There's no place like home!
The weekend got off to a great start with Young winning the penalty shootout. Evans did well to get into the sudden death round but as far as best bragging rights go ‘keeper G Balkwill wins hands down. After saving two of his brother’s penalties he then scored three more than him. Brotherly love must have been tested that evening.
Wixey created a first for the season by actually remembering to bring the football kit. Harris groaned as he realised he had not brought his fine of a pack of Jelly Babies for his forgetful behavior and now owes two packs. The good news is that he knew Wixey would not mention it again all season…much!
The new stadium erection team were full of enthusiasm for their new early morning dawn roles. Tom Butcher, Paul Young and Ben Evans did a great job and were all rewarded with season long contracts. The Longlevens stadium looked fantastic and was ready to host the first set of GPSFA home games this season.
St Albans received a warm welcome as they arrived even though coach Nick was asked to dampen down his voice until the local residents had arisen from their slumbers. He nearly listened and only 37 complaints were received.
With all the boys arriving in their finest new clothing, Ball having spent “months” worth of pocket money on new shoes and a shirt, the stage was set for their home bow in front of an excited crowd.
The game began with St Albans on the offensive but with little threat to the Gloucester goal. A Fogg free-kick that was saved well by the saints ‘keeper signaled a better period of play for the homeside and the game opened up into a more even contest. Ball was holding the ball up and bringing the wide men into play allowing the team to play further up the field.
The away side took the lead in the twenty third minute when a well worked move down the right resulted in a shot from the edge of the area that Balkwill saved diving to his right only for Dylan to follow up and slot home. Burr’s introduction had an immediate effect. His first touch was to fire in a free-kick from the right giving the keeper no chance as Gloucester drew level just a minute later. Burr’s next involvement was to take a flag kick just two minutes later. Harris (junior) the beneficiary when he popped up to give the hosts the lead following the corner.
With their tails up, the home team enjoyed their best spell of the game and had St Albans on the ropes. Just before the break, another Burr corner had enough pace on it to cause the defender to deflect the ball into his own goal. Young and Moroney were now in control of the centre of the midfield and opportunities came and went.
The visitors came out in determined fashion at the start of the second half. G Balkwill was out quick and bravely to deny them and then the crossbar thwarted their next attempt. Finally, the pressure told and Edward slotted home following a corner and goal mouth scramble more akin to a pinball machine than a football pitch.
Evans led the defensive line by example, making a number of interceptions and blocks and was ably supported by Harris and Burr either side of him as many attacks were repelled. Badham, D Balkwill and latterly, Fogg had to work hard up and down the flanks as the game ebbed from end to end and Butcher had to be strong to lead the front line and be a focal point for the attacks.
The end result was in doubt right up to the final whistle and both sides deserve credit for providing the watching crowd with an entertaining and enthralling game worthy of the Longlevens stadium. The B’s were rewarded when their effort and energy won out over the St Alban’s superior quality.
A lot of work to do but a very good start. Well done boys.
Wixey created a first for the season by actually remembering to bring the football kit. Harris groaned as he realised he had not brought his fine of a pack of Jelly Babies for his forgetful behavior and now owes two packs. The good news is that he knew Wixey would not mention it again all season…much!
The new stadium erection team were full of enthusiasm for their new early morning dawn roles. Tom Butcher, Paul Young and Ben Evans did a great job and were all rewarded with season long contracts. The Longlevens stadium looked fantastic and was ready to host the first set of GPSFA home games this season.
St Albans received a warm welcome as they arrived even though coach Nick was asked to dampen down his voice until the local residents had arisen from their slumbers. He nearly listened and only 37 complaints were received.
With all the boys arriving in their finest new clothing, Ball having spent “months” worth of pocket money on new shoes and a shirt, the stage was set for their home bow in front of an excited crowd.
The game began with St Albans on the offensive but with little threat to the Gloucester goal. A Fogg free-kick that was saved well by the saints ‘keeper signaled a better period of play for the homeside and the game opened up into a more even contest. Ball was holding the ball up and bringing the wide men into play allowing the team to play further up the field.
The away side took the lead in the twenty third minute when a well worked move down the right resulted in a shot from the edge of the area that Balkwill saved diving to his right only for Dylan to follow up and slot home. Burr’s introduction had an immediate effect. His first touch was to fire in a free-kick from the right giving the keeper no chance as Gloucester drew level just a minute later. Burr’s next involvement was to take a flag kick just two minutes later. Harris (junior) the beneficiary when he popped up to give the hosts the lead following the corner.
With their tails up, the home team enjoyed their best spell of the game and had St Albans on the ropes. Just before the break, another Burr corner had enough pace on it to cause the defender to deflect the ball into his own goal. Young and Moroney were now in control of the centre of the midfield and opportunities came and went.
The visitors came out in determined fashion at the start of the second half. G Balkwill was out quick and bravely to deny them and then the crossbar thwarted their next attempt. Finally, the pressure told and Edward slotted home following a corner and goal mouth scramble more akin to a pinball machine than a football pitch.
Evans led the defensive line by example, making a number of interceptions and blocks and was ably supported by Harris and Burr either side of him as many attacks were repelled. Badham, D Balkwill and latterly, Fogg had to work hard up and down the flanks as the game ebbed from end to end and Butcher had to be strong to lead the front line and be a focal point for the attacks.
The end result was in doubt right up to the final whistle and both sides deserve credit for providing the watching crowd with an entertaining and enthralling game worthy of the Longlevens stadium. The B’s were rewarded when their effort and energy won out over the St Alban’s superior quality.
A lot of work to do but a very good start. Well done boys.
