Gloucester B 2-2 Erdington & Saltley by Tearful Day
It was somehow fitting that the season’s final home game should be played with rain never far away, as with virtually every other match this season. Erdington & Saltley were the visitors to Longlevens on this occasion for a Midlands Challenge Trophy tie.
In the opening minutes, the Midlanders showed they were a pacey side with some skilful players, while the hosts demonstrated both energy and commitment.
With five minutes played Gloucester took the lead. A well delivered corner from Randall was met by Thomas who brilliantly headed home at the back post. A quick breakaway then saw Hynan through on goal, but Sargeant saved well to maintain the scoreline.
Two more corners were met with fine headers by Randall and Ansermoz, Mason in the visitors’ goal doing well to prevent either of them from extending the home side’s lead. A period of spirited but scrappy play where the ball seemed to spend more time in the air than on the ground followed.
Limbrick, Laverton and Thomas all did well to compete and contain the quick Erdington side but near the end of the half a neat four-person move allowed a strike at goal that Sargeant did well to stop, only for Eagen to knock in the rebound for the equaliser.
Sargeant made an excellent double save at the start of the second period as the visitors began to dominate the play. The keeper though could not do anything about Erdington’s second goal, a long range free kick was well struck by Hynan and sailed straight into the net.
Almost immediately however, Taylor hit a hopeful volley from distance from near the left hand touchline and that too sailed right over the head of the keeper for a spectacular leveller.
Neither side could be faulted for the effort and commitment they put in for the rest of the encounter, every player working hard and determined to try to win the game for their respective side. The final five minutes saw the play switch from end to end, Harris, Taylor and Hayes all going close for the city team, but a breathless game fittingly ended all square.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Thomas, Limbrick, Ansermoz; Randall, Laverton, Fortey, Williamson; Taylor; Hayes, Harris.
In the opening minutes, the Midlanders showed they were a pacey side with some skilful players, while the hosts demonstrated both energy and commitment.
With five minutes played Gloucester took the lead. A well delivered corner from Randall was met by Thomas who brilliantly headed home at the back post. A quick breakaway then saw Hynan through on goal, but Sargeant saved well to maintain the scoreline.
Two more corners were met with fine headers by Randall and Ansermoz, Mason in the visitors’ goal doing well to prevent either of them from extending the home side’s lead. A period of spirited but scrappy play where the ball seemed to spend more time in the air than on the ground followed.
Limbrick, Laverton and Thomas all did well to compete and contain the quick Erdington side but near the end of the half a neat four-person move allowed a strike at goal that Sargeant did well to stop, only for Eagen to knock in the rebound for the equaliser.
Sargeant made an excellent double save at the start of the second period as the visitors began to dominate the play. The keeper though could not do anything about Erdington’s second goal, a long range free kick was well struck by Hynan and sailed straight into the net.
Almost immediately however, Taylor hit a hopeful volley from distance from near the left hand touchline and that too sailed right over the head of the keeper for a spectacular leveller.
Neither side could be faulted for the effort and commitment they put in for the rest of the encounter, every player working hard and determined to try to win the game for their respective side. The final five minutes saw the play switch from end to end, Harris, Taylor and Hayes all going close for the city team, but a breathless game fittingly ended all square.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Thomas, Limbrick, Ansermoz; Randall, Laverton, Fortey, Williamson; Taylor; Hayes, Harris.
