Premier League 9-a-Sides by P.Fogg
On yet another cold and miserable morning, the boys and respective family members travelled through the fog to the tops of Bath.
Overlooking the Wiltshire greens, the B team [along with the A side] competed in the Premier League 9-aside tournament.
There was a dodgy moment beforehand when it was thought the boys would have to go home as Coach Harris’ hair had become a right mess in the rain, but Mrs Sargeant (following a good search from Mrs Hayes) retrieved a hair bobble, style was restored and the day could continue as originally planned.
Vs Portsmouth
The Yellows’ first game pitted them against an equal-looking Portsmouth team - and the match proved as much, ending 0-0.
Both teams cancelled each other out, resulting in few goal scoring opportunities. The best probably fell to Harris [player, not coach] who made some brilliant runs past the Blue’s defence before one shot was saved and the other closed down by the keeper.
Any Portsmouth chance was easily picked off by Sargeant and the strong defending of the city back four - Hayes, Limbrick, Ansermoz and Laverton.
Vs Swansea
When these two teams met last week, Swansea were the better team and lost. This time saw the opposite - Gloucester being the better side, but on the wrong end of the result.
Gloucester started brightly with two good chances. The first saw great feet from Fortey create space and cross to the back post where Randall’s half-volley hit the post. The second opportunity landed for Thomas, whose constant running at the Swans defence began to pay dividends when he saw himself through on goal, only to put the ball wide of the right post.
However, it was The Welsh outfit that took the lead. A run down the right wing wasn’t dealt with and Cresswell’s ball to the edge of the area saw Hill loop the ball over Sargeant.
Gloucester equalised quickly with Thomas keeping the ball well on the edge of the opposing area before squaring to Harris whose left foot shot crashed in off the crossbar.
Sadly, in the final moments, a Swansea corner wasn’t attacked and Hill once again jumped to meet the ball and head home.
Vs West Cornwall
Gloucester got their first win of the day after a relatively comfortable win against the Cornish Yellows.
A Fortey free kick from the left was again met by Randall, who this time clinically volleyed home at the back post.
Gloucester continued to pepper the opposition goal with chances for Thomas and Fortey constantly attacking down he left.
West Cornwall, however, began to fashion a few opportunities for themselves. On the odd occasion that they got through, Sargeant was there to quash any hope of an equaliser - including a fingertip save around the post.
The final chance(s) fell to Harris who ran through brilliantly on goal and got his shot past the keeper, only for Richie to twice clear his efforts off the line.
Vs West Wiltshire
Gloucester finished the tournament with their strongest performance, taking advantage early on. A great team goal started with Hayes to Thomas who laid inwards to Fortey who then passed to Randall. His attacking run fed a ball through to Williamson who squared to Taylor. With a little flick upwards, he volleyed the ball past the flailing keeper.
Two opportunities for Williamson saw the first hit the crossbar from long range after great attacking play from Fortey. The second came from the resulting goal kick with the defender given the ball by his keeper. His pass to the full back was intercepted by Williamson who took one touch and blasted the ball into the opposite corner, giving Gloucester a 2-0 win and a comfortable finish to the day.
When Coach Harris interviewed his namesake, Player Harris after the game, he felt that the team had improved as the day went on, but that the referees were “Ungenerous at times!” Scored a goal, played well and invented a new word all in one morning.
All in all, a productive outing where you could see the continuing improvement in the boys as a team. Well done everyone.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Limbrick, Hayes, Ansermoz, Thomas, Laverton, Fortey, Williamson, Harris, Randall, Taylor.
Overlooking the Wiltshire greens, the B team [along with the A side] competed in the Premier League 9-aside tournament.
There was a dodgy moment beforehand when it was thought the boys would have to go home as Coach Harris’ hair had become a right mess in the rain, but Mrs Sargeant (following a good search from Mrs Hayes) retrieved a hair bobble, style was restored and the day could continue as originally planned.
Vs Portsmouth
The Yellows’ first game pitted them against an equal-looking Portsmouth team - and the match proved as much, ending 0-0.
Both teams cancelled each other out, resulting in few goal scoring opportunities. The best probably fell to Harris [player, not coach] who made some brilliant runs past the Blue’s defence before one shot was saved and the other closed down by the keeper.
Any Portsmouth chance was easily picked off by Sargeant and the strong defending of the city back four - Hayes, Limbrick, Ansermoz and Laverton.
Vs Swansea
When these two teams met last week, Swansea were the better team and lost. This time saw the opposite - Gloucester being the better side, but on the wrong end of the result.
Gloucester started brightly with two good chances. The first saw great feet from Fortey create space and cross to the back post where Randall’s half-volley hit the post. The second opportunity landed for Thomas, whose constant running at the Swans defence began to pay dividends when he saw himself through on goal, only to put the ball wide of the right post.
However, it was The Welsh outfit that took the lead. A run down the right wing wasn’t dealt with and Cresswell’s ball to the edge of the area saw Hill loop the ball over Sargeant.
Gloucester equalised quickly with Thomas keeping the ball well on the edge of the opposing area before squaring to Harris whose left foot shot crashed in off the crossbar.
Sadly, in the final moments, a Swansea corner wasn’t attacked and Hill once again jumped to meet the ball and head home.
Vs West Cornwall
Gloucester got their first win of the day after a relatively comfortable win against the Cornish Yellows.
A Fortey free kick from the left was again met by Randall, who this time clinically volleyed home at the back post.
Gloucester continued to pepper the opposition goal with chances for Thomas and Fortey constantly attacking down he left.
West Cornwall, however, began to fashion a few opportunities for themselves. On the odd occasion that they got through, Sargeant was there to quash any hope of an equaliser - including a fingertip save around the post.
The final chance(s) fell to Harris who ran through brilliantly on goal and got his shot past the keeper, only for Richie to twice clear his efforts off the line.
Vs West Wiltshire
Gloucester finished the tournament with their strongest performance, taking advantage early on. A great team goal started with Hayes to Thomas who laid inwards to Fortey who then passed to Randall. His attacking run fed a ball through to Williamson who squared to Taylor. With a little flick upwards, he volleyed the ball past the flailing keeper.
Two opportunities for Williamson saw the first hit the crossbar from long range after great attacking play from Fortey. The second came from the resulting goal kick with the defender given the ball by his keeper. His pass to the full back was intercepted by Williamson who took one touch and blasted the ball into the opposite corner, giving Gloucester a 2-0 win and a comfortable finish to the day.
When Coach Harris interviewed his namesake, Player Harris after the game, he felt that the team had improved as the day went on, but that the referees were “Ungenerous at times!” Scored a goal, played well and invented a new word all in one morning.
All in all, a productive outing where you could see the continuing improvement in the boys as a team. Well done everyone.
Gloucester: Sargeant; Limbrick, Hayes, Ansermoz, Thomas, Laverton, Fortey, Williamson, Harris, Randall, Taylor.
