A Nice and Nimble Noteworthy Nine
Gloucester travelled to Woking for their double header game in the Cotswold Challenge Shield and Geoff Richards League. A win would put them in good stead to push on and win both competitions.
With Tony Pony now left to force the Mayor of Gloucester into doing some kick-ups and penalties (not at the same time) at Longlevens and Ball still unable to play as the doctors continue to try and understand how a concussion can happen to someone with no brain, the boys set course on another London-way trip.
The standard Services stop went by with nobody going missing, no-one elaborately spending top-dollar on (what can only be described as) ‘tat’. The boys did however show that we are not destined to have a group of thespians, when Coach Harris decided to do the get well video for Kai - adding in some comedy value. What was to come was a few drivelling attempts at following a script and acting skills that could only be befitting of finding its place on Hollyoaks. Attempts for a video were postponed.
The B team arrived at Knaphill and were pleasantly surprised to see a parent of ours. Mr Jones had decided to travel alone and support the boys and while the coaches were sorting the equipment out, Mr Jones was keeping them busy with some guacamole chant video of some sorts.
Onwards to the game and the coaches had been trying of late to encourage the boys to play quicker and simpler football while getting them to think about how they can join up with play when attacking as a team - instead of ‘waiting to see what happens next’.
Now although, it was a relatively slow start, you could see that the majority of the boys were trying follow those instructions. Some early signs down the left by Mulraney and Werner showed good link-up play and overlapping of each other to get at the Woking defence.
The first five minutes showed the pattern of the game. Gloucester would have the ball in Woking’s half for the majority of the time. However, when Woking retrieved the ball, they would come at Gloucester rather quickly and the defence would have to be on hand to mop up any counter attacks.
Villiers had Gloucester’s first few efforts. Following a corner from Taylor, Villiers connected well with his shot that was saved by the keeper. This was followed by a good move between Werner, Jones and Villiers - whose resulting shot went just wide. Not deterred by his recent misses, Villiers was soon rewarded when a Woking goal kick went straight to Kennedy. His heavy first touch landed perfectly in the path of Villiers whose first-time shot went bottom corner and gave the visitors the lead they deserved.
Werner, who was having one of the best games he’s had in a number of games, had two long range efforts. One effort was dribbled inside and was well-saved by the keeper. The other showed his quick feet as he skilled past a number of players and unleashed a good shot looking destined for the bottom corner, only to be denied by the post.
Gloucester lead was doubled soon after when another good delivery by Taylor from a corner was blocked by a Woking defender only to land at the feet of Mason. Turning inwards, Mason thrashes at the ball and smashes home from 7 yards to gain his first goal of the season (at the right end!).
A scene some thought would never come. A urine sample was taken after the game to test whether the straight shot was genuine. Results to follow.
Finishing off the half, Boakes comes out to capture a long ball over the top and releases the ball quickly to Werner. His pass to Mulraney is given to Jones, who gives to Kennedy, who passes onwards to Bee. His quick cross-come-shot perfectly goes over the keeper and into the far corner of the net to finish a brilliant team move.
The second half see Gloucester continue to try and play the right type of football and this time saw even more fruit bared. Early chances for Jones see both efforts go around the keeper but deflected over the bar before a foul just outside the box allows trusty Mulraney to step up and place his free-kick into the top corner and add another good finish to his repertoire of free-kicks.
Goals then just continued to come for the away team. Villiers wins the ball back on the halfway line and takes advantage of Woking attacking and runs at an open defence and oncoming keeper. Slotting through his legs, Villiers bags his brace and Gloucester’s fifth.
Another foul outside the Woking area, but on the left side of the box allows Taylor to step up and try and bag his own goal. A nicely struck ball over the wall and the keeper and into the back of the net makes it six.
Taylor then follows this up with another great delivery from a corner where Fisher seemingly unmarked unleashed this perfect volley that appeared just behind him into the corner of the net - giving the defenders and keeper no chance to defend it.
Jones then shows his power, running through a number of Woking defenders before laying off Bee for a one-on-one. His effort over the keeper was touched by the keeper’s hand and landed towards the goal, only for Fisher to get there before the defender and slot into an empty net.
Woking had put a number of balls into Gloucester’s half as the game went on. The majority were swept up brilliantly by Mason and Werner and in particular Taylor, who was filling in the gap at the back with Ball missing. Boakes continued to always be an options and a number of times joined in with play to allow the boys to continue playing football instead of kicking the ball out.
Boakes was put to the test on one particular occasion when Peters (upfront), who had peppered the Gloucester defence on the few occasions he could, found his way through on goal and was about to finish when Boakes leapt bravely at his feet on the edge of the area to save any possible chance of danger to his clean sheet.
The last bit of glory went to Gloucester when Fisher showed great strength down the left side of the area to get around a few players. His low cross into the danger area saw Kennedy waiting and thrash home and make it nine.
Although energy seemed to only be at about 60-70%, the boys showed signs of trying to do what was asked and developing as a team, not just as individuals. Hopefully, we can build on that in the coming weeks and find as much joy going forwards as we did this week.
Upon finishing, getting changed, eating(ish) and leaving, another attempt was made for a video for Ball. This time, it just about worked as you can see below. The boys wanted to win for Kai and to give him his ‘get well’ message, which you can see below :-)
Gloucester: Boakes (Dory); Mason (Bambi), Ball (Bully), Mulraney (Mullers), Villiers (JV), Bee (Balalala), Kennedy (Rowling), Taylor (Piglet), Fisher (Fish), Werner (DLM), Jones (Lord Fartquaad).
With Tony Pony now left to force the Mayor of Gloucester into doing some kick-ups and penalties (not at the same time) at Longlevens and Ball still unable to play as the doctors continue to try and understand how a concussion can happen to someone with no brain, the boys set course on another London-way trip.
The standard Services stop went by with nobody going missing, no-one elaborately spending top-dollar on (what can only be described as) ‘tat’. The boys did however show that we are not destined to have a group of thespians, when Coach Harris decided to do the get well video for Kai - adding in some comedy value. What was to come was a few drivelling attempts at following a script and acting skills that could only be befitting of finding its place on Hollyoaks. Attempts for a video were postponed.
The B team arrived at Knaphill and were pleasantly surprised to see a parent of ours. Mr Jones had decided to travel alone and support the boys and while the coaches were sorting the equipment out, Mr Jones was keeping them busy with some guacamole chant video of some sorts.
Onwards to the game and the coaches had been trying of late to encourage the boys to play quicker and simpler football while getting them to think about how they can join up with play when attacking as a team - instead of ‘waiting to see what happens next’.
Now although, it was a relatively slow start, you could see that the majority of the boys were trying follow those instructions. Some early signs down the left by Mulraney and Werner showed good link-up play and overlapping of each other to get at the Woking defence.
The first five minutes showed the pattern of the game. Gloucester would have the ball in Woking’s half for the majority of the time. However, when Woking retrieved the ball, they would come at Gloucester rather quickly and the defence would have to be on hand to mop up any counter attacks.
Villiers had Gloucester’s first few efforts. Following a corner from Taylor, Villiers connected well with his shot that was saved by the keeper. This was followed by a good move between Werner, Jones and Villiers - whose resulting shot went just wide. Not deterred by his recent misses, Villiers was soon rewarded when a Woking goal kick went straight to Kennedy. His heavy first touch landed perfectly in the path of Villiers whose first-time shot went bottom corner and gave the visitors the lead they deserved.
Werner, who was having one of the best games he’s had in a number of games, had two long range efforts. One effort was dribbled inside and was well-saved by the keeper. The other showed his quick feet as he skilled past a number of players and unleashed a good shot looking destined for the bottom corner, only to be denied by the post.
Gloucester lead was doubled soon after when another good delivery by Taylor from a corner was blocked by a Woking defender only to land at the feet of Mason. Turning inwards, Mason thrashes at the ball and smashes home from 7 yards to gain his first goal of the season (at the right end!).
A scene some thought would never come. A urine sample was taken after the game to test whether the straight shot was genuine. Results to follow.
Finishing off the half, Boakes comes out to capture a long ball over the top and releases the ball quickly to Werner. His pass to Mulraney is given to Jones, who gives to Kennedy, who passes onwards to Bee. His quick cross-come-shot perfectly goes over the keeper and into the far corner of the net to finish a brilliant team move.
The second half see Gloucester continue to try and play the right type of football and this time saw even more fruit bared. Early chances for Jones see both efforts go around the keeper but deflected over the bar before a foul just outside the box allows trusty Mulraney to step up and place his free-kick into the top corner and add another good finish to his repertoire of free-kicks.
Goals then just continued to come for the away team. Villiers wins the ball back on the halfway line and takes advantage of Woking attacking and runs at an open defence and oncoming keeper. Slotting through his legs, Villiers bags his brace and Gloucester’s fifth.
Another foul outside the Woking area, but on the left side of the box allows Taylor to step up and try and bag his own goal. A nicely struck ball over the wall and the keeper and into the back of the net makes it six.
Taylor then follows this up with another great delivery from a corner where Fisher seemingly unmarked unleashed this perfect volley that appeared just behind him into the corner of the net - giving the defenders and keeper no chance to defend it.
Jones then shows his power, running through a number of Woking defenders before laying off Bee for a one-on-one. His effort over the keeper was touched by the keeper’s hand and landed towards the goal, only for Fisher to get there before the defender and slot into an empty net.
Woking had put a number of balls into Gloucester’s half as the game went on. The majority were swept up brilliantly by Mason and Werner and in particular Taylor, who was filling in the gap at the back with Ball missing. Boakes continued to always be an options and a number of times joined in with play to allow the boys to continue playing football instead of kicking the ball out.
Boakes was put to the test on one particular occasion when Peters (upfront), who had peppered the Gloucester defence on the few occasions he could, found his way through on goal and was about to finish when Boakes leapt bravely at his feet on the edge of the area to save any possible chance of danger to his clean sheet.
The last bit of glory went to Gloucester when Fisher showed great strength down the left side of the area to get around a few players. His low cross into the danger area saw Kennedy waiting and thrash home and make it nine.
Although energy seemed to only be at about 60-70%, the boys showed signs of trying to do what was asked and developing as a team, not just as individuals. Hopefully, we can build on that in the coming weeks and find as much joy going forwards as we did this week.
Upon finishing, getting changed, eating(ish) and leaving, another attempt was made for a video for Ball. This time, it just about worked as you can see below. The boys wanted to win for Kai and to give him his ‘get well’ message, which you can see below :-)
Gloucester: Boakes (Dory); Mason (Bambi), Ball (Bully), Mulraney (Mullers), Villiers (JV), Bee (Balalala), Kennedy (Rowling), Taylor (Piglet), Fisher (Fish), Werner (DLM), Jones (Lord Fartquaad).
