Erdington & Saltley 2-1 Gloucester B, by Liz O'Donnell (Chair of the Road Safety Authority UK)
"It was a crisp morning" one local resident said as they continued to recall the large sigh of relief that could be heard around Longlevens around the 7:50am mark. It became clear that the sound came from the GPSFA B team who had turned up to find that [Sicknote] Coach Wixey wasn't driving the bus this very morning, but in fact they were in the safe hands of Coach Harris. "It's only because of some English law that we felt we needed to put our seat belts on!" Flatt could be heard whispering.....or shouting - who knows with Flatty?
As expected, Gloucester arrived safely in Brummyland where they were met by a welcoming Erdington & Saltley side that were having another convincing season. This was shown in the first third, when Gloucester found themselves under constant pressure. E&S could have found themselves a number of goals ahead if it hadn't been for Cornwell between the city sticks. Johnson, an ever-present threat, twice ran through on goal before Cornwell closed down quickly to thwart any opportunities to take the lead.
However, it was Johnson who eventually gave the homesters the advantage. From a Gloucester goal-kick, E&S won the ball on the left. Howells ran the ball forwards past two defenders and crossed it low to Johnson who fired in from close range, meaning it was 1-0 at the first interval.
With elements of good play as the first third had gone on, there was a sense that Gloucester could equal the home team if they had a little more belief. This was what was asked for and this was what was given. With Taylor staying resolute just in front of the defence of Irvine and Harding, the attacks from E&S could only go so far. However, it was on the wings that the yellows looked to exploit and with Cooper having his best game by far of the season and Inyinbor on the other flank pushing forwards at any opportunity, Gloucester were finally creating chances.
Cooper continued to win the battles on the left and dribbled tirelessly down the wing to put in crosses for both Lock and Flatt, but both were blocked well to keep Gloucester out. However, it was Cooper himself who levelled the scoreline. After just missing an opportunity created by himself, Inyinbor won the ball on the right side. Running into the area, he released the ball across goal where Cooper took one touch and slotted home for his first goal of the season.
The third third saw both side going for the victory. Arrowsmith led the way with some strong tackles and Irvine defended superbly to thwart the ever-dangerous Johnson. Easterbrook was brought on up front where his continuous runs at the Orange's defence, along with Cooper and Inyinbor, persisted in pushing for the win.
However, it was the Midlands side that managed to get the decisive goal. Howells picked the ball up on the left and switched play to Patel on the right. A pass to Johnson and a follow up shot could only be parried by Cornwell into the path of Williamson who was one of four players lining up for the shot. Sadly, from the twentieth to sixtieth, this was the only minute that Gloucester fell asleep, but a lesson learnt that at this level you can be punished for such lapses.
A late effort through on goal by Flatt looked certain to yield an equaliser, but some sweeper-keeper heroics from Osbourne meant that this Trophy game went to the home team.
At around 1:00pm, after (obviously) arriving home safely, there were interviews on Sky Sports News HQ with the B team parents. They were heard saying things such as, "This was probably one of the best performances by the B team so far this season!" and "We've heard about Coach MacDonald's record in Jersey; was his presence anything to do with the result?"
As Coach Harris told Geoff Shreeves, "Whatever the reasons for the result, every member of the B team gave all they had against a notoriously good team. As much as I don't like losing, if they give everything, I can't ask for anything more!" Enough said.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Harding, Fieldhouse, Flatt, Taylor, Easterbrook, Cooper; Lock. Subs: Irvine, Inyinbor, Arrowsmith.
As expected, Gloucester arrived safely in Brummyland where they were met by a welcoming Erdington & Saltley side that were having another convincing season. This was shown in the first third, when Gloucester found themselves under constant pressure. E&S could have found themselves a number of goals ahead if it hadn't been for Cornwell between the city sticks. Johnson, an ever-present threat, twice ran through on goal before Cornwell closed down quickly to thwart any opportunities to take the lead.
However, it was Johnson who eventually gave the homesters the advantage. From a Gloucester goal-kick, E&S won the ball on the left. Howells ran the ball forwards past two defenders and crossed it low to Johnson who fired in from close range, meaning it was 1-0 at the first interval.
With elements of good play as the first third had gone on, there was a sense that Gloucester could equal the home team if they had a little more belief. This was what was asked for and this was what was given. With Taylor staying resolute just in front of the defence of Irvine and Harding, the attacks from E&S could only go so far. However, it was on the wings that the yellows looked to exploit and with Cooper having his best game by far of the season and Inyinbor on the other flank pushing forwards at any opportunity, Gloucester were finally creating chances.
Cooper continued to win the battles on the left and dribbled tirelessly down the wing to put in crosses for both Lock and Flatt, but both were blocked well to keep Gloucester out. However, it was Cooper himself who levelled the scoreline. After just missing an opportunity created by himself, Inyinbor won the ball on the right side. Running into the area, he released the ball across goal where Cooper took one touch and slotted home for his first goal of the season.
The third third saw both side going for the victory. Arrowsmith led the way with some strong tackles and Irvine defended superbly to thwart the ever-dangerous Johnson. Easterbrook was brought on up front where his continuous runs at the Orange's defence, along with Cooper and Inyinbor, persisted in pushing for the win.
However, it was the Midlands side that managed to get the decisive goal. Howells picked the ball up on the left and switched play to Patel on the right. A pass to Johnson and a follow up shot could only be parried by Cornwell into the path of Williamson who was one of four players lining up for the shot. Sadly, from the twentieth to sixtieth, this was the only minute that Gloucester fell asleep, but a lesson learnt that at this level you can be punished for such lapses.
A late effort through on goal by Flatt looked certain to yield an equaliser, but some sweeper-keeper heroics from Osbourne meant that this Trophy game went to the home team.
At around 1:00pm, after (obviously) arriving home safely, there were interviews on Sky Sports News HQ with the B team parents. They were heard saying things such as, "This was probably one of the best performances by the B team so far this season!" and "We've heard about Coach MacDonald's record in Jersey; was his presence anything to do with the result?"
As Coach Harris told Geoff Shreeves, "Whatever the reasons for the result, every member of the B team gave all they had against a notoriously good team. As much as I don't like losing, if they give everything, I can't ask for anything more!" Enough said.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Harding, Fieldhouse, Flatt, Taylor, Easterbrook, Cooper; Lock. Subs: Irvine, Inyinbor, Arrowsmith.
