Deflected goal gives Gloucester the points

By Ray Simpson

Deflected goal gives Gloucester the points

New signing Ben Hedley on the bench

Gloucester City 2 Darlington 1 final

Hanks 23, 1-0. Campbell 29, 1-1, Hanks 72 mins, 2-1

Quakers are still without an away win this season after losing to a deflected goal at the Jubilee Stadium.

Quakers created enough opportunities but couldn't finish them off, and they were beaten by a deflected effort in the second half.

 

Quakers gained a corner in the first minute. Jarrett Rivers curled the ball over from the left to the far post, where Terry Galbraith headed just wide.

Quaker got a free kick for a foul on O’Neill just outside the box on 7 minutes, but Thompson drove the ball into the wall.

Quakers were awarded another free kick on 10 minutes about 30 yards out, and this time Joe Wheatley fired wide.

Thompson then picked up a loose clearance just outside the box and hit a dipping right foot shot that went just over the bar.

But Gloucester replied with a right foot shot by Hanks from 30 yards  that went just past the left hand post, then Parker cut in from the left and drove across goal and about a yard wide.

Gloucester took the lead on 23 minutes when Joe Hanks picked the ball up about 30 yards out, charged past two defenders, and beat Elliott with a low right foot shot.

It was nearly 2-0 when Hanks got through again, lifted the ball over Elliott, but Holness headed the ball away.

Quakers though levelled on 29 minutes. Holness got down the right and crossed to the far post, where Thompson hit a first time shot that the keeper spilled, but Campbell was on hand to tap in, his fifth of the season.

The home side nearly regained the lead with a left foot shot by Avery that Elliott saved well at the foot of his left hand post, and at the other end Campbell tried a free kick from 20 yards that went into the keeper’s hands.

Half time 1-1

Quakers made a sub at half time, Ben Hedley came on for Tyrone O’Neill, who was injured in a challenge by Bradley-Hurst on the half hour.

At the start of the second half, Will Hatfield made a good run into the box past two men and then went down when he was challenged, but the referee waved play on.

At the other end, Elliott came off his line well to intercept a free kick into his area, and then he hacked the ball clear.

Rivers made a great run up the left into the box and tried to set up Campbell, but a defender intercepted.

But Gloucester regained the lead on 71 minutes, when Vince Harper made a good run upfield, and the ball was laid back for Hanks 25 yards out to hit a right foot shot that took a deflection on its way past Elliott.

Rivers was denied again with a right foot shot that the keeper fumbled.

Quakers' response was to put on Brandon Morrison for Joe Wheatley

Quakers made another sub, Lucas Bell coming on for Thompson, and his first action was to hit a right foot shot that the keeper fumbled.

Final score: Gloucester 2 Darlington 1

 

Team: Elliott, Holness, Watson, Wheatley (sub Morrison 77), Laing, Galbraith, Rivers, Hatfield, Campbell, Thompson (sub Bell 88), O’Neill (sub Hedley 46)

Subs: Stansfield, Heaton

 

Gloucester

Bradley-Hurst, Thomas (sub Smith 68), Harper, Harrison, Avery, Knowles, Parker, Hanks (sub Myrie-Williams 83), Jackson (sub Kotwica 59), Russe, Robert

Subs Johnstone, Hainault