A Wet Day in Bath
In stark contrast to the previous week’s glorious sunshine, rain was to be the order of the day and by complete coincidence, after missing last week, Cass Taylor was to be in attendance today as she was for the entire rain-soaked 2017/18 season. The coaches considered a banning order, especially as coach Harris is forced to buy yet more wet weather gear as he once again splits another pair of trousers. A diet option is not even considered.
To cheer themselves up during the journey to Bath, the coaches independently give their super-six predictions and amazingly both come up with exactly the same scores for every game. They both agree they have been coaching together for far too long and both eye ‘A‘ team opportunities.
The rain persists as they begin the first of their three group games at the Premier League South West 9-a-side tournament. As usual for this team they do not start well and lose by two goals to nil against a Swansea ‘A’ side that was of similar quality but more clinical in front of goal.
The team improved for the second game against Poole. With less worrying about the cold, the Gloucester side began competing instead. A low finish from the determined Fisher and a very neat volley from Ball following a flag kick gave The Yellows a two-one victory and lifted the side’s morale in readiness for the next game.
The third game saw Gloucester start to play some good football to compliment their re-found competitiveness, the result being a well deserved two goal win. A powerful drive from Fisher and a close range finish from Mulraney accounted for a spirited West Wilts side.
The team were excited to hear that not only were they through to the semi-finals but that they would also be facing the Gloucester ‘A’ Team. The whole side raised their game and all played their part in a competitive and keenly fought battle. Mason, Ball and Werner did well to quell the powerful and quick strikeforce of Obieri and Myatt while Jones, Kennedy, Mulraney, Villiers and Bee worked extremely hard to deny the ‘A’s any time on the ball in midfield. Boakes made two good saves in the ‘B’s goal and Fisher forced Daniels into a save to keep the game goalless.
A nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out ensued and the brave Fisher, Mulraney, Werner, Kennedy and Jones all stepped forward confidently. Boakes, relishing his opportunity to shine, did not disappoint and saved two penalties to send the ecstatic ‘B’s through to the final. Both Wixey and Harris once again eye ‘A‘ Team coaching opportunities.
In the final The Yellows again demonstrated their battling abilities, typified by Kennedy in the middle of the park. A warm again Taylor recovered from his shivering spell to put in a shift on the left flank as Gloucester pushed a very good Plymouth side all the way, eventually going down by a single goal.
A great effort from all the boys over a long, cold and very wet day.
With the Gloucester Girls winning their tournament, their coaching team eye the possible ‘A’ Team vacancies, meaning the ‘B’ Team coaches may have to settle for what they have and continue their partnership. Where it leaves the existing ‘A’ Team management is anyone’s guess. All await a call from the Chairman.
Gloucester: Boakes, Mason, Ball, Werner, Bee, Fisher, Jones, Taylor, Mulraney, Kennedy, Villiers.
To cheer themselves up during the journey to Bath, the coaches independently give their super-six predictions and amazingly both come up with exactly the same scores for every game. They both agree they have been coaching together for far too long and both eye ‘A‘ team opportunities.
The rain persists as they begin the first of their three group games at the Premier League South West 9-a-side tournament. As usual for this team they do not start well and lose by two goals to nil against a Swansea ‘A’ side that was of similar quality but more clinical in front of goal.
The team improved for the second game against Poole. With less worrying about the cold, the Gloucester side began competing instead. A low finish from the determined Fisher and a very neat volley from Ball following a flag kick gave The Yellows a two-one victory and lifted the side’s morale in readiness for the next game.
The third game saw Gloucester start to play some good football to compliment their re-found competitiveness, the result being a well deserved two goal win. A powerful drive from Fisher and a close range finish from Mulraney accounted for a spirited West Wilts side.
The team were excited to hear that not only were they through to the semi-finals but that they would also be facing the Gloucester ‘A’ Team. The whole side raised their game and all played their part in a competitive and keenly fought battle. Mason, Ball and Werner did well to quell the powerful and quick strikeforce of Obieri and Myatt while Jones, Kennedy, Mulraney, Villiers and Bee worked extremely hard to deny the ‘A’s any time on the ball in midfield. Boakes made two good saves in the ‘B’s goal and Fisher forced Daniels into a save to keep the game goalless.
A nerve-wracking penalty shoot-out ensued and the brave Fisher, Mulraney, Werner, Kennedy and Jones all stepped forward confidently. Boakes, relishing his opportunity to shine, did not disappoint and saved two penalties to send the ecstatic ‘B’s through to the final. Both Wixey and Harris once again eye ‘A‘ Team coaching opportunities.
In the final The Yellows again demonstrated their battling abilities, typified by Kennedy in the middle of the park. A warm again Taylor recovered from his shivering spell to put in a shift on the left flank as Gloucester pushed a very good Plymouth side all the way, eventually going down by a single goal.
A great effort from all the boys over a long, cold and very wet day.
With the Gloucester Girls winning their tournament, their coaching team eye the possible ‘A’ Team vacancies, meaning the ‘B’ Team coaches may have to settle for what they have and continue their partnership. Where it leaves the existing ‘A’ Team management is anyone’s guess. All await a call from the Chairman.
Gloucester: Boakes, Mason, Ball, Werner, Bee, Fisher, Jones, Taylor, Mulraney, Kennedy, Villiers.
