De Cymru & Marches One

Lansdown 3

Cirencester 5

THE cancellation of Cirencester’s 2nd XI game, due to a frozen pitch, enabled manager Paul Anstee to take a strong squad to Lansdown for the first league game of 2017, writes Chris Pollard.

Despite skipper Jacob Elliott being sidelined due to illness, the senior side started briskly and after 10 minutes Rob Carmichael breached the defence and put the Cirencester side ahead.

Playing an offensive full-court press, Cirencester seemed comfortably in control despite squandering penalty corner chances.

But a pacy Lansdown counter attack saw them draw level and minutes later a further breakaway saw Lansdown 2-1 in front.

Continued pressure on the Lansdown goal resulted in further chances, and a Will Rudd pass was fired into Max Pengilley, whose diving deflection cleared the bar.

Soon after, Jack Brown picked up a loose clearance at the top of the circle and smashed the ball home to draw the sides level.

Carmichael having narrowly missed with two reverse shots, finally added his second and at half-time, Cirencester were 3-2 up.

Using the rolling substitutions to full effect, Cirencester continued their trademark attacking press. Swede James Rydborn and Dutchman Matt van der Torren instigated numerous attacking options, and Pengilley notched his first full senior Cirencester goal at the end of a fine solo dribble.

Further attacks resulted in great chances for GB College’s Charlie Partridge and Carmichael, and then two sensational goals from van der Torren and Pengilley were disallowed for earlier infringements.

Lansdown continued to press themselves and a breakaway saw Cirencester’s three defenders outnumbered with ‘keeper Butler unable to prevent the home side taking the score to 3-4.

This set up a tense finish. However, Rydborn and Welsh Masters international Watson marshalled the midfield well, and with 10 minutes remaining Carmichael completed his hat-trick and the scoring.

Anstee said: “I expect a degree of rustiness as the league programme stops during Christmas and the New Year.

“We were tentative in front of goal missing numerous chances, but we are the top-scoring side in the league with 58 goals in 12 matches.”

Cirencester are joint-second with Cardiff University in the league and five points behind leaders Bristol & West.

This weekend Cirencester could move into clear second as they host Cardiff University at Deer Park School.

The Marches Div One

Abergavenny 2

Cirencester 3rd XI 2

CIRENCESTER’S 3rd XI visited Abergavenny and in a tight match shared the points.

Midway through the first half, the Gloucestershire side paid the price for a poor clearance and conceded. After some tactical changes the focus shifted to faster distribution.

The second half saw Cirencester dominate and Will Jarvis picked up the first of his two goals 10 minutes in.

With Cirencester pushing for the winning goal, they became susceptible to counter attacks and again found themselves 2-1 down.

Cirencester continued to exert pressure but wayward shooting from penalty corners almost cost the day, until Jarvis latched on to a pass and smashed the ball into the goal to draw the sides level.