Evo Stik Southern League

West Division

North Leigh 1

Cirencester Town 2

By David Pyzer

AN own goal by former Cirencester Town defender Matt Sysum gifted Charlie Griffin's play-off hopefuls the points at North Leigh.

Earlier, Cirencester starting eleven saw the return of Tommy Ouldridge in central midfield and hat-trick hero Henry Spalding reverting to his normal wide berth at the expense of Aidan Bennett.

The game began promisingly enough for Cirencester as Will Christopher had an early pot at goal and Tommy Anderson was played in for a one-on-one with ‘keeper Ross Grimshaw who managed to block with his legs as the winger attempted to slip the ball past him.

In reply, George Seacole made a driving run from half way to the left corner where he won a corner kick that Alan Griffin headed clear to be recovered and fed to Todd Hathaway, who had his effort from the left channel front edge of the Cirencester area blocked.

Within minutes the action was at the other end as Christopher sent a deep cross from right to left for Anderson to collect and return it through the home six-yard box to the far byline where it was launched downfield for a counter attack that turned into a series of corner kicks.

Brad Chalmers opened the scoring for the home side as he converted at the back post with a powerful header.

This setback prompted Cirencester to drive forward down the slope as Anderson charged down the left, Whitehead shot at goal, Christopher crossed from right to left and Spalding was set free by Griffin to charge down the right channel - past a couple of opponents and into the penalty area where former Centurion Sysum came across to make a vital challenge as Spalding looked to pull the trigger.

The pressure was building and Cirencester were awarded a couple of corner kicks that led to Tunnicliff collecting the ball and driving to the left byline where he sent a low cross into the six-yard box for Griffin to bundle home from a few yards.

A couple of minutes later Whitehead tried a snap-shot from the right channel front edge of the home area, but Grimshaw was alert and made the save at his left post.

As the half was drawing to a close Declan Sheppard sent a free kick into the Cirencester penalty area where Mike Pook headed it out but it was quickly returned - clipping the top of the crossbar on its way out of play.

After the interval Cirencester started very positively as within six minutes of the re-start North Leigh’s Jordan Lymm had made a goalmouth clearance, Tunnicliff had made a couple of driving runs down the left flank.

In response the home side worked the ball down their left flank as Dan James, Matt Grabe and Sheppard combined for James to cross into the arms of Wieczorek.

Cirencester continued to press and probe from left to right and eventually won a free kick near the right touchline.

Pook drove the kick towards the far post as Alex Albert darted forward to challenge for it but instead Sysum made contact with his head to send the ball inside the right post for an own goal.

The home side reacted positively to this setback as substitute Piers McGlynn sent a free-kick through the Cirencester penalty area and shot at goal within a couple of minutes of replacing Declan Sheppard.

Minutes later Josh Thomas brought a fine save from Wieczorek who pushed his 30 yarder round his right post and then saved Grabe’s shot as North Leigh pressed.

Whilst Cirencester had been put on the back foot they were still dangerous and a neat piece of play on their right flank as Griffin exchanged passes with Aidan Bennett and Pook resulted in Griffin crossing from the by-line as Whitehead darted forward to produce a header that was cleared near the right post.

Into the final five scheduled minutes and the home side were awarded a corner kick from the right that reached Chalmers but he could not repeat his earlier contact heading wide of the target.

Tunnicliff replied with a ball down the left flank that Griffin guided into the path of Anderson as he galloped forward to collect and take into the home penalty area before crossing towards the far post. The ball was intercepted by a defender and it appeared to the Cirencester faithful passed back to his ‘keeper who picked it up to strong appeals for a free-kick that were ignored by referee, Matthew Perry, despite a similar decision going against Cirencester in the first-half.

With time ebbing away for the home side Chalmers found himself with just Wieczorek to beat, but the ‘keeper was quickly off his line to block the shot with the ball rebounding back onto Chalmers and out of play.

In the final minute of added-time Wieczorek dived to his right to push another effort wide of his post to preserve the lead.

Cirencester Town: Wieczorek; Christopher, Tunicliff, Pook, Albert, Ouldridge, Anderson, Connolly, Griffin , Whitehead, Spalding

Subs: Bennett (Spalding-71mins), Mortimer-Jones (Whitehead-89mins)

Subs not used: Arnold, Rose (GK)