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).

Aston 1 - 0 Gloucester B & Diamonds 0 - 3 Gloucester B

Aston 1 - 0 Gloucester B by F.R.Ustated

The Gloucester B Squad travelled to Birmingham to play a double-header versus two sides new to the Association's fixture list. Weatherley's non-stop singing, however painful to the ears, must have created a calming influence on both Collins and Williams as an hour in there was little sign of a chunder - much to the gratitude of Coach Harris who found himself sat in front of both potential sick notes.

However, Gloucester were finely welcomed by the first of their opponents in Aston. The game began quickly with the city side finding it hard to adjust to Aston's high pressing game. Within a couple of minutes of the kick off an Aston corner was floated in by Jones and not dealt with by the Gloucester defence. A mis-hit clearance found its way to Johnson on the penalty spot who thrashed through the ball to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.

Gloucester continued to struggle with the Midlanders’ determination to press forward and but for Balkwill's skills in providing an extra sweeper for the Yellow's defence, Aston could have found themselves a couple of goals to the good.

Halfway through though, Gloucester started to have a bit more luck on the ball and started pressing forward themselves, Sutherland having a couple of opportunities from sharp angles - one shot going just over the bar and the other being saved by Robinson in goal.

Gloucester had the better of the final five minutes and but for some resolute defending from the Aston backline Gloucester could have found their way back into the game. A corner from Sutherland was hit first time by Weatherley but cleared off the line, the rebound falling to Butcher but his effort was also blocked by Robinson to keep the visitors at bay.

The final chance fell for Butcher with a minute to go. Good work on the edge of the opposition's box by Weatherley, Elliott and Mason put Butcher through one on one with the keeper but his effort was easily saved by Robinson - something quickly rectified by Butcher in the next game.

Diamonds 0 - 3 Gloucester B by Mr Happy

After a slow start to the first game, both coaches asked the boys for a response in the second instalment of today's encounter and the boys gave them exactly what they pleaded for.

Gloucester applied the pressure from the start but found the opening goal elusive. Sutherland up front found himself in space a number of times, but unfortunately found Carter in goal for the Diamonds equal to his efforts.

The commitment, personified by hard man Elliott taking a ball in the face but getting straight to his feet and Sallis showing great composure on the ball, suggested that the breakthrough goal was coming. The deadlock was finally broken when Weatherley on the edge of the area tried to get past the Diamonds defence. A blocked ball trickled out to the edge of the area where Butcher showed that he can not only connect beautifully with a ball, but smash it with his 'weaker foot' in to the opposite top corner of the goal to give Carter no chance of saving.

The goal seemingly lifted the tension and Gloucester started playing some free-flowing football and this was exemplified in their second goal. Sallis, Butcher and Elliott combined to play Weatherley in to calmly slot the ball home and double the visitors' lead.

As the game drew to a close, Gloucester found themselves in the opposition's box once again. Some thrashing at the ball by the Yellows led to some last-ditch defending by the Diamond boys. However Weatherley was on hand once again to slot in one of the rebounds to finish off a more accomplished performance from the B team second time around.

Gloucester would like to the Aston for their kind welcome and hope that this alliance can be built upon in forthcoming seasons.

Gloucester: Balkwill; Sallis, Collins, Pinkney; Weatherley, Knight, Butcher, Elliott, Sutherland. Subs: Williams, Mason.