Gloucester B 1-4 Erdington & Saltley by Not so clinical Kev
"How many times [this season] have I stood here at half time and praised you for the way you performed in the first half and said that this game is now yours to win or lose? It just depends on whether you're going continue to do what you've just done as a team or have those moments of falling asleep. If you fall asleep, even for a moment, we will be punished at this level!" - This is the story of the season and the story of this match.
Gloucester B once again came off the pitch with their heads in their hands after losing a game that could potentially have been a positive result had it not been for a lack of clinicalness (as it were) in both the opposition box and in ours.
Gloucester started well and possession seemed comfortable in the visitor's half with a few half chances created. However, it was the visitors that drew first blood. A moment of panic led for an array of Gloucester players to be out of position. Musef claimed the ball on the right side, neither closing defender was goal side, so with a run into the box and a ball to the edge of the area, Jackson shot to the far post. Moments of positive last-ditch defending were thwarted when Potter pounced on the loose ball to fire home into the bottom left.
Gloucester quickly replied and continued to pressurise the Saltley defence. Campbell stepped up with a long range free-kick that smashed the underside of the crossbar. Everybody thought it had bounced over the line, but the referee's watch had not vibrated, thus no goal was given and it was cleared off the line for a Gloucester corner.
However, the home side's pressure was soon validated when the Erdington goalkeeper's pass to his left back was well read by Easterbrook. His touch inside to Lock was caressed under the keeper to equal the scores.
It was Gloucester who finished the first half the stronger with good work from Inyinbor and Cooper on the left led to the ball finding its way to Campbell on the edge of the area, whose shot went just wide of the post. This was followed up by a great counter attack from the Bs. Campbell heading the ball out of his own area, the ball was brought down by Arrowsmith who played it to Lock. His quick play with Fieldhouse and a nice through ball meant that Flatt was one-on-one, only to see the keeper charge out, save with his feet and keep the scores level going into the break.
[Insert first paragraph again].
Ever the inspirational talk from Coach Harris, Gloucester were behind again within 30 seconds of the second half starting. A thrown-in from the left and hopeful ball over the top of the Gloucester defence found Musef completely on his own in the box to bring the sphere down and fire home.
The game was far more equal now in pressure, Erdington creating a few half chances that were thwarted by some good defensive shape from Arrowsmith, Irvine, Harding and Inyinbor. Likewise at the other end, a good defensive line cancelled out half efforts by Lock, Campbell & Easterbrook.
A free kick from Easterbrook on the right was put to the back post where Lock looked to have headed in, only for the ball to have actually hit the side netting. However, similar to the second goal conceded, a free-kick to Erdington in their own half was looped over the top of a standing back line, where a number of Erdington players were ready to finish, but it was Potter that again slotted home.
Gloucester continued to try and gain something back and Lock's effort hit the defender before bouncing around in the area where Arrowsmith tried to loop the ball over the keeper only to see his effort saved.
However, it was the visitors who again dealt another blow, when Musef's shot from the edge of the area, was saved by Cornwell. The rebound bounced to Walters who again saw his effort saved but this time only as far as Walters who this time converted.
FINAL THOUGHTS (Jerry Springer style)
In lots of ways the scoreline does not reflect the way that Gloucester played. However, whilst we have continued to have moments of real sloppiness throughout the season, we have continued to be punished by very strong outfits, such as Erdington. With only one game left to go for this season, I hope the boys take away that district and county football is a different level and a strong mentality is needed to finish games off - not just being 'good enough' at football.
On a more positive note, this was our final game at the wonderful Longlevens and I would like to thank the boys' families and friends that have continued to come down throughout the whole season and support the boys through thick and thin. We are often spoilt with great support and this year has been no different. GPSFA is a credit to Gloucester (in my eyes) and we're often in the eye of visitors who also think that our matchdays are always something special for the boys and you guys help add to that on the sidelines. Thank you for helping make Longlevens continue to be a brilliant place to be on a Saturday morning.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Campbell, Harding, Irvine, Arrowsmith, Flatt, Inyinbor, Easterbrook, Lock, Taylor, Fieldhouse, Cooper.
Gloucester B once again came off the pitch with their heads in their hands after losing a game that could potentially have been a positive result had it not been for a lack of clinicalness (as it were) in both the opposition box and in ours.
Gloucester started well and possession seemed comfortable in the visitor's half with a few half chances created. However, it was the visitors that drew first blood. A moment of panic led for an array of Gloucester players to be out of position. Musef claimed the ball on the right side, neither closing defender was goal side, so with a run into the box and a ball to the edge of the area, Jackson shot to the far post. Moments of positive last-ditch defending were thwarted when Potter pounced on the loose ball to fire home into the bottom left.
Gloucester quickly replied and continued to pressurise the Saltley defence. Campbell stepped up with a long range free-kick that smashed the underside of the crossbar. Everybody thought it had bounced over the line, but the referee's watch had not vibrated, thus no goal was given and it was cleared off the line for a Gloucester corner.
However, the home side's pressure was soon validated when the Erdington goalkeeper's pass to his left back was well read by Easterbrook. His touch inside to Lock was caressed under the keeper to equal the scores.
It was Gloucester who finished the first half the stronger with good work from Inyinbor and Cooper on the left led to the ball finding its way to Campbell on the edge of the area, whose shot went just wide of the post. This was followed up by a great counter attack from the Bs. Campbell heading the ball out of his own area, the ball was brought down by Arrowsmith who played it to Lock. His quick play with Fieldhouse and a nice through ball meant that Flatt was one-on-one, only to see the keeper charge out, save with his feet and keep the scores level going into the break.
[Insert first paragraph again].
Ever the inspirational talk from Coach Harris, Gloucester were behind again within 30 seconds of the second half starting. A thrown-in from the left and hopeful ball over the top of the Gloucester defence found Musef completely on his own in the box to bring the sphere down and fire home.
The game was far more equal now in pressure, Erdington creating a few half chances that were thwarted by some good defensive shape from Arrowsmith, Irvine, Harding and Inyinbor. Likewise at the other end, a good defensive line cancelled out half efforts by Lock, Campbell & Easterbrook.
A free kick from Easterbrook on the right was put to the back post where Lock looked to have headed in, only for the ball to have actually hit the side netting. However, similar to the second goal conceded, a free-kick to Erdington in their own half was looped over the top of a standing back line, where a number of Erdington players were ready to finish, but it was Potter that again slotted home.
Gloucester continued to try and gain something back and Lock's effort hit the defender before bouncing around in the area where Arrowsmith tried to loop the ball over the keeper only to see his effort saved.
However, it was the visitors who again dealt another blow, when Musef's shot from the edge of the area, was saved by Cornwell. The rebound bounced to Walters who again saw his effort saved but this time only as far as Walters who this time converted.
FINAL THOUGHTS (Jerry Springer style)
In lots of ways the scoreline does not reflect the way that Gloucester played. However, whilst we have continued to have moments of real sloppiness throughout the season, we have continued to be punished by very strong outfits, such as Erdington. With only one game left to go for this season, I hope the boys take away that district and county football is a different level and a strong mentality is needed to finish games off - not just being 'good enough' at football.
On a more positive note, this was our final game at the wonderful Longlevens and I would like to thank the boys' families and friends that have continued to come down throughout the whole season and support the boys through thick and thin. We are often spoilt with great support and this year has been no different. GPSFA is a credit to Gloucester (in my eyes) and we're often in the eye of visitors who also think that our matchdays are always something special for the boys and you guys help add to that on the sidelines. Thank you for helping make Longlevens continue to be a brilliant place to be on a Saturday morning.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Campbell, Harding, Irvine, Arrowsmith, Flatt, Inyinbor, Easterbrook, Lock, Taylor, Fieldhouse, Cooper.
