De Cymru & The Marches One

Cirencester 5

Hereford 1

CIRENCESTER men’s 1st XI maintained their impressive league campaign with an emphatic 5-1 victory over visiting Hereford, writes Chris Pollard.

The game didn’t start as planned as the host side conceded within 90 seconds – considered one of the quickest goals of the season.

However, Cirencester clawed their way back into the game with three scores, from Phil Makin, Ollie Latter and James Rydborn.

The second half saw Max Pengilley starring on his first team debut and setting up goals for past captains Simon Dicker and Rob Carmichael. The senior side now occupy second place in the table and visit Cardiff this weekend.

Stroud's attacking prowess proved too much for the Cirencester 2nd XI, and despite scoring in the first five minutes they were unable to suppress the opposition's pacy attacks.

A final goal in the last seconds of the game saw them lose out 5-1.

However, the 3rd XI continued their fine run of form securing a third successive win which moved them up to mid-table.

Two superb strikes from Jon Clifford laid the foundations, with a finish from club stalwart Pete Willett rounding off a 3-0 victory over South Glos.

Ciren’s 4th XI were cruelly denied a point in a tight clash against Evesham & Badsey. With the sides tied at 3-3 in the last minute, a wicked deflection wrong-footed keeper Will Gill and removed the gloss from a superb hat-trick by striker Ben Saunders.

West Clubs Women’s North Division

Cirencester 0

Lansdown 0

THE ladies' 1st XI recorded their first goal-less match of the season, drawing 0-0 with a tough Lansdown side, writes Rachel Seymour.

From the start it was clear that Lansdown had fielded a strong team with a solid defence and the ability to keep possession in the middle.

The draw ensures the team go into the Christmas break second only to their Lansdown rivals in the league.

The ladies' 2s took on their second-string counterparts from Lansdown, losing 3-1.

A fast attacking start coupled with high defensive play and strong breaks meant Cirencester were 2-0 down at half-time.

Despite long periods of possession and great movement off the ball, Cirencester could only claw back one goal through Alice Moss before conceding the third.

This proved their first defeat of the season but they remain top of the Severn Division Two league at the halfway point of the campaign.

It was the other ladies' teams at the club who were to bring home the best results of the weekend.

A hard fought 3-1 win against yet another Lansdown team keeps Cirencester's 3rd XI second in the league.

Lansdown took the lead but Cirencester came back to equalise before half-time through a Kate Randle goal.

Despite suffering injuries the Cirencester team managed to take the lead through Jemma Craig which set up a tense second half.

An unexpected green card for Bizzie Ascham temporarily reduced Cirencester to 10 players but the result was put beyond doubt when Randle added her second of the game from a rebounded shot.

The ladies' 4th XI meanwhile put five unanswered goals past Painswick.

Goals and assists from mother and daughter Blanche and Louisa Neal ensured victory for the home side.