| CIRENCESTER TOWN U18s 7 PAULTON ROVERS U18s 0 |
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| Written by Tony Walsh | |
| Monday, 22 September 2008 | |
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Rovers well beaten in the FA Youth Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Rovers were well beaten by a strong Cirencester Academy team and but for some fine goalkeeping from Phil Smale the score line could have been much worse. The home side were much quicker to the ball and denied Rovers the time and space to create anything of note for much of the game. Despite this Dave Neil’s team fought valiantly and kept Town at bay until the 31st minute when Smale saved well from a Max Etheridge free kick. However from the resultant corner Zak Westlake’s downward header bounced over the defender on the post and into the net. It took just 2 minutes for the lead to be extended as a good move down the right ended with a cross into the box dropping to Rob Hoskin who fired home but only after the referee had already blown his whistle for a foul on Etheridge. The reprieve was short as skipper, Jamie Moore, made no mistake from the penalty spot. The game was effectively over as early as the 36th minute as the Rovers’ defence failed to deal with a free kick and James Guthrie unmarked at the far post scored with ease. Rovers’ best chance of the game came right on half time as Dan Flower sent Ben Lacey clear but his shot across goal hit the far post and although Flower was first to the rebound his effort was blocked by a defender. Any hopes of a second half revival were dashed almost from the restart as another set piece, again a free kick, wasn’t dealt with and Liam Williams forced the ball home. Smale continued to produce same fines saves but he was beaten again on 63 minutes as Guthrie’s cross from the left was touched home by Etheridge. The same player scored again just 3 minutes later this time directly from a free kick awarded just outside the penalty area. The scoring was completed on 82 minutes when a tired Rovers defence allowed a ball into the box where Hoskin turned and fired home. Whilst there was no disgrace in losing to a good Cirencester team Dave Neil will be disappointed with some ill discipline that saw a number of free kicks which resulted in goals plus two bookings and a sending off. Team: Smale, Mills, Marren, Evans, Croydon, Lidford, Morgan, Banfield, Lacey, Flower, Harrington (C) Subs: Neil, Whittock, Hailston, Rideout, Farmer. Rovers' Star Man: Phil Smale |
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