Cirencester pips Minehead to the post (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester pips Minehead to the post

Minehead Hockey Club 4, Cirencester Hockey Club Men's 1st X1 5

CIRENCESTER started brightly, passing the ball swiftly around the back and into midfield.

From Tasker's fifth-minute short corner, Simon Dicker stopped the ball, turned the first defender and passed to Paine for a simple tap-in.

Shortly afterwards, Cirencester's midfield struggled to cope with Minehead's central attack.

Cirencester's centre-backs, Collins and McGrath, were over-run and Minehead scored.

Attacking flank-play, from Owen Wilkie and Alex Hughes, saw Cirencester threaten but Minehead scored shortly before the break.

Paine equalised with a vicious first-time strike from another short corner.

Cirencester surrendered possession while attacking, allowing Minehead's centre forward to break away and restore his team's lead.

Dicker's strong run and calm finish made it three-all.

Sean Collins had his shorts ripped by Minehead's centre-forward but the umpire inexplicably awarded the home team a short corner.

Minehead converted with a first time strike, which looped over Webb in Cirencester's goal.

With less than five minutes remaining, Paine completed his hat-trick.

This late equaliser broke the home team's spirit and they started arguing amongst themselves.

Paine took advantage, slotting in his fourth goal of the day for Cirencester and sneaking the winner with 30 seconds left.

Hughes and Wilkie shared the Total Employment Man of the Match award for their youthful running and great control.