FOOTBALL: Cirencester Reserves edge past Shrivenham (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Ciren's development squad win without being at their best

10:06am Tuesday 16th October 2012 in Sport

Uhlsport Hellenic Div 2 West.

Shrivenham Res 1 Cirencester Town Dev 2.

CIRENCESTER failed to find second gear but still managed to gain a hard-fought win at Shrivenham.

Ciren keeper Lee Clatworthy was called upon within the first minute to make one of his trademark saves, but his side were soon in front after Liam O’Brien had put through Dan Roberts to score.

The game then settled into a tight midfield battle, although Ciren could have gone further ahead when the Shrivenham keeper almost dropped a James Smith shot into his own net.

The first half did finish, however, with Shrivenham coming back into the game.

Cirencester failed to capitalise from a series of corners early in the second half and Shrivenham were able to draw level from a free kick that the Cirencester defence failed to clear.

Again the game settled into a defence-dominated struggle with neither side making a meaningful strike on goal.

In the 75th minute, James Smith crossed for Kyle Pitts to knock the ball into the path of Jack Smith, who hit the back of the net to give Ciren a 2-1 lead.

New signing Jack Ayres was given his debut from the bench on 81 minutes when he was brought on for James Smith. The last action came in the 90th minute when Roberts shot over the bar.