The first match of the new year saw Gloucester take on Woking in a Geoff Richards Trophy game at a very overcast Longlevens.

The homesters were soon into their stride, pressurising the visitors’ goal from the off.

Defender Pinkney was first to strike but his shot flashed just wide. Attempts from Butcher and Sutherland soon followed, but both were saved by the keeper. A corner gave Pinkney his second chance to shoot, but Butcher was unable to jump out of the way quickly enough and inadvertently prevented the opening goal.

Pinkney did not have to wait much longer to claim his goal however as another corner fell to him on the edge of the area and this time his strike evaded everyone and nestled in the bottom corner.

The home side’s domination continued for most of the half and Mason, Weatherley, Sutherland and Elliott all saw shots saved by the busy keeper. Weatherley eventually beat him though after he latched on to Knight’s ball-winning tackle and sidestepped two defenders, his strongly struck drive squirming through the keeper’s hands and over the line.

Balkwill in the Gloucester goal did well to get up and catch a drive right next to his post and prevent Woking from reducing the arrears during a rare first half attack.

Woking were much more competitive in the second half and the game became far more even. Knight, Elliott and Pinkney all made strong tackles to back up good personal performances. The visitors’ backline did well to block drives from Sutherland and Mason while Collins, Elliott and keeper Balkwill had to be sharp to prevent scoring opportunities at the other end.

With so much good defending and tackling going on it was no surprise that the second half finished goalless as the Yellows ran out winners by two goals to nil courtesy of their first half dominance and their ability to dig in when required.

Gloucester B: Balkwill; Pinkney, Collins, Knight, Williams, Butcher, Weatherley, Mason, Sutherland. Subs: Elliott, Sallis.