FOOTBALL

Cirencester 3

Slimbridge 3

Slimbridge conceded late as they failed to hold on for what would have been an impressive three points away at Cirencester Town on Tuesday night writes Dave Pyzer.

For the fourth successive game, spectators at The Corinium Stadium were treated to an exciting game of football as the visitors took the lead three times but were ‘pegged-back’ by a home side that nearly pinched all three points in ‘added-time’.

Slimbridge started quickly and after 11 minutes Liam Smith delivered a corner kick into the mix of the 6 yard box where Will Hawes reacted quickest to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net.

Stung by this setback Cirencester began to play their measured football and pressed their visitors, who relied on quick counter attacks, and ten minutes from the interval the pressure told as Adam Connolly headed a corner kick into the net from the edge of the 6 yard box.

Within two minutes of the re-start Slimbridge regained the lead when substitute Ewan Dunbar produced the deftest of touches with the inside of his right heel at the near post for the ball to finish inside the back post.

Three minutes later it was all-square again as Ben Whitehead met a low cross from the left to finish from a few yards.

The game became ‘end-to-end’ and on the hour Slimbridge took the lead again as Ewan Dunbar rode three challenges in the box to finish inside the left post.

Cirencester refused to give in and in ‘added-time’ Ellis Dunton bundled the ball over the line following a corner kick to level and there was still time for Whitehead to be denied in a 1v1 and Dunton to strike the bar before the final whistle.

The draw leaves Slimbridge lying in 16th in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South on 12 points.