Skipper Smith at the double as Ciren left to rue missed chances

Mirry Smith scored two free kicks and grabbed an assist from another as Gloucester City Women Reserves claimed a 3-2 win over Cirencester Town Ladies – despite the visitors dominating the first half.

The visitors took the lead through Eve Timbrell before Smith’s first free kick levelled the contest.

Chance after chance was squandered by Ciren and after going into the break level, a second Smith free kick ended up in the back of the net with Ruby Johnson claiming the final touch.

Smith then stepped up to curl in her second effort of the contest before Anna Margetts’ free kick was bundled home at the back post to reduce arrears.

But City Res held on to secure their second league win of the season to move up to 7th in the SWWFL Division One North table.

Ciren suffered their third defeat in a row, but know that based on the first half alone, it is one that got away from them.

Forward Lani Dickinson, rounded Sam Linteo inside five minutes, but after being forced wide couldn’t beat the recovering Linteo at her near post.

Annie Martin burst into the box moments later, but saw her effort deflected for a corner.

But Ciren wouldn’t have to wait too much longer for their opening as the ball was cut back for Timbrell to smash home from close range.

Dickinson fired against the post before Hollie Handisides curled straight at Ciren keeper Ellie Law.

The hosts levelled just before the half mark as Smith’s free kick into the box was missed by a wild swipe from a defender and the ball trickled past Law and into the net.

But Ciren still created chances to warrant going into the break ahead, with Dickinson striking the post again, before Martin beat te offside trap and fired against the upright instead of squaring the ball.

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And within two minutes of the restart, the hosts were ahead!

Smith’s free kick from the right saw Law come for the ball and as bodies converged on the ball, it fell into the bottom corner with Ruby Johnson getting the plaudits from her team mates.

And it got even better for the hosts just after the hour mark as Smith stepped up to curl a free kick into the top corner and putting her side in the driving seat for three points.

But the scoring wasn’t done, as Cirencester won a free kick wide on the left hand side with 15 minutes to go.

Anna Margetts stepped up and after her ball in slipped through Linteo’s gloves the ball fell into the net as bodies flew in at the back post.

Credit to the hosts, they saw the game out well enough but Ciren squandered yet another guilt edge chance in stoppage time as Martin beat the offside trap and again, instead of squaring, took the chance on herself but fired straight at Linteo.

Cirencester will be looking to end their run of defeats on Sunday 2nd November, when they head to Brislington, whilst City are once again at home next weekend, as they welcome Downend Flyers to New Meadow Park.

Gloucester City Women Reserves: Linteo, Deveau, Johnson, Smith, Mansell, Tichy, Baldwin, Reeve, Kantorowicz, Cliffe, Handisides

Subs: McAusland, Ambrey, Feighery, O’Neil

Cirencester Town Ladies: Law, Candy, Margetts, Hill, Messenger, Martin, Dickinson, Payne, Timbrell, King, McGouran

Subs: Harris, Haney-Wilcox

C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Mirry Smith (Gloucester City Women Reserves)