Visitors to the Valley, looked to build on what has been a poor start to the season

It was Cirencester Town who were the visitors to the Valley, looking to build on what has been a poor start to the season. After conceding 18 goals in their first six league games, the Reds were looking to capitalise on obvious defensive frailties.

The visitors lined up in a 4-5-1 formation packing central midfield, with the Reds opting for a 4-4-2 with Elliot Nash making his first league start of the season on the right side of midfield.

It was a nightmare start for the Reds conceding after two minutes following a thunder bolt left foot strike from Etheridge from a fully 25 yards, that flew past Coleman into the corner of the net.

The visitors drew confidence from this electric start, and took hold of the game. With a solid back 4 and 5 strung across midfield, Cirencester were comfortable all afternoon.  The game was scrappy with Cirencester happy to frustrate the home team who failed to come up with a solution to breaking them down.  It was the visitors who looked the most likely to increase their lead with Murphy playing upfront alone causing problems for Hickman and Miley.

In a lacklustre first half the Reds failed to play with any conviction either with or without the ball.

Second Half

A change in formation for the second half saw Green move behind a front 2 of Robinson and Blenkinsopp, with a narrow midfield 3 of Nash, Howell, and Brown.

This failed to inspire the home team who carried on in much the same vein as the first half, playing with no real desire or drive.

Cirencester could sense their first league win of the season, was very much on the cards, and this came to fruition in the 64^th minute, following excellent interplay between Mayo and Murphy on the edge of the box it was Mayo’s left foot shot that went in off the post, it was no more than the visitors deserved.

In the closing stages it was substitute Joe Harris who went through in the inside left position, but he chose to pass rather being more positive and looking to shoot.

The Reds looked well short in every department on a bitterly disappointing day, the Reds final whistle brought a chorus of boos from the home fans, who rightly so expected more against a struggling Cirencester team.