Cirencester Town boss James Mortimer-Jones crashed out of the Marsh Challenge Cup on Saturday after wanting to “play more football” on a heavy pitch against Clanfield FC.
Mortimer-Jones’ Centurions took the lead early in the second half with a “great finish” from centre-back Andy Lewis but were forced to penalties after a late Clanfield equaliser.
Mortimer-Jones was left disappointed heading out of the cup after having little to play for in the league, the UHL Sport Hellenic League Premier Division.
“I thought it was a good battle between two sides that would have wanted to play more football but the conditions didn’t suit that, it was quite a heavy pitch.
“It was a good tussle but to concede late on wasn’t ideal. It’s a lottery going into the shoot-out but there were some good penalties and some good saves and we’ve come out of it out the cup today.”
There was a slight silver lining to the game, with an acrobatic overhead kick from an unlikely goal scorer in Lewis to post on social media.
“I think he is one of the last people you’d think would put in a goal like that but it was tremendous technique, great finish. It is a shame it doesn’t get us over the line today but a great goal.”
The Cirencester boss was left empathetic for his goalkeeper Ronnie Newbery after he missed the deciding spot kick after doing his usual job initially.
“It’s really unfortunate for him that he’s taken the last penalty that has been saved. The boys needed to get him over the line because he had saved two pens in the initial five, if you were him, you’d hope to win.”
Although it was a tough defeat, Mortimer-Jones managed to get some more minutes into the youngsters in his squad after having limited options ahead of the tie. Clubman Jack Freeman also slotted into the left-hand side filling into yet another position for his side.
“It’s a little bit of trial and error and a little bit about who’s available and who’s not. I think we got the best out of Jack Freeman today and it wasn’t really a game suited to him.
“I thought he came into it a lot more in the second half, but we needed to manage his minutes a little bit. The youngsters put in a good performance again.”
Focus will revert to the league campaign for Cirencester as they face Slimbridge this Tuesday. Mortimer-Jones was excited at the prospect of a local rivalry.
“That will be a big game for us. A few people know each other at both clubs and played for both clubs so it should be a good match-up.
“We need to get our confidence back a little bit. In a game like that, if we get a good result it will put us on the front foot again.”
Sitting in 15th with five games left of the league season, Mortimer-Jones’ side is far off the relegation zone, yet far off the playoffs. It will be about picking up form, gaining confidence, and setting good foundations for next season.
