De Cymru & The Marches 2

Wotton-under-Edge 2nds (A) 1 Cirencester 2nds 2

A LARGELY unchanged Wotton side welcomed Cirencester, full of optimism on the back of an encouraging win the previous week. Sadly, a win was not to be for the home team.

The hosts were eager to get one over on their relegation rivals to ease their own fears, whilst also putting Cirencester further in to the mire.

This showed in the opening 10 minutes, when the blues certainly had the upper hand, through chances created through the midfield of Chris Price, Benjy Wells, Callum Niddrie, Sam Willcox, and Will Cave providing opportunities for the forwards Archie Cropper, Ben Butter and James Bull.

An opening chance was missed by Wotton, and against the run of play Cirencester took the lead from a short corner.

Perhaps stunned by the visitors’ goal, what followed was an unsettled ten-minute spell for Wotton which culminated in a freak second goal for Cirencester from a high ball lobbed over keeper Charlie Thomas - not something you see every day, but a goal to make Wotton heads drop further.

Going towards half time, the defence of Richard Goodwin, Hayden Brewer and Leo Murray-Davey held firm and the half time whistle was a welcome relief.

A slight reshuffle at half time, along with a few stern words, saw Wotton come out of the traps hard in the second half. The remainder of the game was played almost entirely in the Cirencester half, with Wotton creating plenty of chances.

Cropper restored some faith with a tap in after Price had hit the post. Price, Cropper, Willcox, Cave and Butter all had more chances to score, but, despite their pressure and superior play, Wotton were unable to restore parity.