Bath 3-0 Gloucester B by Grumpy (and his six little mates)
A very damp and misty morning greeted the Gloucester side to Bath, which was more than the absent home side’s coaching staff did. With the help of some embarrassed parents goals were erected, a side was picked and the game was able to get under way.
All started evenly with both sides quite tentative in their approach. Lock had the first run on goal, but a last ditch tackle prevented the striker getting a shot on target. As the intensity grew it was the home side that showed the greater desire to win tackles and as a result gain more possession and create more opportunities, but some wasteful finishing meant that they could not capitalise, while a great penalty save by Gloucester’s ‘keeper Cornwell allowed the visitors to maintain parity into the break.
A more competitive second half saw chances for both sides come and go, but yet again it was Bath who had the greater desire to win the ball and keep hold of it and they managed to gain control of the game and deservedly took the lead. Latching on to a poor clearance the homeside worked the ball to give Kiely the chance to fire home.
The Yellows had to be content with playing on the break with virtual all their good play coming through Flatt who was the only Gloucester outfield player to play to his potential, both with and without the ball.
The final quarter of the game became a battle between the Bath forward line and ‘keeper Cornwell. A couple of his saves brought more applause than the two further goals that Bath scored. The Gloucester players will need to realise quickly that to compete at this level you have to be first to the ball and then strong in possession before they can play and enjoy the good football this team is undoubtedly capable of playing.
Thanks are due to Bath parents for helping make the game go ahead and to the army of Gloucester parents whose unstinting support was greatly appreciated.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Campbell, Irvine, Fieldhouse, Taylor, Easterbrook, Flatt, Inyinbor, Lock, Subs: Cooper, Arrowsmith.
All started evenly with both sides quite tentative in their approach. Lock had the first run on goal, but a last ditch tackle prevented the striker getting a shot on target. As the intensity grew it was the home side that showed the greater desire to win tackles and as a result gain more possession and create more opportunities, but some wasteful finishing meant that they could not capitalise, while a great penalty save by Gloucester’s ‘keeper Cornwell allowed the visitors to maintain parity into the break.
A more competitive second half saw chances for both sides come and go, but yet again it was Bath who had the greater desire to win the ball and keep hold of it and they managed to gain control of the game and deservedly took the lead. Latching on to a poor clearance the homeside worked the ball to give Kiely the chance to fire home.
The Yellows had to be content with playing on the break with virtual all their good play coming through Flatt who was the only Gloucester outfield player to play to his potential, both with and without the ball.
The final quarter of the game became a battle between the Bath forward line and ‘keeper Cornwell. A couple of his saves brought more applause than the two further goals that Bath scored. The Gloucester players will need to realise quickly that to compete at this level you have to be first to the ball and then strong in possession before they can play and enjoy the good football this team is undoubtedly capable of playing.
Thanks are due to Bath parents for helping make the game go ahead and to the army of Gloucester parents whose unstinting support was greatly appreciated.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Campbell, Irvine, Fieldhouse, Taylor, Easterbrook, Flatt, Inyinbor, Lock, Subs: Cooper, Arrowsmith.
