Division 1 on Saturday, slipping down the table to fourth place as a result.

As in previous weeks, Town carved out numerous chances, but were unable to finish in the clinical fashion that they had been managing during the first half of the season.

Visiting Town started brightly and came close on numerous occasions before Ollie Latter intercepted a pass, pushed the ball down the line to Will Harrison who slotted it into the D for Charlie Paine to tap home.

But Cirencester went down to ten men after centre-back Andy McGrath received a yellow card for a mistimed tackle.

The students, though, were unable to make the extra man count and their nearest effort was a short corner that Paul Holbrook cleared off the line.

Back to 11 men, Cirencester continued to press with Simon Dicker striking a post, after a good move down the right, and Ollie Latter coming close from a short-corner strike.

Against the run of play, Bristol Uni broke and, despite a first-time save from keeper Dave Webb, the resulting rebound was picked up by an attacker to leave the scores level at half-time.

While Cirencester started the second half strongly, they were unable yet again to take their chances.

Charlie Paine struck a post from an acute angle and numerous short corners broke down, mainly due to the speed of the Bristol defenders.

In a carbon-copy of their first goal, Bristol broke again and were first to react following a smart save by Webb.

Mindful of the consequences of a further defeat, Town continued to create chances which they were then unable to convert.

With Cirencester pressing forward, the opposition were able to counter-attack, and only excellent tackling by Dave Hall and good saves by Webb at the top of the D kept them at bay.

To compound matters futher, the hosts were gifted a third goal when Pete Willett hit a 16-yard hit straight into the path of a Bristol forward who calmly rounded Webb to leave Cirencester in disarray in a 3-1 loss.

After spending most of the season at the top of the table, Cirencester now find themselves in an unenviable fourth place with three fixtures remaining.

With these three games against second, third and fifth, Cirencester need to get back to winning ways if they really want Premiership hockey next season.