Beginning at the Beginning
Amazingly, the anticipated downpour did not materialize for this Shires Cup first round tie at Longlevens and even more amazingly, it remained dry even though Cass was in attendance.
The two newbies to the Stadium Erecting Team, Ross and Iwan, did well to cope with the usual crew and especially with Foran’s numerous ancient jokes, loving it so much they kindly volunteered their nearest and dearest to help instead next time.
Visitors and opponents Newbury were given a warm welcome and their coach Adam (the Peter Kay lookalike one) was full of praise for how fantastic the whole set up was. I don’t think anyone would disagree.
Boakes arrived complete with new Superman skin after coach Harris named him as such in a previous report. And in true Superman style, left it in the changing room after the game.
The contest began and remarkably, so did Gloucester. For the first time this season the team did not wait until the second half, or the second game, to start playing. With the wind at their backs the homesters poured forward and forced several early corners, but could not convert any of the resulting chances.
In the eighth minute though Kennedy gave the hosts the lead, stabbing home the rebound following a low Villiers shot. The advantage did not last long however and three minutes later, Page embarked on a powerful run from the half way line, holding off two defenders and rounding the keeper before calmly rolling the ball into the net to equalise.
The nomadic Taylor, playing in any position except his own, popped up on the right to receive Jones’ well directed pass to hit a screamer of a goal into the top left corner, restoring Gloucester’s lead. They doubled their advantage soon after, Jones finally capitalizing from a corner, heading home Villiers’ flag kick, while Boakes helped maintain the scoreline going into the break by saving bravely at the attacker’s feet after another strong run by Page.
Bee ensured the Yellow’s started the second half like they had ended the first by driving down the right wing and finding Fisher with his cross; the forward’s shot came back off the post but fell at the feet of Taylor (for once in his own position) to gratefully fire home for his brace and the home side’s fourth.
Mason, Ball and Werner had to defend well as Newbury threatened to make a comeback before Mulraney put the game beyond them with a well taken free-kick, floating the ball over the head of the keeper to give Gloucester a five-one lead.
Fisher attempted two bicycle kicks but both were saved as the hosts looked to add to their tally, yet it was to be Newbury’s Dove who grabbed the game’s final goal, reducing the arrears by firing home from the edge of the area to complete the scoring.
A trip to Stevenage in the next round of the cup on 17th November is the Yellows’ reward for a display full of effort and application from the start, right up to the final whistle.
Gloucester: Boakes; Mason (Bambi), Werner, Mulraney (Mullers), Kennedy (Rowling), Jones, Villiers (JV), Bee (Balalala), Taylor (Pig), Ball, Fisher.
The two newbies to the Stadium Erecting Team, Ross and Iwan, did well to cope with the usual crew and especially with Foran’s numerous ancient jokes, loving it so much they kindly volunteered their nearest and dearest to help instead next time.
Visitors and opponents Newbury were given a warm welcome and their coach Adam (the Peter Kay lookalike one) was full of praise for how fantastic the whole set up was. I don’t think anyone would disagree.
Boakes arrived complete with new Superman skin after coach Harris named him as such in a previous report. And in true Superman style, left it in the changing room after the game.
The contest began and remarkably, so did Gloucester. For the first time this season the team did not wait until the second half, or the second game, to start playing. With the wind at their backs the homesters poured forward and forced several early corners, but could not convert any of the resulting chances.
In the eighth minute though Kennedy gave the hosts the lead, stabbing home the rebound following a low Villiers shot. The advantage did not last long however and three minutes later, Page embarked on a powerful run from the half way line, holding off two defenders and rounding the keeper before calmly rolling the ball into the net to equalise.
The nomadic Taylor, playing in any position except his own, popped up on the right to receive Jones’ well directed pass to hit a screamer of a goal into the top left corner, restoring Gloucester’s lead. They doubled their advantage soon after, Jones finally capitalizing from a corner, heading home Villiers’ flag kick, while Boakes helped maintain the scoreline going into the break by saving bravely at the attacker’s feet after another strong run by Page.
Bee ensured the Yellow’s started the second half like they had ended the first by driving down the right wing and finding Fisher with his cross; the forward’s shot came back off the post but fell at the feet of Taylor (for once in his own position) to gratefully fire home for his brace and the home side’s fourth.
Mason, Ball and Werner had to defend well as Newbury threatened to make a comeback before Mulraney put the game beyond them with a well taken free-kick, floating the ball over the head of the keeper to give Gloucester a five-one lead.
Fisher attempted two bicycle kicks but both were saved as the hosts looked to add to their tally, yet it was to be Newbury’s Dove who grabbed the game’s final goal, reducing the arrears by firing home from the edge of the area to complete the scoring.
A trip to Stevenage in the next round of the cup on 17th November is the Yellows’ reward for a display full of effort and application from the start, right up to the final whistle.
Gloucester: Boakes; Mason (Bambi), Werner, Mulraney (Mullers), Kennedy (Rowling), Jones, Villiers (JV), Bee (Balalala), Taylor (Pig), Ball, Fisher.
