Gloucestershire FA Challenge Trophy

Tytherington Rocks 2 Cirencester Town Development 2 (Cirencester win 4-3 on penalties)

TYTHERINGTON Rocks are surely moving ever closer to that elusive first win of the season after suffering the frustration of a last kick defeat against Cirencester Town Development at home on in the Gloucestershire FA Challenge Trophy.

Playing under floodlights for the first time this season, Rocks went down 4-3 on penalties after an entertaining 2-2 draw at full-time.

Both sides tested each other in the first 15 mins without any real threats,until the 19th min when Rocks Jake Davies split the visitor's defence with a delicate pass to Daryl Herbert-Smith who lobbed Cirencester's keeper Meredith to give Rocks a 1-0 lead.

Cirencester responded with a series of counter attacks, interspersed with niggling fouls from both teams, but Adam Clark, the Rocks keeper dealt with several crosses and corners with confidence.

However, he could do nothing to prevent the Cirencester striker Danny Gudger from equalizing on 28 mins when he finished off some crisp interpassing down the middle of the pitch with a well taken goal.

Within three mins, Cirencester repeated the slick passing sequence and this time Sam Walsh finished off the move to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.

With Jack Edge,Jordie Connolly and Rob Perry responding to captain Dan McNally's decisive marshalling, Cirencester had little success in penetrating either flank of the home team. Rocks responded with increased determination and with 10 min to to go to half time, Daryl Herbert-Smith drove a powerful shot into the side netting. As half-time approached Rocks gained the reward for their efforts when Lewis Bezer cleverly lobbed the Cirencester keeper from left to right to level the score at 2-2.

Herbert -Smith had one last chance to score before the interval with a point blank header that flew straight at the visitor's keeper Mitchell. The start of the second half mirrored the first with,this time, fouls collecting cautions. On 70 mins the hardworking Connolly was replaced by Sven Hopes. Rocks confidence grew in the later stages of the match, an aspect of Rocks game rarely seen previously this season.

Dan McNally's strong play and positive leadership was a key feature, as more bookings interrupted the flow of a game which was competitive rather that unsavoury. Both sides missed chances to win the game before full time and, as is the case with the GFA Challenge Trophy, penalties would decide the outcome.

Both teams failed with their first shots,then both teams scored their next three, and following the home side's miss with number five, it was left to Cirencester's Danny Gudger to claim the honours for his team.

Rocks next home game is on November 12 against Easington Sports (KO 3pm).