Gloucester B 2-3 Torbay
A determined second half fightback by Gloucester proved not quite enough to rescue a share of the spoils, as a dominant opening by visitors Torbay ensured they returned to the English Riviera with a well earned victory.
The hosts were the first to threaten however, Lock’s effort being turned away by the Torbay keeper, but the visitors responded by winning a spate of corners. The city team defended the flag kicks well on the first four occasions, but the fifth saw the ball, from the slightest of deflections, worm its way just inside the far post to give the travellers the lead.
Cornwell did well to turn Wellington’s drive on to his left hand post, but two minutes later Marshall fired in from close range following Shearer’s right wing cross to double the visitors’ advantage. Only four more minutes had elapsed when Swann drove powerfully home from the edge of the box to give Torbay a commanding lead and there was every chance they would add to their tally yet further.
The city side though managed to see out the rest of the half without further mishap and began to assert themselves on the game once the second period got underway.
With Campbell in determined mood and Irvine resolute at centre back, Torbay weren’t given the time and space that had been afforded them before the break and Gloucester went close as Lock saw his header saved on the line.
Five minutes later Lock latched on to a long clearance to divert the ball beyond the keeper and when the city centre forward was upended in the area, Easterbrook confidently reduced the arrears yet further from the spot.
There was little time remaining however and the visitors saw out the remaining three minutes to complete a victory that in the end was not quite as straightforward as the interval scoreline might have suggested. A good second half for Gloucester then, who now visit south Devon for the return fixture at the weekend.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Campbell, Irvine, Cooper; Flatt, Easterbrook, Taylor Fieldhouse; Lock. Subs: Arrowsmith, Inyinbor.
The hosts were the first to threaten however, Lock’s effort being turned away by the Torbay keeper, but the visitors responded by winning a spate of corners. The city team defended the flag kicks well on the first four occasions, but the fifth saw the ball, from the slightest of deflections, worm its way just inside the far post to give the travellers the lead.
Cornwell did well to turn Wellington’s drive on to his left hand post, but two minutes later Marshall fired in from close range following Shearer’s right wing cross to double the visitors’ advantage. Only four more minutes had elapsed when Swann drove powerfully home from the edge of the box to give Torbay a commanding lead and there was every chance they would add to their tally yet further.
The city side though managed to see out the rest of the half without further mishap and began to assert themselves on the game once the second period got underway.
With Campbell in determined mood and Irvine resolute at centre back, Torbay weren’t given the time and space that had been afforded them before the break and Gloucester went close as Lock saw his header saved on the line.
Five minutes later Lock latched on to a long clearance to divert the ball beyond the keeper and when the city centre forward was upended in the area, Easterbrook confidently reduced the arrears yet further from the spot.
There was little time remaining however and the visitors saw out the remaining three minutes to complete a victory that in the end was not quite as straightforward as the interval scoreline might have suggested. A good second half for Gloucester then, who now visit south Devon for the return fixture at the weekend.
Gloucester: Cornwell; Campbell, Irvine, Cooper; Flatt, Easterbrook, Taylor Fieldhouse; Lock. Subs: Arrowsmith, Inyinbor.
