Gloucester B 2-3 Woking B by Part Timer
Gloucester B and Woking reconvened their marathon duel with their fifth (and final) encounter of the season in a Cotswold Challenge Shield match.
A beautiful morning and a pitch in superb condition greeted the visitors to Longlevens. Gloucester started brightly but it was soon apparent that they would have to battle all the way to defeat Woking, a team noted for coming back from losing positions.
Easterbrook had the first opportunity but dragged his shot wide of the upright. A more difficult chance fell to the same player and this time his shot was goal bound, but a great save from Foster saw the ball touched round the post.
With Harding sweeping up well and seemingly always in the right position and Irvine strong in the tackle, Woking struggled to fashion many opportunities and the home side began to exert some authority on the game.
Inyinbor was causing all sorts of problems as he made many charging runs down the left from his defensive position. One such run gained a throw-in deep into the opposition’s half. His throw was headed on by Lock and Taylor gained reward for anticipating the play and driving into the area, holding off a challenge before firing home to give the hosts the lead.
Inyinbor doubled the advantage with a cross-cum-shot that nestled neatly in the bottom right hand corner. The Yellows saw out what was probably the best half of football they have played this season, with every member playing their part.
A break in play early in the second half proved to be the turning point in the game. From then on in, Gloucester were unable to rediscover the intensity they had played with in the first half and allowed Woking back into the contest.
A great strike by Jones reduced the arrears and set up a nervy finish to the game for the hosts. With six minutes left on the clock, Woking equalised. La Roche launched a free kick from inside his own half - nobody went for the ball and it bounced straight into the net.
Two minutes later, Woking completed yet another turnaround when Jones steered in the winner after a fine breakaway. A harsh lesson for Gloucester in that at this level you have to play for the entire sixty minutes or you can, and will, get punished.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Easterbrook, Harding, Irvine, Inyinbor, Fieldhouse, Flatt, Taylor, Lock, Campbell, Arrowsmith, Cooper.
A beautiful morning and a pitch in superb condition greeted the visitors to Longlevens. Gloucester started brightly but it was soon apparent that they would have to battle all the way to defeat Woking, a team noted for coming back from losing positions.
Easterbrook had the first opportunity but dragged his shot wide of the upright. A more difficult chance fell to the same player and this time his shot was goal bound, but a great save from Foster saw the ball touched round the post.
With Harding sweeping up well and seemingly always in the right position and Irvine strong in the tackle, Woking struggled to fashion many opportunities and the home side began to exert some authority on the game.
Inyinbor was causing all sorts of problems as he made many charging runs down the left from his defensive position. One such run gained a throw-in deep into the opposition’s half. His throw was headed on by Lock and Taylor gained reward for anticipating the play and driving into the area, holding off a challenge before firing home to give the hosts the lead.
Inyinbor doubled the advantage with a cross-cum-shot that nestled neatly in the bottom right hand corner. The Yellows saw out what was probably the best half of football they have played this season, with every member playing their part.
A break in play early in the second half proved to be the turning point in the game. From then on in, Gloucester were unable to rediscover the intensity they had played with in the first half and allowed Woking back into the contest.
A great strike by Jones reduced the arrears and set up a nervy finish to the game for the hosts. With six minutes left on the clock, Woking equalised. La Roche launched a free kick from inside his own half - nobody went for the ball and it bounced straight into the net.
Two minutes later, Woking completed yet another turnaround when Jones steered in the winner after a fine breakaway. A harsh lesson for Gloucester in that at this level you have to play for the entire sixty minutes or you can, and will, get punished.
Gloucester B: Cornwell; Easterbrook, Harding, Irvine, Inyinbor, Fieldhouse, Flatt, Taylor, Lock, Campbell, Arrowsmith, Cooper.
