Gloucester B 0-1 Bath by Huffy Harris
Hoping to build on last week's positive result on a brisk and damp Longlevens’ morning, a game reminiscent of the previous encounter between these two teams played out. Gloucester in both games showed lots of positive signs, but sadly not doing quite enough to end up on the right side of the result.
The first ten minutes saw little in terms of goal action, but Gloucester had begun the better, playing lots of football in the Bath half. Flatt started with some success down the right, but no-one seemed to be in the right places when his passes or crosses came in. Space down the wings continued to be exploited, with Campbell joining up with Flatt whenever possible.
However, it was Bath that managed to break the ice after a lapse in concentration from the hosts gave away a foul. From 18 yards, Johnson smashed the ball into the top left corner, giving Cornwell no chance and the visitors the upper hand.
Gloucester responded with some great play between Lock and Taylor. Lock received the ball and shielded it well until Taylor flew past him. A quick pass found Taylor running at goal where the Bath keeper was equal to the build up play and superbly closed down and saved the resulting shot.
The second half saw far more goalmouth action and it was Gloucester who continued to push for that elusive goal. Fieldhouse, enjoying lots of space down the left put a cross in the box for Lock, whose shot was saved once again by Holmes.
Two further opportunities followed after Lock created his own chance running into the box from the right and putting his shot down to the keeper's right, only for him to parry away. The second saw Taylor pick the ball up from 15 yards out and twist pass three defenders only to again see Holmes in fine form to save his resulting close range effort.
Cornwell, who for the second week running had little to do, was still switched on when a scramble on the edge of the home area saw Owens fire a low shot at goal. However, the Gloucester keeper thwarted any hope of Bath doubling their lead with a fine save down to his left.
With Bath playing around with the ball at the back, Gloucester saw an opportunity to pounce on any mistakes and sure enough their chance came, Lock winning the ball off the defender, playing in Taylor whose looped effort just passed the side of the goal.
Another brilliant opportunity for the boys saw Arrowsmith win the ball in the middle and lay it to off to Flatt. His quick pass to Taylor was quickly followed by a swift pass to Lock. One touch around the defender and ball back into the area saw Fieldhouse and Taylor running in for a potential tap-in. Sadly, both seemed to leave it for the other and the opportunity was lost.
Further chances for Gloucester were not taken when superb work from Campbell down the right saw a weak shot fired at Holmes. Another saw a corner into the box land at the feet of Arrowsmith. who couldn't cleanly connect and he fired straight at the keeper from four yards. Then, brilliant footwork from Cooper saw him weave through four defenders. This time the ball is lifted over the keeper, only to see McChristie in the Bath defence clear for a corner just as it was creeping in.
The final opportunity of the game saw Flatt pick the ball up from a throw-in. With a good turn, he laid off to Campbell on the edge of the area. A low hard drive to the bottom left was again equalled by Holmes who got down well and pushed the ball away for a corner.
Sadly, over the two games against Bath, Gloucester probably created near enough forty opportunities and scored zero. Bath probably created ten and scored four. However, statistics don't win games, it's the conviction that does and we lacked that in both matches.
Afterthought: As a Coach, I was very torn with yesterday. We created a lot of great chances and kept Bath to three shots all game. The players [for the second week running] did nearly everything asked of them in this new formation and for those things the boys deserve massive credit. However, as much as I hate losing, the bit I get frustrated at is that I wish the players could believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. Only then, do I think we'll play with the conviction that will push us over to the right side of results on a more consistent basis.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Harding, Irvine, Cooper, Campbell, Flatt, Arrowsmith, Fieldhouse, Taylor, Lock, Inyinbor.
The first ten minutes saw little in terms of goal action, but Gloucester had begun the better, playing lots of football in the Bath half. Flatt started with some success down the right, but no-one seemed to be in the right places when his passes or crosses came in. Space down the wings continued to be exploited, with Campbell joining up with Flatt whenever possible.
However, it was Bath that managed to break the ice after a lapse in concentration from the hosts gave away a foul. From 18 yards, Johnson smashed the ball into the top left corner, giving Cornwell no chance and the visitors the upper hand.
Gloucester responded with some great play between Lock and Taylor. Lock received the ball and shielded it well until Taylor flew past him. A quick pass found Taylor running at goal where the Bath keeper was equal to the build up play and superbly closed down and saved the resulting shot.
The second half saw far more goalmouth action and it was Gloucester who continued to push for that elusive goal. Fieldhouse, enjoying lots of space down the left put a cross in the box for Lock, whose shot was saved once again by Holmes.
Two further opportunities followed after Lock created his own chance running into the box from the right and putting his shot down to the keeper's right, only for him to parry away. The second saw Taylor pick the ball up from 15 yards out and twist pass three defenders only to again see Holmes in fine form to save his resulting close range effort.
Cornwell, who for the second week running had little to do, was still switched on when a scramble on the edge of the home area saw Owens fire a low shot at goal. However, the Gloucester keeper thwarted any hope of Bath doubling their lead with a fine save down to his left.
With Bath playing around with the ball at the back, Gloucester saw an opportunity to pounce on any mistakes and sure enough their chance came, Lock winning the ball off the defender, playing in Taylor whose looped effort just passed the side of the goal.
Another brilliant opportunity for the boys saw Arrowsmith win the ball in the middle and lay it to off to Flatt. His quick pass to Taylor was quickly followed by a swift pass to Lock. One touch around the defender and ball back into the area saw Fieldhouse and Taylor running in for a potential tap-in. Sadly, both seemed to leave it for the other and the opportunity was lost.
Further chances for Gloucester were not taken when superb work from Campbell down the right saw a weak shot fired at Holmes. Another saw a corner into the box land at the feet of Arrowsmith. who couldn't cleanly connect and he fired straight at the keeper from four yards. Then, brilliant footwork from Cooper saw him weave through four defenders. This time the ball is lifted over the keeper, only to see McChristie in the Bath defence clear for a corner just as it was creeping in.
The final opportunity of the game saw Flatt pick the ball up from a throw-in. With a good turn, he laid off to Campbell on the edge of the area. A low hard drive to the bottom left was again equalled by Holmes who got down well and pushed the ball away for a corner.
Sadly, over the two games against Bath, Gloucester probably created near enough forty opportunities and scored zero. Bath probably created ten and scored four. However, statistics don't win games, it's the conviction that does and we lacked that in both matches.
Afterthought: As a Coach, I was very torn with yesterday. We created a lot of great chances and kept Bath to three shots all game. The players [for the second week running] did nearly everything asked of them in this new formation and for those things the boys deserve massive credit. However, as much as I hate losing, the bit I get frustrated at is that I wish the players could believe in themselves as much as we believe in them. Only then, do I think we'll play with the conviction that will push us over to the right side of results on a more consistent basis.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Harding, Irvine, Cooper, Campbell, Flatt, Arrowsmith, Fieldhouse, Taylor, Lock, Inyinbor.
