Gloucester 2-1 Stevenage by Henry Winkler
Gloucester Schools’ A Squad registered their first victory of the season with an excellent Southern Counties Cup win over a talented Stevenage side at Longlevens.
Gloucester had slightly the better of the early exchanges, but from virtually their first attack the visitors took the lead with a fine goal – Molton heading home Oseni’s left wing cross at the far post.
Smith went close to levelling after pressurising the Stevenage keeper and a fine run and cross from Liggett flashed across the face of the visitors’ goal with no-one able to get the decisive touch; Stevenage though always looked dangerous and a well struck effort from Flecknell at the other end was saved by Cornwell.
On the stroke of half time however the hosts grabbed the equaliser their efforts deserved, Smith pouncing on a loose ball to drive just inside the far post from ten yards.
The second half saw play switch from end to end, but the Gloucester backline with Mclean, Blackburn and Lawson displaying admirable commitment and no little skill, quelled much of Stevenage’s attacking threat. In front of them Jones was as obdurate and clever as ever, while Cornwell didn’t put a foot (or hand) wrong throughout.
While the first part of the second period produced few direct chances with the respective midfields matching each other tackle for tackle and pass for pass, the final quarter was certainly worth waiting for.
Chamberlain’s fine right wing cross just evaded everyone, before the same player played in Blacker, but the centre forward’s effort beat both the keeper and the far post.
Liggett then played in Blacker again and this time the city skipper’s drive was touched on to the post by Scutchings, though two minutes later and from their only outright chance of the half, Hnatiuk struck the inside of the hosts’ far post when put through one-on-one with Cornwell.
Back came Gloucester and with two minutes remaining they grabbed the winner. The Stevenage keeper carried the ball outside the box and from the resulting free kick Liggett drove an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Blacker went close to adding a third before the final whistle brought a very watchable encounter to a close and with it a newly discovered emotion called Joyreliefthrilled. Yes, it was that sort of day.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Blackburn, Mclean, Lawson; Blacker, Jones, Liggett, Clifford; Smith. Subs: Chamberlain, Wilkes.
Gloucester had slightly the better of the early exchanges, but from virtually their first attack the visitors took the lead with a fine goal – Molton heading home Oseni’s left wing cross at the far post.
Smith went close to levelling after pressurising the Stevenage keeper and a fine run and cross from Liggett flashed across the face of the visitors’ goal with no-one able to get the decisive touch; Stevenage though always looked dangerous and a well struck effort from Flecknell at the other end was saved by Cornwell.
On the stroke of half time however the hosts grabbed the equaliser their efforts deserved, Smith pouncing on a loose ball to drive just inside the far post from ten yards.
The second half saw play switch from end to end, but the Gloucester backline with Mclean, Blackburn and Lawson displaying admirable commitment and no little skill, quelled much of Stevenage’s attacking threat. In front of them Jones was as obdurate and clever as ever, while Cornwell didn’t put a foot (or hand) wrong throughout.
While the first part of the second period produced few direct chances with the respective midfields matching each other tackle for tackle and pass for pass, the final quarter was certainly worth waiting for.
Chamberlain’s fine right wing cross just evaded everyone, before the same player played in Blacker, but the centre forward’s effort beat both the keeper and the far post.
Liggett then played in Blacker again and this time the city skipper’s drive was touched on to the post by Scutchings, though two minutes later and from their only outright chance of the half, Hnatiuk struck the inside of the hosts’ far post when put through one-on-one with Cornwell.
Back came Gloucester and with two minutes remaining they grabbed the winner. The Stevenage keeper carried the ball outside the box and from the resulting free kick Liggett drove an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
Blacker went close to adding a third before the final whistle brought a very watchable encounter to a close and with it a newly discovered emotion called Joyreliefthrilled. Yes, it was that sort of day.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Blackburn, Mclean, Lawson; Blacker, Jones, Liggett, Clifford; Smith. Subs: Chamberlain, Wilkes.
