Gloucester B 1-1 Orpington B (aet; Gloucester win 4-3 on pens)
Gloucester’s B Squad won through to the semi finals of the Geoff Richards KO after defeating visitors Orpington on penalties.
With the tie moved to the all-weather surface at Oxstalls due to the weather, the game lacked fluency at times with the wind and rain not helping either set of players.
That said, even though Randall had the first half chance of the game with a left-footed effort that was gathered by the keeper, it was the visitors that adapted better to the conditions and Sargeant produced a confident catch from Gilchrist’s cross before being at his (usual) best, if that’s grammatically possible, to deny Camacho in a one-v-one situation.
That was the only clear opportunity of the first period for either team, a half in which effort and commitment were the order of the day and one in which centre back Limbrick, left back Williamson and midfielder Hayes were up for in equal measure.
Orpington began the second half well, Springett almost putting the visitors ahead eight minutes after the break, his well struck effort coming back off the crossbar. Sargeant then touched Gilchrist’s drive round the post before producing an even better save to deny Blue.
At the other end Thomas’s free kick caused problems in the Orpington box and Hayes’ follow-up was blocked at point blank range by Dowding. When Orpington attacked Thomas was back to cover and intervened crucially on several occasions to prevent a direct effort on goal.
The tie was still goalless at the end of normal time and the first part of the extra period saw the visitors on top. First Bullar struck the woodwork, but the same player then put his side ahead with a well struck volley following a right wing corner.
Throwing caution to the considerable wind in the game’s final period, the city team levelled with two minutes remaining, Ansermoz on hand to divert home Thomas’s free kick. There was still time for another Sargeant save, the Gloucester keeper thwarting Orpington for a fifth time, before the referee blew for the end of the 9v9 contest.
And so to penalties – goals from Harris, Sargeant and Taylor and two Sargeant saves saw the teams level at 3-3 before Laverton converted the first of the sudden death spot kicks and Orpington missed theirs to send Gloucester through by a whisker.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Thomas, Limbrick, Williamson; Randall, Hayes, Laverton, Taylor; Harris; Ansermoz.
With the tie moved to the all-weather surface at Oxstalls due to the weather, the game lacked fluency at times with the wind and rain not helping either set of players.
That said, even though Randall had the first half chance of the game with a left-footed effort that was gathered by the keeper, it was the visitors that adapted better to the conditions and Sargeant produced a confident catch from Gilchrist’s cross before being at his (usual) best, if that’s grammatically possible, to deny Camacho in a one-v-one situation.
That was the only clear opportunity of the first period for either team, a half in which effort and commitment were the order of the day and one in which centre back Limbrick, left back Williamson and midfielder Hayes were up for in equal measure.
Orpington began the second half well, Springett almost putting the visitors ahead eight minutes after the break, his well struck effort coming back off the crossbar. Sargeant then touched Gilchrist’s drive round the post before producing an even better save to deny Blue.
At the other end Thomas’s free kick caused problems in the Orpington box and Hayes’ follow-up was blocked at point blank range by Dowding. When Orpington attacked Thomas was back to cover and intervened crucially on several occasions to prevent a direct effort on goal.
The tie was still goalless at the end of normal time and the first part of the extra period saw the visitors on top. First Bullar struck the woodwork, but the same player then put his side ahead with a well struck volley following a right wing corner.
Throwing caution to the considerable wind in the game’s final period, the city team levelled with two minutes remaining, Ansermoz on hand to divert home Thomas’s free kick. There was still time for another Sargeant save, the Gloucester keeper thwarting Orpington for a fifth time, before the referee blew for the end of the 9v9 contest.
And so to penalties – goals from Harris, Sargeant and Taylor and two Sargeant saves saw the teams level at 3-3 before Laverton converted the first of the sudden death spot kicks and Orpington missed theirs to send Gloucester through by a whisker.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Thomas, Limbrick, Williamson; Randall, Hayes, Laverton, Taylor; Harris; Ansermoz.
