GPSFA A Vs Potters Bar
Saturday 19th September 2015
Gloucester Schools’ A & B squads hosted Hertfordshire association Potters Bar - the A Team opening with a heavy defeat, though as the mist lifted the home club’s fortunes followed suit.
Gloucester A 1 Potters Bar A 7 by Phil Smith
Gloucester’s A Squad experienced a chastening opening to their representative season, sliding to a comprehensive defeat against a talented Potters Bar outfit at Longlevens.
With the overnight mist still enveloping the ground, the visitors went ahead in the 12th minute through a great hit from Roberts, but Gore’s strike from the edge of the box that went in via the far post six minutes later restored parity for a short while.
Hummel however forced himself through several challenges to put Potters Bar ahead and a rather fortuitous effort from Clark shortly afterwards extended their lead.
A fine pass from Gore almost played in Townsend on the stroke of half time, but the city player was denied by the impressive Bar keeper.
Three minutes after the break the hosts gifted Hummel his second of the day, but at the other end Gloucester went close as Roddis set up Townsend whose drive was turned away by Akinola.
The Londoners continued to drive forwards and Roberts was thwarted by a combination of Troke and Gore, but the same player soon added number five with a fine strike into the top corner.
With the game becoming more and more open, Jenner went close to reducing the arrears on several occasions but the striker either saw his efforts saved or flash just the wrong side of the post.
At the other end however Gibbs added to Gloucester’s woes and another excellent finish saw Roberts complete both his treble and Bar’s victory.
Gloucester: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Gore, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Townsend.
While this was a comprehensive defeat for the home side, the players must be aware that today’s opposition was of a very high standard. One of a number of positives that can be taken from the game was the effort of every player from start to finish – it is one thing to maintain your effort when you’re winning, but when you are being well beaten by a very good team, it is much harder to do.
A second positive is that when allowed, everyone tried to pass the ball and play properly – not always easy when facing a team that is on top for much of the time. The midfield created a fair number of chances, particularly in the second half and Fin Jenner showed he will be a threat up front. Despite conceding seven times, there were some good defensive moments and all the back line tried to use the ball constructively once they had won it.
Three things to consider for next week: (1) pressing the ball more effectively when out of possession (2) midfield players getting goal side of their closest player as quickly as possible and (3) make the ball do the work more; pass and move more quickly.
Gloucester Schools’ A & B squads hosted Hertfordshire association Potters Bar - the A Team opening with a heavy defeat, though as the mist lifted the home club’s fortunes followed suit.
Gloucester A 1 Potters Bar A 7 by Phil Smith
Gloucester’s A Squad experienced a chastening opening to their representative season, sliding to a comprehensive defeat against a talented Potters Bar outfit at Longlevens.
With the overnight mist still enveloping the ground, the visitors went ahead in the 12th minute through a great hit from Roberts, but Gore’s strike from the edge of the box that went in via the far post six minutes later restored parity for a short while.
Hummel however forced himself through several challenges to put Potters Bar ahead and a rather fortuitous effort from Clark shortly afterwards extended their lead.
A fine pass from Gore almost played in Townsend on the stroke of half time, but the city player was denied by the impressive Bar keeper.
Three minutes after the break the hosts gifted Hummel his second of the day, but at the other end Gloucester went close as Roddis set up Townsend whose drive was turned away by Akinola.
The Londoners continued to drive forwards and Roberts was thwarted by a combination of Troke and Gore, but the same player soon added number five with a fine strike into the top corner.
With the game becoming more and more open, Jenner went close to reducing the arrears on several occasions but the striker either saw his efforts saved or flash just the wrong side of the post.
At the other end however Gibbs added to Gloucester’s woes and another excellent finish saw Roberts complete both his treble and Bar’s victory.
Gloucester: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Gore, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Townsend.
While this was a comprehensive defeat for the home side, the players must be aware that today’s opposition was of a very high standard. One of a number of positives that can be taken from the game was the effort of every player from start to finish – it is one thing to maintain your effort when you’re winning, but when you are being well beaten by a very good team, it is much harder to do.
A second positive is that when allowed, everyone tried to pass the ball and play properly – not always easy when facing a team that is on top for much of the time. The midfield created a fair number of chances, particularly in the second half and Fin Jenner showed he will be a threat up front. Despite conceding seven times, there were some good defensive moments and all the back line tried to use the ball constructively once they had won it.
Three things to consider for next week: (1) pressing the ball more effectively when out of possession (2) midfield players getting goal side of their closest player as quickly as possible and (3) make the ball do the work more; pass and move more quickly.
