Gloucester 3-4 Dacorum by Fagin
Title-chasing Dacorum claimed the three Southern Counties League points at Longlevens, but they were pushed all the way by a revitalised Gloucester side that played a full part in an exciting, end-to-end encounter.
Dacorum claimed a third minute lead when Goulding flicked home Osborne’s left wing corner at the near post, but Gloucester came close to a leveller when Hylton’s effort was saved by Griffin and Jenner’s follow up fizzed just past the far upright.
Despite the hosts’ commitment and a hugely improved midfield display with Gore, Roddis, Coldridge and Hylton all to the fore, it was Dacorum who fashioned the next two opportunities, a great recovery tackle from Gore denying Nicholls a clear run on goal before Pledger’s goal line clearance preventing Burns netting Dacorum’s second.
Instead it was the city side that equalised, Jenner gambling well to seize on to Troke’s long clearance before beating Griffin at the second attempt.
Troke then did well to tip Nicholls’ rising drive over the bar before a fine cross from Pledger was equally well defended by Flanagan as the first half ended all square.
There was no let up in either the pace of the game or the end-to-end nature of the encounter as the second period began, great defending by Richards cutting out an incisive Dacorum attack, while Townsend saw his well struck left foot drive saved by Griffin.
It was the visitors though that struck twice in the space of four minutes to take command of the game, first Burns getting in behind the home defence to finish well into the bottom corner, then an excellent strike from Nicholls making it 3-1.
A fine save from Troke to deny Goulding proved the catalyst for Gloucester’s comeback as the impressive Pledger played in Jenner for another fine finish. With Gore and Roddis in combative mood in central midfield and Pledger and Townsend providing the energy down the left, Gloucester were now on top and they grabbed an equaliser that was as impressive in its finish as it was in its inception. Gore, Coldridge and Roddis interchanged their way through the visitors’ midfield before Roddis’s drive from five yards outside the box flew past Griffin for 3-3 with eight minutes remaining.
A fine run into the Dacorum box from Townsend was well defended, while a great save from Troke kept out Osborne’s close range effort as both sides sought a winner. It was the visitors though that snatched victory with under three minutes remaining when Nicholls’ effort found the bottom corner via a Gloucester defender to see the visitors maintain their title challenge.
This was a great effort from the city team however, against a technically adept Dacorum outfit. The lacklustre approach and subsequent heavy defeats of the previous two weeks was replaced by a determined and committed display from all ten players, who should each be pleased with both their attitude and performance in twice coming from behind and ultimately going extremely close to grabbing a point.
Gloucester: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Gore, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Townsend.
Dacorum claimed a third minute lead when Goulding flicked home Osborne’s left wing corner at the near post, but Gloucester came close to a leveller when Hylton’s effort was saved by Griffin and Jenner’s follow up fizzed just past the far upright.
Despite the hosts’ commitment and a hugely improved midfield display with Gore, Roddis, Coldridge and Hylton all to the fore, it was Dacorum who fashioned the next two opportunities, a great recovery tackle from Gore denying Nicholls a clear run on goal before Pledger’s goal line clearance preventing Burns netting Dacorum’s second.
Instead it was the city side that equalised, Jenner gambling well to seize on to Troke’s long clearance before beating Griffin at the second attempt.
Troke then did well to tip Nicholls’ rising drive over the bar before a fine cross from Pledger was equally well defended by Flanagan as the first half ended all square.
There was no let up in either the pace of the game or the end-to-end nature of the encounter as the second period began, great defending by Richards cutting out an incisive Dacorum attack, while Townsend saw his well struck left foot drive saved by Griffin.
It was the visitors though that struck twice in the space of four minutes to take command of the game, first Burns getting in behind the home defence to finish well into the bottom corner, then an excellent strike from Nicholls making it 3-1.
A fine save from Troke to deny Goulding proved the catalyst for Gloucester’s comeback as the impressive Pledger played in Jenner for another fine finish. With Gore and Roddis in combative mood in central midfield and Pledger and Townsend providing the energy down the left, Gloucester were now on top and they grabbed an equaliser that was as impressive in its finish as it was in its inception. Gore, Coldridge and Roddis interchanged their way through the visitors’ midfield before Roddis’s drive from five yards outside the box flew past Griffin for 3-3 with eight minutes remaining.
A fine run into the Dacorum box from Townsend was well defended, while a great save from Troke kept out Osborne’s close range effort as both sides sought a winner. It was the visitors though that snatched victory with under three minutes remaining when Nicholls’ effort found the bottom corner via a Gloucester defender to see the visitors maintain their title challenge.
This was a great effort from the city team however, against a technically adept Dacorum outfit. The lacklustre approach and subsequent heavy defeats of the previous two weeks was replaced by a determined and committed display from all ten players, who should each be pleased with both their attitude and performance in twice coming from behind and ultimately going extremely close to grabbing a point.
Gloucester: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Gore, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Townsend.
