Double or Quits!
In the past two weeks, Gloucester B, winning two out of two, had doubled their wins tally for the season thus far. Another little trip London way was the destination for the B team’s next two fixtures - both held on the same morning versus Harpenden.
The outing once again started at stupid o’clock in the morning, where Coach Harris and the boys were patiently waiting for Coach Wixey in the freezing cold wondering whether the old man had drunk one too many Ovaltines the night before and overslept. Luckily, he hadn’t and used the excuse of “de-icing the minibus on the inside too”. The boys were very loud and eager to go, so off we went….finally!
The services stop had its normal array of Coach Harris eating too much, Coach Wixey going to Greggs, The Balkwills wondering around questioning where they are and what they buy there, Butcher buying rubbish and Little Harris purchasing his chocolate mini rolls to share.
The boys arrive at the ground and are loving getting changed in the minibus - especially Moroney, having the delight of getting changed to Burr who needs metres of space around him.
Onto the pitch and it’s noticeable that playing much football on the sticky small surface is going to be a good test for the boys.
The game starts with Gloucester going slightly uphill meaning that the boys have to get the ball down and try to work the ball into the opposition half. The boys seemed to do this well and countered at the opposition (both games in fact) with great speed at times.
After Foggy had a great shot smash off the post, Badham’s follow up went inches wide of the post. However, Ball claiming that he scored from outside the box, picked up the ball near the halfway line and ran towards their goal. Shielding the ball well, he unleashed a shot “outside the box” the was deflected in. We, the jury (including his Mother) have decided that the verdict is ‘Own Goal!’ :-)
It was only talked about before the game that DBalkwill and Evans were the only two outfield players not to score so far this season. With Ball being brought down in the penalty area, shouts of “Caden” could be heard for miles to take the penalty. With Evans running up to take it, he fired it low only for the keeper to get down and save it. Luckily though, his save rebounded back out to Evans who made sure he bagged his first goal of the season.
Ball, then bagged his hat-trick in a matter of minutes. After good work from Foggy, his through ball put Ball in on goal. His touch around the keeper meant that an open goal was waiting for the ball to be slotted into. This was quickly followed by a great ball in from Harris’ corner found Ball at the back post and an easy header to put the visitors four goals up.
Harpenden reminded Gloucester that they were still in for the fight when a long range shot looked like it was flying over GBalkwill, only for him to brilliantly fingertip save and sadly see the ball land back out to Wincham who finishes well to make it 4-1.
Goal poaching at its best, saw Ball double his goal tally for the season. Butcher did brilliantly well to fashion a shot for himself which dribbled towards goal. Ball however, made sure that it went in when he smashed it in from 1 yard. Butcher then had one cleared off the line after superb link up play between Young and DBalkwill. However, when Ball was brought down again in the penalty area, cries of “Dylan” could be heard for miles. With trepidation, you could see that he was nervous about stepping up to take it. However, in the moment, a superb and clean finish into the bottom left meant that both Evans and DBalkwill had put themselves on the scorers list for the season.
Gloucester finished the game under pressure. Evans and Moroney were called into play a number of times to cut out attacks and any that did get through GBalkwill managed to save. Despite the pressure, it was the visitors that bagged two more. Badham followed up well to finish a Butcher shot that was saved and Ball once again scored after lovely link-up play with Foggy and Badham.
The game finished 8-1, but the warning signs were there that the next game was possibly going to be a little more difficult.
GAME NUMBER TWO
The first half was a very different affair than the previous game. The HT score could have been 5-5, but luckily for Gloucester GBalkwill was on hand to constantly deny their threat and we managed to bag two goals ourselves.
Harpenden were definitely playing the better football in the first half and created a number of chances for the ever-threatening Crawford upfront. His pace running at our defence was causing a number of issues, but the ever-flexible GBalkwill was on hand to save with whatever part of his body he could get in the way and stop them scoring.
However, at the other end Gloucester were also creating a number of chances. Moroney, leading the charge upfront had a few shots that were saved or went wide and Badham also had a couple of chances - one 2 yards out, but lost his balance and the ball flew past. It wasn’t until a Little Harris corner that somehow, in the midst of some chaotic play, Moroney swung in a shot and found its way through a number of people and landed in the goal.
Just like busses, sometimes you wait for ages and then two come along at once. With nice play down the left by Foggy, the ball found its way to Young, who put the ball across the edge of the box for DBalkwill. His well hit half volley stayed low and fired its way into the bottom corner - giving the Yellows a bit of breathing space.
With a bit of a kick up the backside at HT, the team finished the day how they deserved to finish the day. Despite what had gone one in the previous game, this was probably their most dominant half.
Young started the scoring rout with a brilliant one-two with DBalkwill. The latter finding the pass back to Young on the edge of the area and a first time hit into the top corner finished a nice move. This was quickly followed by DBalkwill bagging another assist, getting beyond his man and passing across the box to Ball for an easy finish from a few yards.
Finally, Harpenden reaped a reward for their brilliant efforts when another through ball was put on a plate for Crawford to slot home. However, within minutes of the kick off, Ball had bagged his SEVENTH and final goal of the day with a goal showing what he’d done brilliantly all morning in shielding others off the ball and creating space from himself to shoot.
With Harpenden looking to counter attack, Moroney won the ball back on the half way line and spaghetti-legged his way through a number of players before giving the ball to Young who fired home.
The final goal of the game was fantastic. The ball was won in midfield by Evans and fizzed into Young, whose first touch was sublime and took him away from the defender across the edge of the box and unleashed a left foot hit top bins - capping off a very convincing half and even more convincing morning.
Credit must go to the Harpenden boys (Coach and Parents) whose attitude and effort was superb in what was a hard morning’s work. They could’ve easily got their heads down, but they persisted brilliantly and if it wasn’t for catching GBalkwill on a good day, they could’ve easily scored a number more.
Hopefully however, our boys are starting to really show the glimpses of potential they showed at times in the first half of the season.
The trip home again was quite standard. The parents ended up at the same services again and we couldn’t quite work out who was more embarrassed of whom - them at us or us at them! On the McDonalds order, Chicken Nuggets were very popular - as was Milkshakes and Burr orders a Big Mac without knowing what it is and then not eating it because of all the salad.
Butcher comes back with two of the most ridiculous buys in GPSFA history - two Big teddy hand warmers. Mother Butcher was not too pleased and had a quick moan, but immediately put her hands inside the teddies to keep them warm….whilst talking about her displeasure.
All in all, a good day’s work. A happy bunch of parents. A very pleased pair of coaches and a jubilant group of B-teamers.
Gloucester B: G.Balkwill, J.Harris, C.Evans, J.Moroney, R.Burr, J.Young, D.Balkwill, G.Ball, J.Fogg, L.Badham, H.Butcher
The outing once again started at stupid o’clock in the morning, where Coach Harris and the boys were patiently waiting for Coach Wixey in the freezing cold wondering whether the old man had drunk one too many Ovaltines the night before and overslept. Luckily, he hadn’t and used the excuse of “de-icing the minibus on the inside too”. The boys were very loud and eager to go, so off we went….finally!
The services stop had its normal array of Coach Harris eating too much, Coach Wixey going to Greggs, The Balkwills wondering around questioning where they are and what they buy there, Butcher buying rubbish and Little Harris purchasing his chocolate mini rolls to share.
The boys arrive at the ground and are loving getting changed in the minibus - especially Moroney, having the delight of getting changed to Burr who needs metres of space around him.
Onto the pitch and it’s noticeable that playing much football on the sticky small surface is going to be a good test for the boys.
The game starts with Gloucester going slightly uphill meaning that the boys have to get the ball down and try to work the ball into the opposition half. The boys seemed to do this well and countered at the opposition (both games in fact) with great speed at times.
After Foggy had a great shot smash off the post, Badham’s follow up went inches wide of the post. However, Ball claiming that he scored from outside the box, picked up the ball near the halfway line and ran towards their goal. Shielding the ball well, he unleashed a shot “outside the box” the was deflected in. We, the jury (including his Mother) have decided that the verdict is ‘Own Goal!’ :-)
It was only talked about before the game that DBalkwill and Evans were the only two outfield players not to score so far this season. With Ball being brought down in the penalty area, shouts of “Caden” could be heard for miles to take the penalty. With Evans running up to take it, he fired it low only for the keeper to get down and save it. Luckily though, his save rebounded back out to Evans who made sure he bagged his first goal of the season.
Ball, then bagged his hat-trick in a matter of minutes. After good work from Foggy, his through ball put Ball in on goal. His touch around the keeper meant that an open goal was waiting for the ball to be slotted into. This was quickly followed by a great ball in from Harris’ corner found Ball at the back post and an easy header to put the visitors four goals up.
Harpenden reminded Gloucester that they were still in for the fight when a long range shot looked like it was flying over GBalkwill, only for him to brilliantly fingertip save and sadly see the ball land back out to Wincham who finishes well to make it 4-1.
Goal poaching at its best, saw Ball double his goal tally for the season. Butcher did brilliantly well to fashion a shot for himself which dribbled towards goal. Ball however, made sure that it went in when he smashed it in from 1 yard. Butcher then had one cleared off the line after superb link up play between Young and DBalkwill. However, when Ball was brought down again in the penalty area, cries of “Dylan” could be heard for miles. With trepidation, you could see that he was nervous about stepping up to take it. However, in the moment, a superb and clean finish into the bottom left meant that both Evans and DBalkwill had put themselves on the scorers list for the season.
Gloucester finished the game under pressure. Evans and Moroney were called into play a number of times to cut out attacks and any that did get through GBalkwill managed to save. Despite the pressure, it was the visitors that bagged two more. Badham followed up well to finish a Butcher shot that was saved and Ball once again scored after lovely link-up play with Foggy and Badham.
The game finished 8-1, but the warning signs were there that the next game was possibly going to be a little more difficult.
GAME NUMBER TWO
The first half was a very different affair than the previous game. The HT score could have been 5-5, but luckily for Gloucester GBalkwill was on hand to constantly deny their threat and we managed to bag two goals ourselves.
Harpenden were definitely playing the better football in the first half and created a number of chances for the ever-threatening Crawford upfront. His pace running at our defence was causing a number of issues, but the ever-flexible GBalkwill was on hand to save with whatever part of his body he could get in the way and stop them scoring.
However, at the other end Gloucester were also creating a number of chances. Moroney, leading the charge upfront had a few shots that were saved or went wide and Badham also had a couple of chances - one 2 yards out, but lost his balance and the ball flew past. It wasn’t until a Little Harris corner that somehow, in the midst of some chaotic play, Moroney swung in a shot and found its way through a number of people and landed in the goal.
Just like busses, sometimes you wait for ages and then two come along at once. With nice play down the left by Foggy, the ball found its way to Young, who put the ball across the edge of the box for DBalkwill. His well hit half volley stayed low and fired its way into the bottom corner - giving the Yellows a bit of breathing space.
With a bit of a kick up the backside at HT, the team finished the day how they deserved to finish the day. Despite what had gone one in the previous game, this was probably their most dominant half.
Young started the scoring rout with a brilliant one-two with DBalkwill. The latter finding the pass back to Young on the edge of the area and a first time hit into the top corner finished a nice move. This was quickly followed by DBalkwill bagging another assist, getting beyond his man and passing across the box to Ball for an easy finish from a few yards.
Finally, Harpenden reaped a reward for their brilliant efforts when another through ball was put on a plate for Crawford to slot home. However, within minutes of the kick off, Ball had bagged his SEVENTH and final goal of the day with a goal showing what he’d done brilliantly all morning in shielding others off the ball and creating space from himself to shoot.
With Harpenden looking to counter attack, Moroney won the ball back on the half way line and spaghetti-legged his way through a number of players before giving the ball to Young who fired home.
The final goal of the game was fantastic. The ball was won in midfield by Evans and fizzed into Young, whose first touch was sublime and took him away from the defender across the edge of the box and unleashed a left foot hit top bins - capping off a very convincing half and even more convincing morning.
Credit must go to the Harpenden boys (Coach and Parents) whose attitude and effort was superb in what was a hard morning’s work. They could’ve easily got their heads down, but they persisted brilliantly and if it wasn’t for catching GBalkwill on a good day, they could’ve easily scored a number more.
Hopefully however, our boys are starting to really show the glimpses of potential they showed at times in the first half of the season.
The trip home again was quite standard. The parents ended up at the same services again and we couldn’t quite work out who was more embarrassed of whom - them at us or us at them! On the McDonalds order, Chicken Nuggets were very popular - as was Milkshakes and Burr orders a Big Mac without knowing what it is and then not eating it because of all the salad.
Butcher comes back with two of the most ridiculous buys in GPSFA history - two Big teddy hand warmers. Mother Butcher was not too pleased and had a quick moan, but immediately put her hands inside the teddies to keep them warm….whilst talking about her displeasure.
All in all, a good day’s work. A happy bunch of parents. A very pleased pair of coaches and a jubilant group of B-teamers.
Gloucester B: G.Balkwill, J.Harris, C.Evans, J.Moroney, R.Burr, J.Young, D.Balkwill, G.Ball, J.Fogg, L.Badham, H.Butcher
