Price scores four as Cirencester produce five star second half display
Cirencester Town’s hot streak continues as a hectic second half saw them hit Westfields for five on Saturday afternoon, with Harlie Price scoring four, writes Alfie Richmond.
With four wins from their last five matches, a surge in form saw Ciren start the afternoon in fifth place — occupying a play-off spot in a congested league table. Their visitors, Westfields, sat 11th in the table, and were coming off the back of Tuesday’s 6-0 victory against Welland Firsts in the county cup.
The away side were lively from the off, but four minutes in it was Cirencester with the first chance. Fraser Bell broke away, but his cross just evaded Harlie Price.
Seven minutes later, Westfields had a great chance to open the scoring when Mohamed Djalo’s cross found Jamie Clark. Elliott Keightley did well to recover and block the striker’s effort.
Ed Scott saw a headed effort lifted over the bar on 18 minutes after Rhys Wells’ outswinging corner, as the hosts were beginning to grow in confidence.
The best chance of the game arrived after 22 minutes, when Zac Powell’s deflected cross picked out Clark, only for his point-blank effort to be brilliantly blocked by Ronnie Newbery to deny the visitors the opener.
Moments later, the hosts had a huge chance of their own as Wells’ cross found Price unmarked at the back post just yards from goal, but the striker couldn’t get enough on the ball and headed over the bar.
Scott went close again on 31 minutes, heading over the bar after Theo Jeremy’s free-kick picked out the defender. Fields looked vulnerable in the air, and it was another promising chance gone begging for Cirencester.
Clark was denied once again by Newbery after breaking away on the counter — but the keeper read his dinked attempt to keep it at 0-0 minutes before the break.
Both sides had chances in the first half in what was an evenly contested tie, with Cirencester having the majority of the ball, but Fields looking dangerous on the counter.
The home side struck first in the second half on 55 minutes with a header from George Peare that looked almost a certain goal but for the clearance of Westfield defender George Clark on the-line, after yet another set-piece.
The breakthrough finally came in the 72nd minute. Substitute Aidan Bennett delivered a superb cross to Price, who made no mistake this time, flicking the ball into the far corner. With 18 minutes remaining, Cirencester Town led 1-0.
Just seven minutes later, Westfields responded swiftly and levelled the scoring. Dan Bufton wrapped a cross into Powell who did brilliantly to divert the ball past Newbery from close range.
But it wasn’t level for long. Three minutes later, Ciren regained their lead. Bell delivered a wonderful ball into Jeremy at the far post, whose delicately caressed volley squeezed past Ryan Smallwood in the Fields goal — making it 2-1 to the hosts with nine minutes remaining.
When it rains, it pours — and the goals were coming thick and fast. Moments later, Bell delivered another brilliant cross to Price, who headed the ball down past the keeper to complete his brace and seal the win for The Centurions.
Price wasn’t finished yet. In the dying embers of the game, his free-kick struck the post but took an unfortunate deflection off Smallwood and bounced in, giving Cirencester a 4-1 lead — and a hat-trick for the striker, his third of the season.
Westfields seemed to have capitulated towards the end of the game, emulated by Jack Freeman going down under George Clark’s challenge in the box. It was none other but Price who stepped up for the penalty, and tucked away to grab his fourth of the afternoon.
A hectic end to what looked a tight affair saw Ciren take all three points, running out 5-1 winners in the end.
A busy week awaits Fields, starting with a local derby on Tuesday night hosting Hereford Pegasus in the fourth round of the Floodlit Cup. League action then resumes next Saturday with Hallen the visitors. Cirencester, meanwhile, travel to Lydney Town next week before hosting Pershore Town as they continue their push for the play-offs.
Cirencester Town: Newbery; Bell, Keightley, Scott, G.Peare, N.Peare, Wells, Horrell, Price, Welch ©, Jeremy.
Subs: Pitts (87’), Bennett (70’), Freeman (86’), Stalley (88’), Turley (81’).
Westfields: Smallwood; G.Clark, Bennett, Campbell, Davis-Austin, Davis, Powell, Cottrill ©, J.Clark, Djalo, Ahmed.
Subs: Bufton (36’), Grant (70’), Muirhead, Scott (77’), Jennings (86’).
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Harlie Price (Cirencester Town)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
