A little grit can go a long way
For the first time in weeks, the team consisted of all its players and the boys were in good spirits heading to Wolverhampton. The noise levels on the bus soon reminded us that Little Harris had rejoined us and the songs of a ridiculous nature ensued. Two games of the flip coin game saw Burr and Young as champions.
The boys arrived at the ground and made their way over the sludge path to the pitch - some with wetter feet than others!
With the coaches looking for a response after last week, the slightly cold but moist weather paved the way for a good battle between both teams. Gloucester started very well and seemed to have a lot more of the determination that is required to compete at this level.
The first opportunity came when good work through the middle of the pitch put DBalkwill through on the right-side. His cross found its way through the area to Badham at the back post. His shot was heading for the top left until Bass in goal leapt and saved for a corner.
Wolves then went straight down the other end and started to pepper the Gloucester area. Although standing resolute, the away team couldn’t put their foot through the ball to actually clear their lines meaning the homesters kept coming at them. After a great save from GBalkwill, Wolves finally found their way through. The lack of a clearance from a number of defending players meant that Cantwell picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drove a shot low to give the hosts the lead.
Gloucester then fought their way back in with efforts from Badham again after good work from Little Harris, Ball and Fogg. Sadly, the keeper saved these but was unable to keep out Ball’s shot from the edge of the box after good work in midfield from Young.
The second-third saw both teams create a number of chances to go ahead. Further opportunities for the Blacks fell for Ball who put his effort round the post and Badham, put through by Butcher, had his effort saved again.
Little Harris had his moment of wax on-wax off and decided to karate chop down Wolves’ winger, Burgall in the area. The subsequent penalty was slotted into the bottom corner nicely - giving the Yellows the lead once more.
Again, Gloucester responded well. In the wake of Gloucester’s determination to find an equaliser, the defence of Little Harris, Evans and Burr did really well to get in the way of a number of counter-attacks and push the ball forwards. Butcher received the ball in the middle of the park and set DBalkwill through on the right side. His touch into the box meant that he could unleash s hot that looked destined for ‘top-bins’ until Bass made a fingertip save to push over for a corner.
In the final third of the game, the match seemed to carry on in pattern with both teams going for more gaols and everything looking relatively equal.
A throw to Moroney was followed by a great pass from him to Ball. His through ball to Badham put him round the keeper, but the defender stepped in to clear well. Moroney then put through DBalkwill who crossed to Ball and found his shot saved.
Wolves, still attacking Gloucester’s goal with every chance they had found their way into the box. A mad scramble for what seemed like an eternity finally led to a shot from Burgall finding its way past GBalkwill - only for Burr to have got back onto the line and clear brilliantly. This was followed up by another shot towards goal, but GBalkwill saving well and keeping the final score at 2-1 to the home team.
This was a much better performance from the boys and a happier trip all round. A little more grit and determination from all and things will step up once more.
Gloucester B: G.Balkwill, J.Moroney, C.Evans, R.Burr, J.Young, D.Balkwill, G.Ball, J.Fogg, L.Badham, H.Butcher, J.Harris
The boys arrived at the ground and made their way over the sludge path to the pitch - some with wetter feet than others!
With the coaches looking for a response after last week, the slightly cold but moist weather paved the way for a good battle between both teams. Gloucester started very well and seemed to have a lot more of the determination that is required to compete at this level.
The first opportunity came when good work through the middle of the pitch put DBalkwill through on the right-side. His cross found its way through the area to Badham at the back post. His shot was heading for the top left until Bass in goal leapt and saved for a corner.
Wolves then went straight down the other end and started to pepper the Gloucester area. Although standing resolute, the away team couldn’t put their foot through the ball to actually clear their lines meaning the homesters kept coming at them. After a great save from GBalkwill, Wolves finally found their way through. The lack of a clearance from a number of defending players meant that Cantwell picked up the ball on the edge of the area and drove a shot low to give the hosts the lead.
Gloucester then fought their way back in with efforts from Badham again after good work from Little Harris, Ball and Fogg. Sadly, the keeper saved these but was unable to keep out Ball’s shot from the edge of the box after good work in midfield from Young.
The second-third saw both teams create a number of chances to go ahead. Further opportunities for the Blacks fell for Ball who put his effort round the post and Badham, put through by Butcher, had his effort saved again.
Little Harris had his moment of wax on-wax off and decided to karate chop down Wolves’ winger, Burgall in the area. The subsequent penalty was slotted into the bottom corner nicely - giving the Yellows the lead once more.
Again, Gloucester responded well. In the wake of Gloucester’s determination to find an equaliser, the defence of Little Harris, Evans and Burr did really well to get in the way of a number of counter-attacks and push the ball forwards. Butcher received the ball in the middle of the park and set DBalkwill through on the right side. His touch into the box meant that he could unleash s hot that looked destined for ‘top-bins’ until Bass made a fingertip save to push over for a corner.
In the final third of the game, the match seemed to carry on in pattern with both teams going for more gaols and everything looking relatively equal.
A throw to Moroney was followed by a great pass from him to Ball. His through ball to Badham put him round the keeper, but the defender stepped in to clear well. Moroney then put through DBalkwill who crossed to Ball and found his shot saved.
Wolves, still attacking Gloucester’s goal with every chance they had found their way into the box. A mad scramble for what seemed like an eternity finally led to a shot from Burgall finding its way past GBalkwill - only for Burr to have got back onto the line and clear brilliantly. This was followed up by another shot towards goal, but GBalkwill saving well and keeping the final score at 2-1 to the home team.
This was a much better performance from the boys and a happier trip all round. A little more grit and determination from all and things will step up once more.
Gloucester B: G.Balkwill, J.Moroney, C.Evans, R.Burr, J.Young, D.Balkwill, G.Ball, J.Fogg, L.Badham, H.Butcher, J.Harris
