Match Report - Cirencester Town Dev - by David Hucker

MATCH REPORT

by David Hucker

Hellenic League Division 1, Bobby Hancocks Park, 15.10.22

SOUTHAM UNITED 2

(Mauritson 83’, Lawes 90+2’)

CIRENCESTER TOWN DEV 1

(Allen 18’)

Cirencester Town came to Bobby Hancocks Park having lost all twelve of their Hellenic League fixtures, the latest being a 7-2 defeat at home to Abingdon United, but shook Southam by taking a first half lead and held on right to the end when substitute Jay Lawes won it for the home side in added time.

Shane Osborne had a chance to give Southam an early lead, but his fourth minute effort went just wide, before they found themselves behind in the 18th as Jake Allen’s goal for the visitors promised to spring a big surprise.

Osborne had another effort saved by the visiting keeper in the 37th minute, but it was Lewis Hudson in the home goal who was finding himself the busier of the two.

Southam were looking for a way back and, on 50 minutes, half-time substitute Ben Tennant crossed into the box for Ethan Champkins to get on the end, but his effort went narrowly wide. They combined again five minutes later and this time Champkins’ shot was well saved.

It could have been worse for Southam had Sol Bloomer

not cleared off the line in the 69th minute and they thought that they had drawn level three minutes later only for Osborne’s strike to be ruled out for offside.

Finally. Melvin Mauritson brought them level with seven

minutes of normal time remaining and substitute Jay Lawes was then denied in the 86th by a point-blank save. It was 90+2 on the clock when, from a corner, a low shot from Lawes looked to have been gathered by the keeper, but found its way into the back of the net.

Southam are away to Smethwick Rangers in the Birmingham FA Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup on Wednesday 19th and back home again for the fourth Saturday in a row when they take on high-riding Clanfield 85 in the league (kick off 3.00pm).

Team: Hudson, Bloomer, Stewart (Tennant 46), Harris, Watkin, Ellis Champkins, Ethan Champkins, Smith (O’Brien 70), Mauritson, Osborne, Dixon (Lawes 61)

Subs not used: Ryan King, Kyle LocklinPlayer of the Match: Ben TennantAttn: 80

SOUTHAM UNITED: Hudson, Bloomer, Stewart, Harris (c), Watkin, Ellis Champkins, Ethan Champkins, Smith, Mauritson, Osborne, Dixon Subs: Lawes, Tennant, O’Brien Subs not used: Locklin, King

PERSHORE TOWN: Allen, Andrews, Francome, George, James, McNally, Pooley, Purcell, Rowe, Seller, Woodcock. Subs: Garland Subs not used: Stevenson