The Cirens Calling.

– Sunday 7th January 2024
– 14:00 Kick Off
– Attendance: ~40
– Distance Travelled: 74 miles
– Full Photo Gallery

– Gloucestershire County Women’s League – Division One
– The Corinium Stadium, Cirencester
– Weather: Cold, Sunny Spells
– Admission: Free
– Programme: n/a

Intro

Top of the table Cirencester Town start the new calendar year with a 100% record in the league. Despite having won every game, they are only 3 points ahead of Whitchurch Ladies thanks to having a couple of game in hand. They’ll hope to continue their impressive form into 2024 as they look to secure promotion to the South West Regional League.

Cheltenham Civil Service should provide decent opposition today having only lost one game themselves so far this season. That loss came back on the first day of the season against Dursley Town. Since then the Civis have beaten 2nd place Whitchurch so are clearly no pushovers.

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The Ground

The Corinium Stadium lies on the eastern fringes of the ancient town of Cirencester – a history hinted at in the club’s nickname The Centurions. Cirencester Town have played here since 2002, while the ground has also been shared with Gloucester City, and Malmesbury Victoria. There has been an artificial pitch in place since 2017. There are covered viewing areas on 3 sides of the ground – seated areas on either touchline, and the Shed End behind one goal. The other goal has an uncovered area behind it.

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The Match

The first chance of the game arrived on the 3rd minute – a freekick towards goal was beaten behind by Civil Service keeper Sophie Gifford. Soon after, an important touch from Kelly Pitt put the ball behind for a Cirencester corner. It could have been worse for the visitors with strikers lurking. The resulting corner was fumbled away by Gifford, allowing Jodie Bailey to let loose from the edge of the area. Bailey’s shot was well over, but the Centurions were really starting to dominate. Jessica Cave blocked a Niki Biskup shot, before Biskup’s attempted lob fell just wide of the Cheltenham goal. The visitors finally had a half-chance with 8 minutes of the half remaining – a great cross from Jessica Brown was just to high for Gemma Riley. The half ended and Cirencester had nothing to show for their dominance.

The Centurions started the second half brightly, and on 50 minutes the dangerous-looking Eve Timbrell nipped in but her first time shot was saved by Gifford. 2 minutes later they came even closer to scoring as Anna Margetts’ direct freekick hit the top of the crossbar and went out for a corner. Margetts burst through the heart of the Civi defence on the hour mark, but her shot was well saved again by Gifford. Four minutes later Gifford was again called into action, this time to save at the feet of Bailey. With little over a quarter of an hour to go the hosts were still hunting for a way in – Timbrell fired wide, before captain Libby Messenger shot just off target as the ball fell invitingly to her. Soon after another chance fell to Timbrell as she used her pace to get in on goal but Gifford thwarted the home team once more. Into injury time and Timbrell had a go from 20 yards, but the shot was deflected over. The resulting corner, taken by Timbrell, led to mayhem in the Civil Service penalty area and Jodie Bailey swooped to stab home from close range. The visitors weren’t quite able to clear their lines and as a result Cirencester maintained their 100% record. It was a let-off for the home side who will believe they earned the win with their dominance.

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