Given both teams porous defences few could have
predicted this game would have ended without goals, but thanks
to some woeful City finishing and some courageous Cirencester
defending and goal saving it did end without either side conceding.
In fairness it wasn't one of those drab 0-0 draws of our nightmares,
the game was packed full of incident and both sides put together
some flowing passing moves that deserved some type of finish.
In the second half particularly we should have wrapped the match
up with Sykes, Griffin and Shaxton all spurning great opportunities
to put in the crucial winner.
Ciren actually started the brighter side with Lee
Smith an early thorn in the City flesh down our left, scampering
clear into acres of space to put in a couple of deep crosses.
He looked the best player in their side throughout the match,
but he must really wonder what he's doing there. Surely it's time
for him to hold his hands up and admit a mistake, and time for
him to come home. He never really seems to enjoy coming back to
Meadow Park and after those early runs he rarely got into dangerous
positions, although some credit for that must go to new City left-back
Luke Buttery. The youngster
signed from Cinderford had an accomplished home debut and showed
some real moments of class, most importantly he got to grips with
Smith as he settled in and seems capable of carrying out his defensive
duties with a consistency we've needed for a while. His watching
former Cinderford team mates, manager and City legends collective
of Chris Burns, Keith Knight, Neil Griffiths, Will Steadman and
Matt Bath must have had mixed feelings.
City eased their way into the match and started
moving the ball around well. Webb carved open the defence with
a wonderful cross field ball giving Thommo a chance to shoot,
but having fluffed that he recovered well to put back in a dangerous
cross. Welsh looked favourite to meet it and when he was bundled
to the floor the forward looked to have a good case for a penalty
but the ref wasn't interested. We were winning the midfield ball
all the time and a Sykes free kick resulted in Griffin firing
into the side netting.
The best chance of the first half came from a Tom
Webb free kick near the right touchline. His angled ball found
the run of Lyndon Tomkins at
the far post and his powerful header looked destined for the bottom
corner before Kevin Sawyer intervened. The Ciren keeper always
gets a lot of stick from the City fans, but he always seems to
be at his best against us and despite his considerable bulk he
is pretty agile for a fat boy. Sykes gave the keeper further chance
to warm his hands, one a skidding shot from distance, the second
a more dangerous volley - both set up by clever touches from Scott
Griffin. Ciren did manage a rare foray into our half but the strikers
seemed unused to having the ball and produced a wild wayward effort
that only troubled the seagulls. Our own finishing was little
better, Chris Thompson having the final chance of the half but
having been put clear by Webb he could only scuff a shot at the
keeper.
City may have dominated the first half but they
again took a while to get going after the break and Ciren could
have taken the lead with a fiercely hit driven free kick that
fortunately went straight into the midriff of Ray
Johnston. City's cause was further hampered when Welsh seemed
to twist his knee as he tried to get to his feet following a challenge
by Ciren's Lee Molyneaux. Initial repairs got Welsh to his feet
but he was limping off a few minutes later.
It took us a while to regain any momentum but it
did seem as if our slick passing would eventually undo Ciren,
and whilst their defence looked comfortable under high balls they
did not keep up well with quick movement. A fantastic passing
move saw Mustoe, Buttery and Webb all weave the ball down the
left and when the final cross came in Sykes shimmied to find space
and seemed sure to score, only for Sawyer to make another fine
block from close range. Griffin then skied a shot into the T-End
after a Sykes free kick was half-cleared, and City saw another
strong penalty appeal rejected as Webb's run into the box was
halted by Jackson's clumsy tug at his shirt. Webb's attempt to
make sure of the penalty only probably confused the ref, Wilko
had the best view of the offence and promptly got booked for dissent
as he pointed out that the ref may have got it all wrong.
City were dominating the game but couldn't find
any way through. Even Mustoe was tempted into trying, but his
low skidding shot was again well saved by Sawyer low to his left.
Reid also went on a run, cutting past two defenders as he ran
from the right, but his low drive flashed just wide of the post.
It really looked as if City would score when Sykes tricked his
way into space and centred a low ball into the path of sub Matt
Shaxton. The Bridgwater based youngster had only just come
on and his first touch let him down, allowing Sawyer to make full
use of his ample frame and smother the danger. It was a great
opportunity to make an impact, but Shaxton does seem to have a
bit of pace about him and he may well get another chance to show
more composure.
The horror show in front of goal continued with
Scott Griffin the next
culprit, and you can only imagine how much the former T-Ender
would have enjoyed a first City goal in front of the terrace and
against the side he walked out of only a few weeks earlier. It
was perhaps all of that going through his head that stopped him
finding the net when a Webb pass trickled through to him, courtesy
of an inexplicable air shot from a Ciren defender. Clean through
and nine yards out Sawyer again did well and the shot ploughed
right at him.
City could have had another shout for a penalty
with Matt Jones tugging Reid over as both tried to reach another
City free kick, but largely you had the feeling this was never
going to be quite our day. There was only the sight of Lee Smith
hobbling off after injuring himself tripping up Tom Webb to bring
a smile. This was by no means a disaster and at least he City
side now looks well balanced and keeps shape when not in possession,
but we must have some regrets about not finishing off a Ciren
team that might well have every reason to be looking anxiously
at that league table.
Bookings:
Dismissals:
none
T-Ender City MotM: 
