Gloucester B 5-3 St Albans B by Coach Wixey
With the Longlevens Stadium erected and the pitch looking supreme, the stage was set for the excitement to begin and Gloucester B and St Albans B did not disappoint.
This Cotswold Challenge Shield game began with both sides keen to make an impression and to a large extent cancelled each other out. It took a well struck cross-shot from Assaker to break the deadlock and give the visitors the lead.
Buoyed by the goal, The Saints began to press and dominate the game and the home side’s defence of Ansermoz, Thomas and Hayes did well to stop further goals. Williamson while Fortey and Laverton were working hard in midfield to gain a foothold against their strong Saints counterparts.
In a rare foray up the field Thomas’ cross was deflected past the ‘keeper to give the home side an equaliser and some work for the Dubious Goals Panel to do. Thomas was in no doubt however that it was his goal.
The second half began a little more stretched and further goals seemed imminent. Gloucester keeper Sargeant had other ideas though and made a couple of impressive saves, the first down to his left and the second to his right. He was eventually beaten when a St Albans corner fell to Yeo who fired past him into the net.
This setback only seemed to inspire the Yellows to increase their efforts, Limbrick epitomising their spirit by winning tackle after tackle. Striker Harris and wide man Taylor both went close as Gloucester began to dominate proceedings and the second equaliser came courtesy of Taylor, smashing home from near the penalty spot following a free kick.
A quick breakaway restored the away side’s advantage, Turnbull turning in a flowing move down the right. Almost immediately though Randall equalised for the third time, following in after the keeper had saved Thomas’ long range shot.
Randall gained his brace, once again following in effectively, this time following Fortey’s intelligent lob. St Albans created a number of quick-fire opportunities but Sargeant was equal to all, including a fantastic save high up to his left to deny what appeared to be a certain goal.
With the visitors throwing everything at the hosts' goal, gaps began to appear in their defence and Thomas took advantage by making a run down the left and hitting a long range effort high into the top corner with the final kick of a very exciting season’s opener.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Ansermoz, Thomas, Hayes; Williamson, Fortey, Randall, Laverton; Harris. Subs: Taylor, Limbrick
This Cotswold Challenge Shield game began with both sides keen to make an impression and to a large extent cancelled each other out. It took a well struck cross-shot from Assaker to break the deadlock and give the visitors the lead.
Buoyed by the goal, The Saints began to press and dominate the game and the home side’s defence of Ansermoz, Thomas and Hayes did well to stop further goals. Williamson while Fortey and Laverton were working hard in midfield to gain a foothold against their strong Saints counterparts.
In a rare foray up the field Thomas’ cross was deflected past the ‘keeper to give the home side an equaliser and some work for the Dubious Goals Panel to do. Thomas was in no doubt however that it was his goal.
The second half began a little more stretched and further goals seemed imminent. Gloucester keeper Sargeant had other ideas though and made a couple of impressive saves, the first down to his left and the second to his right. He was eventually beaten when a St Albans corner fell to Yeo who fired past him into the net.
This setback only seemed to inspire the Yellows to increase their efforts, Limbrick epitomising their spirit by winning tackle after tackle. Striker Harris and wide man Taylor both went close as Gloucester began to dominate proceedings and the second equaliser came courtesy of Taylor, smashing home from near the penalty spot following a free kick.
A quick breakaway restored the away side’s advantage, Turnbull turning in a flowing move down the right. Almost immediately though Randall equalised for the third time, following in after the keeper had saved Thomas’ long range shot.
Randall gained his brace, once again following in effectively, this time following Fortey’s intelligent lob. St Albans created a number of quick-fire opportunities but Sargeant was equal to all, including a fantastic save high up to his left to deny what appeared to be a certain goal.
With the visitors throwing everything at the hosts' goal, gaps began to appear in their defence and Thomas took advantage by making a run down the left and hitting a long range effort high into the top corner with the final kick of a very exciting season’s opener.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Ansermoz, Thomas, Hayes; Williamson, Fortey, Randall, Laverton; Harris. Subs: Taylor, Limbrick
