Teamwork makes the dream work!
After one of the most successful tours for Gloucester at a Jersey Festival and even the most successful for a B team, the Bs welcomed a team that would put everything they’ve learnt to the test. Erdington A team have been on a superb run since the New Year and play with an ‘inner city’ edge that would mean the boys having to be at their best to not spoil their own good run of form.
Gloucester started the sloppier of the two teams and it was clear that Erdington had some very strong players who were going to put it about. Gloucester did try to get the ball down at times, but lacked that concise play that could send them past their opponents.
Erdington started to pressure the home goal. In my notes, it just said “How have Erdington not scored yet?” The visitors looked incredibly threatening from corners and came close a number of times. One being scrambled away on the 6 yard line before a shot was unleashed, a shot from Samuel in Midfield looked destined for ‘top bins’ until Boakes leapt through the air and pushed over the bar and Markie (who had up until this point bossed the game) missed a simple header from 3 yards - putting it wide of the post.
Gloucester gained their first proper opportunity when Mulraney unleashed a long range free-kick which looked to be heading into the bottom corner of the net until Peakes in goal saved for a corner. From the resulting corner Fisher floated the ball over the top of the scrambling boys in the middle of the goal where Jones was waiting for another ‘trademark’ header and put the home team 1-0 up.
The second half saw the Yellows come out with real fight and determination and within 45 seconds reaped the rewards. Great pressure from the front boys meant that Erdington gave the ball away near the half way line. A perfect quick-thinking ball over the top from Taylor floated its way into the box and Fisher finished with a sublime controlled volley past the keeper, doubling the lead.
Erdington seemed to absorb the pressure for some time before finding their way back into the game. Their first chance of the half got them back into the match. Erdington’s own Calllum had threatened a number of times to cause trouble, but this time he ran through a number of Gloucester players before Kiran hit a perfect left-footed curler into the goal from 20 yards.
The Birmingham outfit continued to pressure the home end until the end and if truth be told could’ve and maybe should’ve found their way to at least the draw. However, one thing that made me incredibly proud was the effort that was put in as a ‘team’. I feel that Erdington were not only kept out by a determined team, but also played a part in their own downfall by acting more as individuals. As we’re coming to the end of the season and I become more reflective, that is definitely one thing that has improved greatly. The desire and determination to work together has been far greater than that since before Christmas.
Well done Gents!
Gloucester: Boakes, Mason, Ball, Werner; Taylor, Kennedy, Villiers, Mulraney, Fisher; Jones, Bee.
Gloucester started the sloppier of the two teams and it was clear that Erdington had some very strong players who were going to put it about. Gloucester did try to get the ball down at times, but lacked that concise play that could send them past their opponents.
Erdington started to pressure the home goal. In my notes, it just said “How have Erdington not scored yet?” The visitors looked incredibly threatening from corners and came close a number of times. One being scrambled away on the 6 yard line before a shot was unleashed, a shot from Samuel in Midfield looked destined for ‘top bins’ until Boakes leapt through the air and pushed over the bar and Markie (who had up until this point bossed the game) missed a simple header from 3 yards - putting it wide of the post.
Gloucester gained their first proper opportunity when Mulraney unleashed a long range free-kick which looked to be heading into the bottom corner of the net until Peakes in goal saved for a corner. From the resulting corner Fisher floated the ball over the top of the scrambling boys in the middle of the goal where Jones was waiting for another ‘trademark’ header and put the home team 1-0 up.
The second half saw the Yellows come out with real fight and determination and within 45 seconds reaped the rewards. Great pressure from the front boys meant that Erdington gave the ball away near the half way line. A perfect quick-thinking ball over the top from Taylor floated its way into the box and Fisher finished with a sublime controlled volley past the keeper, doubling the lead.
Erdington seemed to absorb the pressure for some time before finding their way back into the game. Their first chance of the half got them back into the match. Erdington’s own Calllum had threatened a number of times to cause trouble, but this time he ran through a number of Gloucester players before Kiran hit a perfect left-footed curler into the goal from 20 yards.
The Birmingham outfit continued to pressure the home end until the end and if truth be told could’ve and maybe should’ve found their way to at least the draw. However, one thing that made me incredibly proud was the effort that was put in as a ‘team’. I feel that Erdington were not only kept out by a determined team, but also played a part in their own downfall by acting more as individuals. As we’re coming to the end of the season and I become more reflective, that is definitely one thing that has improved greatly. The desire and determination to work together has been far greater than that since before Christmas.
Well done Gents!
Gloucester: Boakes, Mason, Ball, Werner; Taylor, Kennedy, Villiers, Mulraney, Fisher; Jones, Bee.
