Match Report

Winterbourne United 3 Cirencester United 0

I think it is fair to say that the teams who ran up cricket scores against Cirencester earlier on in the season, prior to their re-vamp, can count themselves fortunate. There is no doubt that Ciren would not have suffered such defeats had they fielded the side that came to the Rec. Bourne, who have been playing very well recently, certainly had their work cut out against a useful outfit who enjoyed good periods of possession and were not out of it until late on. Following the morning’s downpour there was some doubt as to whether the game could go ahead, but after some nifty work with a fork or two the referee declared the pitch fit, but warned that if more rain came we were in trouble.

The hosts had a golden opportunity to take an early lead when the referee awarded a penalty for a handball in the 10th minute. Jimmy Potts was the taker but United’s keeper expertly parried his firm strike at full stretch. This missed opportunity set the tone for a half of much endeavour by the hosts but with very little end product. Credit must be given to Ciren’s back four and midfield that were working very hard and were making life difficult for the fancied home side. The pressure eventually told a minute before the break and the visitors can feel a little aggrieved as the goal had more than a touch of luck about it. James Mainstone will get the credit, as it was his point blank shot that cannoned of a defender and dribbled over the line leaving the keeper bemused, wrong footed and the other side of the goal. HT 1-0

This half was very similar to the first with Bourne pushing forward only to meet a stubborn back line that gave nothing away. A slick bit of footwork from Scott Cameron earned himself a clear sight of goal but his rising effort crashed off the bar and to safety. Ciren had their moments but could not make a telling impression on the home goal and this was their downfall on the day. With twenty minutes to go Jimmy Potts got his customary goal with a far post strike following a bit of a scramble in the visitors box. The second goal effectively sealed the points for the hosts, however, the icing on the cake was provided by skipper Mark Nash in the 80th minute, who fired home a ferocious volley while running in at the far post to meet a Cameron corner. FT 3.0

Sheppard, Gordon, Rhodes Walker, Mainstone (1) Vosper (Totterdell) Gent (Waters) Nash (1) Lochhead (Luton) Potts (1) Cameron