Gloucester 2-1 Swansea by Happy Harris
On a miserable morning weather-wise at Longlevens, three GPSFA squads were coming up against tough opposition. Yet, with all three teams impressing, the mood around GL2 did not match the glumness in the surrounding air and the B Team contributed finely in a well-contested battle against the Welsh outfit.
It was Swansea however, who drew first blood, Gloucester being slightly careless in the middle of the park and a knock past the last defender saw Carroll through on goal, the forward slotting into the opposite bottom corner from outside the area.
Gloucester started to respond with some positive pressing, Taylor winning the ball down the left side and passing inwards to Laverton who teed up Fortey, but his left foot strike was saved well by Walters in the visitor’s goal.
Continuing to pressure the White's defence, the Yellows fashioned another chance after a poor clearance was snapped upon by Randall. Harris, who was causing the Swans' back line plenty of issues throughout the first half got the ball off Randall and twisted round the centre back before seeing his sweetly struck shot go inches wide.
However, a well-deserved goal finally came. Having been camped in the Swansea half for the majority of the half, a free kick to the right of the box was swung into the danger area by Fortey. Although the original efforts were well defended, Williamson swung his right foot at the ball. Had he connected well, his effort may have flown over the bar. As it was, a perfection connection from his right foot's pinkie [little toe] saw the ball spin into the top corner.
The second half saw a different type of game from both teams with the contest seeing a little less quick-passing football, but more of a battle of wills. Efforts from Harris and Thomas went just wide, but solid defending from Hayes, Ansermoz and Limbrick seemed to thwart any real danger from the away team.
Clear chances became few and far between for both sides, but Gloucester continued to impress, Harris having his best game up front for some time peppering the Swansea defence and the Gloucester team just behind him followed suit. Laverton and Fortey ran tirelessly in the centre of the park to defend and attack when needed and Randall and Williamson persisted down the wings to try and create that winning goal, but the Whites stood resolute.
That was however, until a little bit of [deserved] fortune came the way of the home team. Winning possession down the left, Taylor and Williamson pushed forward and gave the ball to Fortey. With a touch to the left, the midfielder shot towards goal and the 'slightest' deflection sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with just over five minutes remaining.
Hearts were in mouths in the final moments however when Swansea picked up a free kick on the right side of the Gloucester defence. A great shot on goal looked destined for the top corner, but Sargeant stood his ground and picked the right moment to jump and push the ball onto the crossbar. The Swansea boys threw themselves at the rebounding ball only to see bodies on the line from the Yellows and winning blocks from Fortey, Thomas and Limbrick saved the day.
A game of two halves that saw great pressing and an element of flowing football when in possession from the Gloucester boys in the first half, with a good bit of grit and determination to battle a strong team in the second and create the win for themselves. Definitely a team performance to be proud of.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Hayes, Limbrick, Ansermoz; Thomas, Laverton, Fortey, Taylor; Harris; Randall, Williamson
It was Swansea however, who drew first blood, Gloucester being slightly careless in the middle of the park and a knock past the last defender saw Carroll through on goal, the forward slotting into the opposite bottom corner from outside the area.
Gloucester started to respond with some positive pressing, Taylor winning the ball down the left side and passing inwards to Laverton who teed up Fortey, but his left foot strike was saved well by Walters in the visitor’s goal.
Continuing to pressure the White's defence, the Yellows fashioned another chance after a poor clearance was snapped upon by Randall. Harris, who was causing the Swans' back line plenty of issues throughout the first half got the ball off Randall and twisted round the centre back before seeing his sweetly struck shot go inches wide.
However, a well-deserved goal finally came. Having been camped in the Swansea half for the majority of the half, a free kick to the right of the box was swung into the danger area by Fortey. Although the original efforts were well defended, Williamson swung his right foot at the ball. Had he connected well, his effort may have flown over the bar. As it was, a perfection connection from his right foot's pinkie [little toe] saw the ball spin into the top corner.
The second half saw a different type of game from both teams with the contest seeing a little less quick-passing football, but more of a battle of wills. Efforts from Harris and Thomas went just wide, but solid defending from Hayes, Ansermoz and Limbrick seemed to thwart any real danger from the away team.
Clear chances became few and far between for both sides, but Gloucester continued to impress, Harris having his best game up front for some time peppering the Swansea defence and the Gloucester team just behind him followed suit. Laverton and Fortey ran tirelessly in the centre of the park to defend and attack when needed and Randall and Williamson persisted down the wings to try and create that winning goal, but the Whites stood resolute.
That was however, until a little bit of [deserved] fortune came the way of the home team. Winning possession down the left, Taylor and Williamson pushed forward and gave the ball to Fortey. With a touch to the left, the midfielder shot towards goal and the 'slightest' deflection sent the goalkeeper the wrong way with just over five minutes remaining.
Hearts were in mouths in the final moments however when Swansea picked up a free kick on the right side of the Gloucester defence. A great shot on goal looked destined for the top corner, but Sargeant stood his ground and picked the right moment to jump and push the ball onto the crossbar. The Swansea boys threw themselves at the rebounding ball only to see bodies on the line from the Yellows and winning blocks from Fortey, Thomas and Limbrick saved the day.
A game of two halves that saw great pressing and an element of flowing football when in possession from the Gloucester boys in the first half, with a good bit of grit and determination to battle a strong team in the second and create the win for themselves. Definitely a team performance to be proud of.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Hayes, Limbrick, Ansermoz; Thomas, Laverton, Fortey, Taylor; Harris; Randall, Williamson
