Two’s Company, Three’s A Hoot by Jerome K.Jerome
Three. The first odd (and therefore) proper prime number and one of the most-used assemblages of fact, fiction and the apocryphy that lies somewhere in between. There were three men in a boat, three wise men, three men in a tub who said rub a dub dub and three blind mice, all of whom ran well. There were three musketeers until D’Artagnan joined and three horsemen of the apocalypse until one fell off. And when Gloucester Schools entertained Kent association Bexley in a holiday tri-fixture at Longlevens, the hosts completed a trophy treble in the space of three exciting hours in March, by chance the third month of the year.
A healthy midweek crowd numbering just shy of three figures had already been well entertained as Gloucester’s B Squad won the Geoff Richards League after edging out their Kent counterparts 3-2, Josh Mason’s late winner securing a hard-earned victory in a hugely watchable encounter. Gloucester’s girls’ squad retained the EW Girls’ Shield for the third consecutive season, sneaking home by the odd score in three, while a single goal in the thirteenth minute proved just enough for Gloucester’s A side to also complete a trio of consecutive EW Trophy victories.
Visitors Bexley were a technically excellent team who have to date enjoyed an extremely productive season. Already crowned Kent League champions and retaining a vested interest in the Gills Shield, Lester Finch Trophy and London Crisp Shield, they have every chance of completing at least a hat trick of competition successes, the neatness of their approach play and crispness of their pass-and-move approach was evident from the outset.
The hosts’ midfield contingent - Coldridge, Roddis, Gore, Townsend and latterly Hylton however worked tremendously hard to supress Bexley’s attacking potential for the duration of the contest and with the lively Jenner keeping the visiting defence on its toes, the city side always looked likely to break the deadlock. During the opening quarter Roddis, Gore and number three Richards each played thoughtful passes in behind the Bexley back line, but on all three occasions Penny, the Kentish keeper, was quickly off his line to thwart the Gloucester threat.
On thirteen minutes however the hosts claimed the lead, Gore’s neat pass inside taking out three visiting defenders and the predatory Jenner applying a fine left foot finish to register his thirty first score of the season.
Jenner and Roddis each went close to adding a second, though at the other end the city back three of Pledger, Richards and Weir-Roberts were forced into some solid defending, while Troke denied both Elliott and Turpin as well as dealing decisively with a trio of dangerous corners.
Bexley pushed forward as play resumed for the second period, the strong breeze now at their backs. Once more the home midfield worked tirelessly to support a determined back line and once more the excellent Troke denied the Bexley offensive, safely fielding two long range drives from Garcia before keeping out a close range effort from Arif.
Boyce fired just wide of the far post, Gore blocked Turpin’s close range effort inside the six yard box with Pledger completing the clearance and Connor headed over as Gloucester battened down the hatches. While it was Bexley that were largely on the offensive, the hosts always looked dangerous on the break however, Gore twice and Hylton almost playing in Jenner, but the resourceful Mitchell was alert to the threat on all three occasions.
With nine minutes remaining the city side were millimetres away from doubling their advantage, Gore’s well struck drive beating Penny and rebounding from the inside of both posts before Coldridge’s follow up effort was well blocked by Bower.
With the clock ticking down Troke produced another fine save from Elliott and Turpin’s free kick was deflected just wide by Richards, while central midfielders Roddis and Townsend continued to impress in their territorially-enforced defensive roles.
A number of second half, sniper-induced stoppages meant the three minutes of added time brought back still painful memories of the Sheriff of Nottingham’s pick-pocketing of the result in Gloucester’s last home fixture. But when Turpin’s sixty third minute free kick cannoned off the crossbar and flashed behind for a goal kick, the hosts were home if not completely dry after a second half that perfectly illustrated Thomas Edison’s elucidation that success is one per cent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration.
While Bexley may be left wondering how they didn’t register a single goal in the sixty three minutes of action, Gloucester will be thrilled that their resolve, determination and never-say-never attitude saw them to a fine victory against a very good and technically adept team. And to bring matters to a satisfyingly appropriate conclusion, at twenty to three in the afternoon the EW Trophy was presented to GPSFA skipper Alfie Pledger by Forest Green Rovers assistant manager and ex-Bexley Schools’ midfielder Jamie Day, to complete an extremely fruitful three hours for the home association.
Around thirteen hours later I awoke at around 3am and lapsed into a period of contemplative reflection. Following much pillow-laden deliberation and the removal of a trio of dog paws from the rear of my scalp, I realised three very important things. There are only three possible results in a game and I really like one of them. We are in the third week after the Nottingham throwaway and following sixteen days R & R and a morning of triumvirate-induced therapy, I now feel a whole lot better. And there are only three days to go till Jersey. Ah, the joy of three.
Gloucester A: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Roddis, Gore, Townsend; Jenner. Sub: Hylton.
A healthy midweek crowd numbering just shy of three figures had already been well entertained as Gloucester’s B Squad won the Geoff Richards League after edging out their Kent counterparts 3-2, Josh Mason’s late winner securing a hard-earned victory in a hugely watchable encounter. Gloucester’s girls’ squad retained the EW Girls’ Shield for the third consecutive season, sneaking home by the odd score in three, while a single goal in the thirteenth minute proved just enough for Gloucester’s A side to also complete a trio of consecutive EW Trophy victories.
Visitors Bexley were a technically excellent team who have to date enjoyed an extremely productive season. Already crowned Kent League champions and retaining a vested interest in the Gills Shield, Lester Finch Trophy and London Crisp Shield, they have every chance of completing at least a hat trick of competition successes, the neatness of their approach play and crispness of their pass-and-move approach was evident from the outset.
The hosts’ midfield contingent - Coldridge, Roddis, Gore, Townsend and latterly Hylton however worked tremendously hard to supress Bexley’s attacking potential for the duration of the contest and with the lively Jenner keeping the visiting defence on its toes, the city side always looked likely to break the deadlock. During the opening quarter Roddis, Gore and number three Richards each played thoughtful passes in behind the Bexley back line, but on all three occasions Penny, the Kentish keeper, was quickly off his line to thwart the Gloucester threat.
On thirteen minutes however the hosts claimed the lead, Gore’s neat pass inside taking out three visiting defenders and the predatory Jenner applying a fine left foot finish to register his thirty first score of the season.
Jenner and Roddis each went close to adding a second, though at the other end the city back three of Pledger, Richards and Weir-Roberts were forced into some solid defending, while Troke denied both Elliott and Turpin as well as dealing decisively with a trio of dangerous corners.
Bexley pushed forward as play resumed for the second period, the strong breeze now at their backs. Once more the home midfield worked tirelessly to support a determined back line and once more the excellent Troke denied the Bexley offensive, safely fielding two long range drives from Garcia before keeping out a close range effort from Arif.
Boyce fired just wide of the far post, Gore blocked Turpin’s close range effort inside the six yard box with Pledger completing the clearance and Connor headed over as Gloucester battened down the hatches. While it was Bexley that were largely on the offensive, the hosts always looked dangerous on the break however, Gore twice and Hylton almost playing in Jenner, but the resourceful Mitchell was alert to the threat on all three occasions.
With nine minutes remaining the city side were millimetres away from doubling their advantage, Gore’s well struck drive beating Penny and rebounding from the inside of both posts before Coldridge’s follow up effort was well blocked by Bower.
With the clock ticking down Troke produced another fine save from Elliott and Turpin’s free kick was deflected just wide by Richards, while central midfielders Roddis and Townsend continued to impress in their territorially-enforced defensive roles.
A number of second half, sniper-induced stoppages meant the three minutes of added time brought back still painful memories of the Sheriff of Nottingham’s pick-pocketing of the result in Gloucester’s last home fixture. But when Turpin’s sixty third minute free kick cannoned off the crossbar and flashed behind for a goal kick, the hosts were home if not completely dry after a second half that perfectly illustrated Thomas Edison’s elucidation that success is one per cent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration.
While Bexley may be left wondering how they didn’t register a single goal in the sixty three minutes of action, Gloucester will be thrilled that their resolve, determination and never-say-never attitude saw them to a fine victory against a very good and technically adept team. And to bring matters to a satisfyingly appropriate conclusion, at twenty to three in the afternoon the EW Trophy was presented to GPSFA skipper Alfie Pledger by Forest Green Rovers assistant manager and ex-Bexley Schools’ midfielder Jamie Day, to complete an extremely fruitful three hours for the home association.
Around thirteen hours later I awoke at around 3am and lapsed into a period of contemplative reflection. Following much pillow-laden deliberation and the removal of a trio of dog paws from the rear of my scalp, I realised three very important things. There are only three possible results in a game and I really like one of them. We are in the third week after the Nottingham throwaway and following sixteen days R & R and a morning of triumvirate-induced therapy, I now feel a whole lot better. And there are only three days to go till Jersey. Ah, the joy of three.
Gloucester A: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Roddis, Gore, Townsend; Jenner. Sub: Hylton.
