Gloucester City Hockey Club 4s vs. Ross-on-Wye 2s.
It was a chilly morning, overcast skies with temperatures around 8°C. A light breeze from the southwest enhanced the cool feel but visibility remained excellent for playing conditions.
In a highly competitive match, Gloucester City Hockey Club’s 4th team hosted Ross-on-Wye 2s at Oxstalls Sports Park. The teams showcased spirited performances, with Gloucester determined to defend their home turf and gain 3 pts after four heavy defeats. The fixture tested players’ endurance and concentration levels as well as behaviour.
Gloucester 4s started strong with the likes of Jesse, Tonka, James and Ian McIntosh keeping brilliant attacking play through the centre and width of the turf. Against the run of play Ross on Wye took advantage of a quick counterattack to score the opening goal in the 10th minute. However, Gloucester soon found their rhythm, equalizing in just 5 minutes after the opposition goal through a well-worked short corner routine and a bullet from Tonka into the bottom right corner. The 20 minutes after was controlled by brilliant possession from all the team, Ben controlling the tempo of the game, keeping midfield structure and a bounce pass for the set strong back line. The Gloucester backline was very good at keeping the attackers quiet and setting up well and looking up to pass and control and move it on. Eddie was superb with tackling, sidelines and most importantly moving the possession up field to Jesse, Adam and James on the widths.
The second half saw some foot saves from Chris Moulinie guarding the goal, Gloucester continued to dominate possession again with Rob, Graeme, Steve and Ian Posgate with calm, cool and collective passing creating several attacking opportunities. Ross’s compact defence held firm for 5 minutes, but it wasn’t enough for a sweet move from the Glos city attackers and a clean stroked finish from a composed Ruben left the goalkeeper scrambling on the floor. Unfortunately, 5 minutes later the away team scored to make it 2-2 with 25 minutes remaining. Glos City started becoming sloppy and not strong with passes and control and the endurance started to show. However, we all got a second wind thanks to the desire in the players and teammates on the sideline and fans alike braved the chilly weather to enjoy an exciting and hard-fought end of the match and we had a surge down the right flank with Brian heavily involved passing on to Adam who pops up with a great strike past the goalkeeper and crowding defenders. Glos City had a chance to bury the game and seal the 3pts when James had a brilliant close-range effort turn just wide from a great drilled pass from Tonka.
Final stages of the game saw a mis-timed stick tackle from Jesse receiving a green card. Thanks to the efforts of those left working hard on the pitch, Glos held strong in protecting the lead. Newcomer John Tait showed that the weekly training was beginning to show fruit with his positioning and runs through the D causing huge dilemmas for the Ross defense – should they stay or should they go to him. The Sophie’s choice of playing with both options leaving them in dire straits.
Eventually the final whistle blew and noises of joyful cheers and smiling faces were infectious around the 3-2 winners of Glos City 4s.
Man of the Match – Jesse Bunn