St Albans B 6-1 Gloucester B, by January Blues
On a sunny and warm January morning, the day started as it was to continue as the Bs were joined by photographer Hickey who had been bought a Banana Yazoo by Coach Wixey (rookie mistake).
Despite the warm weather, Gloucester B froze in front of the ever-strong Hertfordshire outfit. To quote Coach Wixey; "I thought Christmas was over, yet we still seem to be giving them gifts!!"
A chaotic first five minutes of pinging back and forth resembled something more akin to a tennis scene. However, it was St Albans who drew first blood after two mistakes in possession by the Yellows led to Houghton running through on goal and slotting home easily.
A corner to the home team was only cleared to the edge of the area where Harris was in acres of space to take a touch and smash home to double their lead.
With their heads down, Gloucester continued to be the makers of their own downfall when the ball was given away cheaply in their own half. Houghton picked the loose ball up, ran past five half-challenges and shot low into the bottom corner. To finish the half, another great cross for the home team found Latter unmarked in the middle of the area to take a touch and finish off the crossbar.
Despite the scoreline, keeper Cornwell was turning in yet another fine performance, including his second penalty save of the season.
The second half saw a bit of will from the Gloucester boys to give St Albans a game. However, they quickly conceded a fifth after two failed clearances were closed down by Harris who slotted home to add to the punishment.
With Gloucester now gaining a good bit of possession they finally started pestering the St Albans' defence. However, Cambridge in goal was still to be tested.
It was from a Gloucester corner that St Albans scored their best and final goal. A good ball floated into the box wasn't attacked by Gloucester. Charlton picked up the ball on the edge of the area and laid the through ball to Houghton whose long strides towards goal took out the Gloucester defence. With Cornwell closing him down, a precise dink over the keeper finished off a great counter attacking goal.
Gloucester's consolation came courtesy of some quick thinking from Easterbrook. A quick free-kick found Irvine who passed to Fieldhouse just outside the home box. A brilliant piece of control and slick turn around the defender saw him through on goal where a cool finish matched the approach play.
Sadly however, this seemed another game in which the performance lacked a bit of heart and self-belief. So-much-so, photographer Hickey went home and drowned his sorrows in yet another large bottle of the finest Yazoo - although his favourite 'Chocolate' flavour this time.
Thank you again to the people who travelled all that way to support the boys.
Gloucester: Cornwell, Campbell, Irvine, Cooper, Flatt, Taylor, Fieldhouse, Lock, Harding, Inyinbor, Easterbrook
Despite the warm weather, Gloucester B froze in front of the ever-strong Hertfordshire outfit. To quote Coach Wixey; "I thought Christmas was over, yet we still seem to be giving them gifts!!"
A chaotic first five minutes of pinging back and forth resembled something more akin to a tennis scene. However, it was St Albans who drew first blood after two mistakes in possession by the Yellows led to Houghton running through on goal and slotting home easily.
A corner to the home team was only cleared to the edge of the area where Harris was in acres of space to take a touch and smash home to double their lead.
With their heads down, Gloucester continued to be the makers of their own downfall when the ball was given away cheaply in their own half. Houghton picked the loose ball up, ran past five half-challenges and shot low into the bottom corner. To finish the half, another great cross for the home team found Latter unmarked in the middle of the area to take a touch and finish off the crossbar.
Despite the scoreline, keeper Cornwell was turning in yet another fine performance, including his second penalty save of the season.
The second half saw a bit of will from the Gloucester boys to give St Albans a game. However, they quickly conceded a fifth after two failed clearances were closed down by Harris who slotted home to add to the punishment.
With Gloucester now gaining a good bit of possession they finally started pestering the St Albans' defence. However, Cambridge in goal was still to be tested.
It was from a Gloucester corner that St Albans scored their best and final goal. A good ball floated into the box wasn't attacked by Gloucester. Charlton picked up the ball on the edge of the area and laid the through ball to Houghton whose long strides towards goal took out the Gloucester defence. With Cornwell closing him down, a precise dink over the keeper finished off a great counter attacking goal.
Gloucester's consolation came courtesy of some quick thinking from Easterbrook. A quick free-kick found Irvine who passed to Fieldhouse just outside the home box. A brilliant piece of control and slick turn around the defender saw him through on goal where a cool finish matched the approach play.
Sadly however, this seemed another game in which the performance lacked a bit of heart and self-belief. So-much-so, photographer Hickey went home and drowned his sorrows in yet another large bottle of the finest Yazoo - although his favourite 'Chocolate' flavour this time.
Thank you again to the people who travelled all that way to support the boys.
Gloucester: Cornwell, Campbell, Irvine, Cooper, Flatt, Taylor, Fieldhouse, Lock, Harding, Inyinbor, Easterbrook
