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Tuesday 14 November 2006
British Gas Business Southern League Premier
(match 14)
at Meadow Park, Gloucester
BGB Southern League logo

New Tigers Badge: no-one knows why...

Gloucester City

1-2

Mangotsfield United

Maggots Arms
 

HT (1-1)

 
 
Scorers:
M.Whittington (45)
City home kitMaggots Kit
Scorers:

C.Lane (2), A.Cornwall (87)

         
 
M.Bath
1.
W.Puddy
C.Thompson ©
2.
N.Arndale
M.Noakes
3.
J.Allward
N.Mustoe
4.
R.Casey
T.Hamblin
5.
G.Warren ©
J.Welsh
6.
E.Wilmot
M.Fowler
7.
D.Anyisah
T.Webb
8.
J.French
T.Wood
9.
R.Claridge
M.Whittington
10.
L.Powell
A.Wilson
11.
C.Lane
 
Subs
 
(for 9, 28) J.Miller
12.
M.Meaker (for 7, 77)
D.Wilkinson
14.
G.Cocks
(for 10, 84) J.Tustain
15.
D.Morrisey (for 10, 86)
J.Reid
16.
A.Cornwall (for 4, 67)
(for 11, 71) A.Harris
17.
S.Book
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Bookings:
City: J.Miller (foul tackle 58)
Mangotsfield: none
Dismissals: none

T-Ender City MotM: Michael Noakes - on a gloomy night for City he displayed some solid defensive skills and still got forward.

grass trim rule

City slumped to defeat against high-flying Mangotsfield, victims of yet another sickening late goal. The City side seem to have fallen prey to a virulent strain of defensive dementia, and after this disappointing misfiring performance the Tiger's boss may just be getting ready to take the knife to some of his squad. Having fallen behing to an early goal the City side seemed to have fought their way back into the game, levelling with a Whittington paoched goal just before the break. Despite dominating the second half City never split apart the Bristol team's defence and with the attack having failed to fully ignite the finale had an all too familar twist. A defensive lapse was compounded by some collective failure to react and Maggots sub Aaron Cornwall was allowed to grab a late winner, leaving a wretched City side to reflect on a dismal night.

The players hadn't got into their rhythm before Mangotsfield took the lead, Chris Lane seeming to be the only player awake as he was allowed to run unchallenged from the half-way line. Having arrived at the edge of the area with defenders still backing off hime he sent in a low fizzing shot that seemed to catch out Matt Bath to roll into the net. It was hardly a promising start and things could easily have got worse for City as the Maggots dominated the opening quater of the game. Some more sleepy defending was exemplified when a nothing free kick floated down the centre of the pitch was enough to catch us napping, Maggots' Rob Claridge left unmarked for a close range header that Bath did well to tip over the bar.

Tim Harris made a decisive tactical switch with the deeply unhappy looking Troy Wood going off for Miller, with Jason Welsh's physical threat seen as more useful up front than in defence. The boss was proven right almost instantly as we suddenly looked happier both in defence and in attack. Welsh competed for high balls and gave us an attacking platform in front of the visitor's defence. City slowly worked there way into the match and City's more adventurous and meancing attacking play finally brought it's reward just before the break. Mustoe cut out a Maggots pass and pushed the ball forward to Fowler. The Welsh Wizard enjoyed a bit of luck as an attempted through pass rebounded back to him of a defender, but by hook and by crook he beat two men before sending in a low skidding shot from the edge of the area. Puddie must have spent most of the half admiring the Meadow Park floodlights, but when called into action the young loan keeper could only parry the shot away to his left- and straight into the path of Ch#!tenham team-mate Michael Whittington who gleefully tucked the ball into the net from six yards out. That had certainly changed the half-time team talks.

The City pressure continued as we enjoyed more of the game after the break. City could have hoped for more when Welsh did well to wriggle past a challenge near the corner flag and cut in along the byline. However Welsh tried an almost impossible shot from the tightest of angles to hit the side netting despite others running into the goalmouth for a cross. The best placed was Mike Fowler, Welsh's car sharing mate from South Wales, possibly cause for long silences on the drive home after the match. City did create more chances, Jonny Miller's driven free kick after a foul on Wilson seemed to be clearly handled by a lifting arm from one of the Mangotsfield wall but the ref wasn't interested. When the match official comes from the same place as one of the teams it's hard not to have your doubts - after all he won't be buying his milk off a City fan in the morning.

City put together a couple of good passing moves with Mustoe, Fowler and Welsh all linking together well but for all of our increased possession we weren't really carving open clear chances in front of goal. A Jason Welsh drive saw the unimpressive Will Puddie almost again spill the ball in front of goal, and Welsh made him struggle further under a high ball but having ran loose Mustoe could only drive the ball high through a crowd of players and over the bar. The match seemed to be destined for a draw but City seemed to be caught out when Miller gifted the Bristol side possession with a sloppy pass down the right flank. Maggots sub Aaron Cornwall picked the ball up in front of the main stand but was left unmolested as he ran straight towards goal, finally unleashing a sharp drive that seemed to flash past Matt Bath and into the corner of the net. It seemed as if somewhere you could have expected a defender to make life harder for him, but it was enough to take the spoils for Mangotsfield.

Ch#!tenham Town boss John Ward was at this game, presumably casting his eye over his two players Whittington and Puddie, but also on City winger Aaron Wilson who has already turned out once for his reserve side. Hull City were also apparently represented at the game to see Wilson, while Forest Green's scouts are taking an increasing interest in Whittington's City goal record. Neither player will have done much for their cause on this showing and the only real sign of their ability was the appreciation both received from the City fans. Aaron may have been constrained by his groin strain, but despite a few good touches he was carefully managed by the Maggots marking job. Whitts did get a good striker's goal but his movement was not as sharp tonight and this was a long way off his best. Perhaps both suffered a little stage fright, but City need more from them now and they'll need to do more to convince those interested in seeing if they might be ready for the step up.

 

grass trim rule
T-Ender Match Snaps
The camera don't do night time - donations towards better kit always gratefully received.

Team Selection:
With Lyndon Tomkins out with a hamstring problem striker Jason Welsh made his comeback as a makeshift centre-back. Sykes was dropped with Aaron Wilson starting against the side that tried to sign him despite a nigling groin problem. Adie Harris and Jamie Reid returned to the sub's bench after injury and suspension.
TBBM Said:

"D'ya think John Ward will be asking after the City number 10 and trying to find out who he is?"
More than a few City fans surprised that the struggling League neighbours seem content for Whitts to score our goals.

Tactics Board:
Tim Harris can't be accused of lacking courage in taking decisions. Having started with two small, young nippy strikers Troy Wood was sacrificed with less than half an hour gone as City struggled against the tall Maggots defenders. Miller came on at right-back, Thommo shuffled into the centre of defence and Welsh went up front. His more robust presence immediately galvanised the City attack, but Troy Wood looked less than chuffed at his early departure.
Anorak Corner:
This is the lowest scoring result between the two teams since 2002. In the previous three seasons the two clubs have met in various competitions the match has averaged 5.4 goals a game. No wonder fans expected a goal fest when Maggots scored in the 2nd minute.
T-Ender Verdict
If Tim Harris was hacked off after Hemel he can only be mad and miserable after the Maggots. Yet again City seemed to lose concentration to fail to see out a result, and these late goals have long since stopped being even grimly amusing. His other worry will be that despite dominating and pressurising the visitors for most of the second half there were no clear cut chances created and a marked reluctance to pressurise a distinctly dodgy looking keeper. You can't pick out any individuals for lack of effort, but somewhere the chemistry of the team isn't sparking and the passion and desire isn't quite what it should be. You suspect the players don't have long to convince the boss - he doesn't seem to be a man afraid to rip it all up and start again if he feels it necessary.
Highlights Elsewhere:

This result took Mangotsfield second, only behind new leaders Bath City on goal difference after the Romans nicked a 1-0 home win over Cirencester courtesy of another goal from one-time loan Tiger Chris Holland. FA Cup heroes King's Lynn may have been knocked off their top spot perch but will not be too unhappy with a 3-3 draw at Banbury United, especially after coming back from being 3-1 down with a last minute equaliser nicking a point.

At the other end of the table Cheshunt are off the bottom, leap-frogging Northwood and Corby with a 3-2 win over Maidenhead that saw the home team overturn a 2-1 defecit late inthe second half. There were also big wins for Chippenham, returning to form with a Dave Gilroy goal enough to beat Team Bath, and for Tiverton who put their run of bad results behind them with a penalty sealing a 1-0 win and condemning Merthyr to their first league defeat of the season.

Other Match Reports:

Gloucester Citizen match report
Mangotsfield United website match report

Further Reading:

BGB Southern League Premier Results & Website
BGB Southern League Table

Referee: S.Knapp (Mangotsfield,
sorry Pucklechurch, Bristol)
City League Pos: 9th (-1) City Form: LDWLDD

Ref Watch:

5 - Never quite convinced with plenty going unpunished.

Attendance: 388    
Conditions: showery rain
Lorry Score:

9


Match Report:
by t-towel

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