Griffin completes Cirencester's Trophy comeback

From the archive, first published Tuesday 15th Nov 2005.

CIRENCESTER TOWN twice fought back from a goal down at Banbury to grab a 2-2 draw in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

Banbury opened full of confidence on a greasy pitch, with Cirencester lacking both Adie Viveash and Marc Richards through injury niggles, and pressured the visitors throughout the opening quarter.

But Darren Robison and Craig Fullam, with Steve Book dominating behind them, made sure they snuffed out the dangerous Matt Gooderick and Andy Baird.

The only goal of the half came on 24 minutes following a foul by Fullam. Ady Fuller's free kick was going wide but cruelly deflected off the wall to beat the off balance Book.

Ciren manager Brian Hughes made a brave tactical switch at half time, pulling Steve Cowe deeper to provide an outlet and sending Dave Godley and Gary Horgan further upfield to support Gareth Hopkins. And it worked as the visitors drew level on 55 minutes as Kevin Halliday blasted a scorching free-kick just inside the far post .

Cirencester continued to press and substitute Scott Griffin and Hopkins went close. But they then lost man of the match Halliday with a strained a calf muscle.

Against the run of play Ciren were rocked on 89 minutes as sub Jody Mackay shot Banbury ahead again.

But straight from the kick off Hopkins powered away, took a return pass from Michael Jackson and smacked a 20-yard piledriver at Simon Tricker.

The keeper spilled it but Griffin, quick to react, saw his shot deflected off Tricker onto the bar.

However, at the second attempt Griffin made no mistake grabbing a last-gasp equaliser to set-up a replay on Tuesday.

Cirencester: Steve Book, Neil Arndale (c), Gus Fraser, Michael Jackson, Gary Horgan, Craig Fullam, Darren Robison, Steve Cowe (Lee Smith 73), Gareth Hopkins, David Godley (Scott Griffin 61), Kevin Halliday (Nick Stanley 70).

Archive Home