Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers.    District coaching restarts at OSP on Friday 3rd January (5-6pm) & Monday 6th January (6-7pm).    Saturday 4th January: GPSFA A, B & G v Bexley (Home; 11.00am, 12.15pm & 1.30pm).

Woking B 5-3 Gloucester B by Father Christmas

Gloucester B made the trip to Surrey for their third encounter of the season with Woking, each side having recorded a previous victory apiece.

The visitors were bright and bubbly and seemed full of the joys of Christmas as they pressed from the start. With Harding and Irvine looking assured at the back and Arrowsmith mopping up everything in midfield, the dominance of the away side increased and it was no surprise that they took the lead, Campbell thumping in a left foot drive from the edge of the area.

Good hold up play from Lock gave further opportunities to the lively pairing of Fieldhouse and Campbell, but neither was able to take advantage.

When Easterbrook slammed in a penalty to double the Yellow’s lead all looked set for an away victory, but actually became the turning point in the game.

The visitors’ thoughts must have turned to presents and sneaky sips of mulled wine and they promptly stopped playing. Indeed, the visitors were thankful to loan keeper Moroney for making two great saves as Woking pressed, but eventually the pressure told and Hogben fired in after Gloucester failed to clear a corner just before half time.

Woking began the second period on the front foot and demonstrated their greater desire to win the ball as they poured forward. The visitors were now intent on giving away more presents than Father Christmas and within ten minutes conceded three times, a penalty and poor marking from corners gifting the hosts a two goal advantage.

Day increased the lead when left completely free in front of goal before Fieldhouse reduced the arrears, but Woking ran out deserved winners by five goals to three.

Thought One: Christmas does not start in early December, whatever Advent calendars tell you.

Thought Two: It was pleasing to see such a young referee take charge of the game and be so positive and clear in every decision he made.

Third (and final) thought (of 2016): Gloucester B would like to wish each of their travelling army of fans a very merry Christmas and hope everyone enjoys the forthcoming festivities to the full.

Gloucester: Moroney; Campbell, Irvine, Harding, Cooper, Flatt, Fieldhouse, Lock, Easterbrook, Taylor. Kit man: Inyinbor.