Gloucester 2 Nottingham 3
Gloucester Schools’ A Squad slipped to a last-minute defeat against a Nottingham side that has lost just once to date this season.
The city midfield of Roddis, Coldridge, Townsend, Hylton and Gore matched their visitors throughout and the homesters forged ahead when Pledger knocked the ball into the box and Coldridge finished well with a crisp left-foot volley into the bottom corner. Skipper Pledger then displayed his worth at the other end, making an excellent interception to prevent Douglas having a clear run on goal.
Jenner went close following a Coldridge cross, the centre forward’s opportunist effort flying just over before the visitors capitalised on some hesitant defending to level through Yates.
The hosts however continued to press and a fine effort from Roddis was saved by Newman with Jenner just unable to capitalise on the follow-up as the first half finished all square.
Five minutes after the break Nottingham claimed the lead when Gloucester surrendered possession out wide and when the ball came in, Armstrong, given time, space and the freedom of the city twenty yards out rifled a fine strike into the top right corner. Three minutes later the visitors almost added a third, but Hatvani was denied by a fine save from the assured Troke in the home goal.
The hosts though responded positively with Roddis beginning to buzz in the centre and the industrious Coldridge a constant threat down the right. Gloucester levelled with twelve minutes remaining, Gore playing in Hylton to open his season’s account in making it 2-2, before the hard-working Jenner was inches wide after Richards had created the opportunity with a well judged pass.
But it was Nottingham that delivered the decisive strike in the third minute of injury time when an ‘after-me, after-you’ in the penalty area gifted Benton the opportunity to drive home to deny the city boys at the last.
Gloucester A: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Townsend, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Gore.
The city midfield of Roddis, Coldridge, Townsend, Hylton and Gore matched their visitors throughout and the homesters forged ahead when Pledger knocked the ball into the box and Coldridge finished well with a crisp left-foot volley into the bottom corner. Skipper Pledger then displayed his worth at the other end, making an excellent interception to prevent Douglas having a clear run on goal.
Jenner went close following a Coldridge cross, the centre forward’s opportunist effort flying just over before the visitors capitalised on some hesitant defending to level through Yates.
The hosts however continued to press and a fine effort from Roddis was saved by Newman with Jenner just unable to capitalise on the follow-up as the first half finished all square.
Five minutes after the break Nottingham claimed the lead when Gloucester surrendered possession out wide and when the ball came in, Armstrong, given time, space and the freedom of the city twenty yards out rifled a fine strike into the top right corner. Three minutes later the visitors almost added a third, but Hatvani was denied by a fine save from the assured Troke in the home goal.
The hosts though responded positively with Roddis beginning to buzz in the centre and the industrious Coldridge a constant threat down the right. Gloucester levelled with twelve minutes remaining, Gore playing in Hylton to open his season’s account in making it 2-2, before the hard-working Jenner was inches wide after Richards had created the opportunity with a well judged pass.
But it was Nottingham that delivered the decisive strike in the third minute of injury time when an ‘after-me, after-you’ in the penalty area gifted Benton the opportunity to drive home to deny the city boys at the last.
Gloucester A: Troke; Weir-Roberts, Richards, Pledger; Coldridge, Townsend, Roddis, Hylton; Jenner. Sub: Gore.
