De Cymru & Marches One

Lydney 4

Cirencester 2

CIRENCESTER Men’s 1st XI were dealt a blow at the weekend failing to take points from relegation-threatened Lydney.

Cirencester dominated the early exchanges and were rewarded with a neatly-deflected goal from striker Ollie Latter to put them ahead. However, sloppy defending resulted in a Lydney penalty corner that was smashed home.

Five minutes later Cirencester failed to clear their lines and conceded a second to go 2-1 down.

Superb goalkeeping from England Masters keeper Dave Webb kept further attacks out and the visiting Cirencester side were delighted to draw level after a powerhouse drag flick from Jack Brown rattled the goal’s backboards.

Cirencester pushed for all three points, but again left gaps defensively and the pacy Forest of Dean side capitalised with repeated counter attacks, scoring their third and fourth goals in the final quarter of the game. This loss has made the task of securing promotion more challenging as second-placed Cardiff University took all three points, leaving Cirencester six points adrift in third spot.

The Marches One

Lansdown A 5

Cirencester B 1

CIRENCESTER'S 3rd XI were in action against runaway unbeaten league leaders Lansdown.

The hosts started brightly but resolute defending from Andre Muller, Paul Craven and Tom Vinnicombe kept the rampant leaders at bay until the deadlock was finally broken midway through the first half when a poor clearance was shot home.

Suitably buoyed Lansdown scored two further goals to lead 3-0 at half-time.

Cirencester fought hard in the second half but could not prevent going 4-0 down before Will Jarvis latched on to a superb long ball and crashed a shot home to make the second half a close affair.

A calamity of confusion then occurred as keeper Paul “Woody” Franklin and defender Andre Muller both left a routine clearance for each other – to the joy of the Lansdown striker whose goal saw Lansdown secure their 15th win of the season.

Cirencester’s home games were called off due to snow and a frozen pitch at Deer Park School and both the 2nd and 4th XI will be trying to avoid fixture congestion issues as the season moves on.