Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2005 Q3
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| Wednesday 28th September 2005 |
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Brian Hughes
Lucky victor |
When the chips are down you get no luck, it's a simple as that. Last night City fell to another defeat, this time against Brian Hughes' Cirencester Town yet the decider in what should've been a dour goalless draw came with a Neil Arndale penalty after Bristol referee Stephen Robbins had been suckered into giving a penalty following a dive in the area by Kevin Halliday.
City's defeat compounds a bad few days for the club following Sunday's double disaster for the Ladies teams. The firsts crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-3 reverse at home to Team Bath whilst the second XI were hammered 0-10 by Downend Flyers. If there was any consolation then victory in the FA Cup would've mean't a trip to Newquay in the next round. Kelly Aldridge and Helen Wood got the goals for City. |
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| Tuesday 20th September 2005 |
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Don King
A Great Servant |
Away from football City have lost a great servant, friend and supporter following the passing of former director Don King. Don hadn't been well for the past few months and had bravely fought his illness long enough to see England win the Ashes and also watch his beloved Gloucester City again. Among his last games was the tremendous 5-1 victory over Rugby Town and he was first down to congratluate Chris and his team for their performance.
Don wasn't only actively involved at Meadow Park, he was also the driving force behind the Gloucester and District Sunday League and would've been known to pretty much everyone who has played locally over the past few decades. Don's funeral will be held at Grange Road Baptist Church, Grange Road, Tuffley at 1pm on Monday 26th September. |
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| Sunday 18th September 2005 |
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Lorraine Johnson
Sealed the win |
As per normal the Ladies lifted the gloom at Meadow Park with a superb 6-1 victory over Exeter City Ladies this afternoon. Sitting proudly at the top of the table from the opening day of the season this kind of display against the better teams will keep the Tigresses at the summit throughout their campaign.
It wasn't all plain sailing though as the Devon side took the lead following a rare slip from Grace McCatty but within minutes Helen Wood had equalised with a shot from distance that needed a deflection to outfox Grecians keeper Sarah Bell. City came close to adding to their lead through the half but had to wait until injury time for Wood to net again when her shot deflected up off the stranded keeper and bounced kindly to loop into the net and away from Bell's despairing dive.
The second half was all one way traffic though as Yvette Kemp put daylight between the teams with a firm shot from the edge of the box before clever play and good refereeing allowed Laura Meheran to run onto her own pass with players in offside positions. The talented wing back headed straight for goal and finished to make it four. McCatty was pushed into a more advanced role and made up for the first goal by rounding the keeper to notch one of her own before Lorraine Johnson finished the scoring with a powerful run and shot inside the near post to signal to the whole league that City mean business this year!
For photos from todays game click . |
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| Grace McCatty rounds the Exeter keeper and scores City's fifth this afternoon at Meadow Park |
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| Saturday 17th September 2005 |
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Matt Bath
Unlucky today |
Another Saturday, another defeat or so it goes. However today Chris Burns' men can count themselves unlucky not to have come away from Twerton Park with at least a point following a spirited display in a well balanced match against the students. Giant striker Shaun Canham (who I'm sure Burnsy would love to have) proved to be the matchwinner when he found some space at the far post to rise and head home a cross despite the best efforts of Matt Bath who got a hand to the ball but not enough to turn it around the post.
City did have their chances though with Keith Knight going close with a left foot drive from outside the area and a diving header at the far post whilst Richard Kear completely fluffed a shot from eight yards with just the keeper to beat.
For a some photos click and for a summary click . |
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| Matt Bath had a busier afternoon than his opposite number at Twerton Park |
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| Thursday 15th September 2005 |
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Chris Burns
to wield the axe |
City boss Chris Burns has indicated that he will be forced to make some high profile cuts from his playing squad after this weekends game at Team Bath following his teams humiliating exit from the FA Cup at Christchurch on Tuesday.
After Saturday's inept showing the early signs were that City would progress as they mostly dominated the first period with Lee Davis almost forcing an own goal from Simon Elliot and Richard Kear blazing over when put through by Chris Thompson. But it was the home side that scored first when Dave Roberts met a left wing cross to slam the ball past Matt Bath. The second half was worse as X'ch punished the Tigers twice in quick succession with strikes by Reza Sotoudeh and Lewis Till. The only reply came from Daryl Addis but Gareth Barfoot got down well to deny the City striker's effort.
The New Forest is well known for its ponies but on Tuesday night they were joined by eleven asses. Nice one City!
Click for a summary. |
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| Sunday 11th September 2005 |
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Laura Stephens
Five goals |
After the men drew a blank in the FA Cup yesterday the Ladies side started their own campaign in this years national competiton and overshadowed their male counterparts with a fantastic 12-0 win over Exeter side Alphington Ladies.
The goals came thick and fast throughout the game although there were more after the break as the the Alphington heads dropped. Helen Wood opened the scoring in the third minute with a well placed drive from outside the box but Yvette Kemp bettered that strike with a measured lob from further out before Laura Stephens bagged the first of her five as the interval approached.
In the second half the floodgates opened as Kelly Aldridge scored with a far post header, Mouse converted a free kick with a shot that was too hot for the keeper to handle and Stephens easily lofted a direct free kick into the top corner. Mouse got her hat trick with a penalty before getting her customary fourth, Laura Stephens then added two more, a close range lob over a dumfounded keeper and a carbon copy of her long range chip. She then created another for Mouse to rifle in at the far post before ending the scoring with another of her own!
For photos from this great game click . |
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| Helen Wood and Laura Stephens who bagged five goals each against Alphington this afternoon |
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| Saturday 10th September 2005 |
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Meadow Park
Rain sodden |
City can count themselves lucky to still be in this seasons FA Cup following a tough encounter with Wessex League team Christchurch at Meadow Park this afternoon. Our opponents from the same standard of football as Shortwood United showed no respect for City's standing and could've scored twice in the opening few minutes. However the game was spoiled by a New Orleans style downpour that made it hard for both teams to control the ball and pass it around, although our guests seemed to be coping better than Chris Burns men and continued to dominate the game.
The visitors had a chance again at the start of the second half. It was that close that the away dugout were off their feet as it flashed past Matt Bath's far post, but as the rain steadied so did City and the Tigers laid siege to the Christchurch goal, alas to no avail. The replay is in Dorset on Tuesday (k/o 7.45pm).
For a small number of photos click and for a summary click . |
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| Both ends of Meadow Park awash with rainwater at half time |
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| Sunday 4th September 2005 |
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Helen Wood
Opening Day Hat-trick |
City Ladies started off their season in style with a superb 7-2 win away at Poole Town Ladies. Having suffered a season out through injury Jade Lewis will have been disappointed to pick the ball out of the net at the start of her first game back (as goalkeeper) but despite the early setback the rest of the team turned on the style to overwhelm their Dorset hosts.
Laura Stephens equalised for the Tigresses before a Helen Wood brace was added to by further goals by debutant Kelly Aldridge, Yvette Kemp and Sian Rollings. Mouse completed her hat-trick to make it seven before Poole pulled one back but it couldn't spoil a great opening day for City.
The Ladies team are on the lookout for sponsorship for this season, companies and individuals are invited to sponsor their favourite , sponsor or take out an advert in the . All help is much appreciated by Ian, Martin and the Ladies. |
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| Saturday 3rd September 2005 |
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Chris Thompson
First in 18 months |
City bounced back from their disappointing Bank Holiday weekend with a superb 5-2 drubbing of Rugby Town at Meadow Park this afternoon. A lower than usual crowd of 223 were treated to a feast of goals from the Tigers as Scottish Rugby boss Billy Jeffrey grimaced on the touchline following his insistance that the game should kick off at 3pm.
The game had barely started when Lee Davis set up Tom Webb to sidefoot home his first goal of the season but just four minutes later Rory Squire seized upon slack defending to level matters. Adie Harris soon had the Tigers' faithful cheering when he finished off a right wing move with a wonderful strike under the bar from the edge of the area. Midway through the first half it was three to City when Davis was pinned down by a defender in the six yard box, Neil Mustoe stepped up to slam home his second spot kick in five days. Davis himself got on the scoresheet with a tap in following great work from Daryl Addis as City went into the interval with a three goal lead.
The second half was always going to struggle to match the first as the sun shone over Hempsted. Maybe the heat was getting to Matt Bath as he let a David Stone shot go wide only to see it rattle the post and nestle into the far corner as the Midland club looked to reduce the arrears. However City made the points certain when Chris Thompson got on the end of a Webb cross to score his first goal for eighteen months.
For a few photos from the match click and for a short report click . |
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| Chris Thompson rounds off the scoring with his first strike for eighteen months |
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| Monday 29th August 2005 |
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Neil Mustoe
Scored from the spot
Keith Knight
Abused at half time |
City fell to their second defeat in three days this afternoon as Mangotsfield United came to Meadow Park and took all three points with a 1-3 victory. Things started well enough for Chris Burns' men when amatuer defending saw an opponent raise his hand in the area to give the Tigers their first spot kick since October 23rd 2004, Neil Mustoe calmly slotted the ball past Danny Greaves. However within minutes the scores were levelled up when Luke Corbett of the Mangos crafted a penalty of their own as his trailing leg touched Richard Mansell's and he went tumbling. Drew Shore sent Bathy the wrong way from the spot. It got worse as the City stopper misjudged his lines and allowed a hopeful long ranger from Ellis Wilmot to creep in at the far post before on the stroke of half time Robbie Claridge became the first opponent with a sensible name to net when he looped a header over Bath after he was left criminally unmarked for the second time in a matter of minutes.
As you'd imagine tempers flared and a voice from the T-End singled out Keith Knight as the players left the field. Knighter reacted in kind before Burns' second in command re-appeared from the dressing room a few minutes later to apologise to the man who had long since disappeared. Personally I wouldn't have been as quick as Knighter because sometimes things need to be said on both sides and it's good to get it out in the open!
The second half proved to be a goalless affair, although it wasn't for the want of trying. Both sides tried but failed to breach each others defences and the only statistics of note were a spate of bookings for both teams.
For a gallery of photos from the match click and for a summary click .
With Yate Town beating Tiverton at Lodge Road this afternoon the defeat sees City sink to second from bottom. A win for Northwood over Aylesbury tomorrow night would leave the Tigers dead last after just six games. |
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| Luke Corbett's trailing leg touches Richard Mansell's and whoops-a-daisy over he goes! |
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| Saturday 27th August 2005 |
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Lance Lewis
"Didn't touch him" |
Neither team got what they deserved at Ladysmead this afternoon as Tiverton Town beat City thanks to a Steve Winter penalty on the stroke of half time. The spot kick was awarded when a home player brushed in front of Lance Lewis inside the area and fell to the ground, however the City mans feet were firmly planted on the floor and his arms by his sides in a disinterested pose replicating his stance that he'd taken since the kick off.
Chris Burns' plan to play one man up front had given too much respect to what turned out to be an ordinary looking Tiverton team, rumoured to be on a budget of over £5000 per week (no wonder their Chairman used his programme notes to describe them as "inept"). As the game wore on City switched to three up front with Tom Webb firing into the side netting, Lee Randall seeing his clever flick pawed off the line and Lee Davis being denied by a great reaction save by Mark Ovendale in the last minute.
Heads up boys we won't get a useless w@nker of a referee like that every week.
For pictures from the game click and for a match summary click .
In the preliminary round of the FA Cup Dorset side Christchurch whooped Bishops Sutton 5-0 to earn a trip to Meadow Park in two weeks time. |
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| Wednesday 24th August 2005 |
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Lee Davis
Predatory strike |
Chris Burns' men were desperately unlucky to only earn a point at home to Merthyr Tydfil last night as the Welshmen bagged an injury time equaliser to send their fans ecstatic for their journey back over the Severn Bridge whilst the City Supporters were left to rue their continued bad luck.
Burns himself returned to the action following his ban and replaced Marvin Thompson at the heart of defence and it was his header from Keith Knight's 39th minute free kick that rebounded off the post for Lee Davis to score and provoke the most subdued goal celebration that I can ever remember at a segregated Meadow Park. However just as it seemed that the Tigers would survive constant pressure from the Martyrs Dane Williams seized on a half cleared throw to volley through a crowd of players and beat the otherwise unflappable Matt Bath on his near post. Despite not being a dirty game City picked up four bookings (Thompson, Griffiths, Webb & Mustoe) to Merthyr's two (Keddle & Steins).
For a summary of the match, click . |
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| Sunday 21st August 2005 |
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Lee Davis
Scorer at Cheshunt |
City picked up their first point of the 2005/06 campaign at Cheshunt yesterday with a 1-1 draw although having dictated as much as if not more play than the home side Chris Burns will be disappointed to have only netted the one point and not all three. Lee Davis, a surprise choice as striker due to illness (Lance Lewis) and injury (Richard Kear) was a revelation as he chased down every loose ball and showed the ineffective Kear how it was done. Lee took a chance on a poor back header in the twenty-third minute to score City's goal as he slotted the ball past the keeper and then into an empty net. Sadly Burnsy's men couldn't hold onto the lead as George Gregoriou equalised at the start of the second half with a superb shoulder high volley that gave Matt Bath no chance.
For a few photos from Cheshunt click and for a match summary click .
City striker Jimmy Cox has signed for Hellenic League side Bishops Cleeve following his return from Australia. Having been travelling all summer it'll take the T-End favourite a few games to regain his match fitness but once he does I'm sure he'll bang em in at that level. Tiger Roar wishes Jimmy all the best and thanks him for the memories (Woking, Southport etc).
Tuesdays match at home to Merthyr Tydfil will be segregated at the request of the South Wales Police. |
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| Wednesday 17th August 2005 |
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Daryl Addis
Best of a bad bunch |
City travelled to Chippenham Town last night and even though the season is just two games old Chris Burns's side was blighted by injury and suspension. Therefore it should've come as no surprise that the home side scored three times without reply to take the points and push the Tigers into the bottom two. The goals, a low drive from James Constable, soft header from Gary Thorne and a dreadful own goal by Marvin Thompson means that the Bluebirds have now scored three against the City on each of the last four occasions that the two sides have met.
For a few photos click and for a match analysis click . |
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| Saturday 13th August 2005 |
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Matt Bath
Goalscorer!!! |
City got their season off to the best possible start against Kings Lynn today with a fifth minute goal from Matt Bath. For those that didn't hear, yes, the goal was scored by Matt Bath! The City keeper held a speculative long range effort before punting the ball upfield, it took a massive bounce on the edge of the penalty area before dropping beneath the bar and over the desperate Linnets keeper.
Sadly though a rather flat performance attacking wise was the Tigers' downfall with the only other threat going forward being Neil Griffiths. The Lynn goals came in a ten minute spell before the break with one time UEFA Cup finalist Cedric Anselin's angled drive followed by a strike by potent forward Danny Bloomfield.
Another disappointment was the number of yellow cards picked up by the Tigers with Richard Mansell, Griff (who was lucky not to get sent off in the second half), Lee Davis and Jamie Reid all having their names taken by the Crewe based referee. Surprisngly Muzzie WASN'T cautioned!
For pictures from the game click and for a match report click . |
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| Matt Bath laps up the applause as he scores then tries to get a second late in the game! |
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| Friday 12th August 2005 |
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Lance Lewis
Signed on |
The 2005/06 season finally gets underway with the visit of East Anglian title favourites Kings Lynn tomorrow (k/o 3pm). Ironically Tommy Taylor's men were the last team to come to Gloucester as they suffered a 2-0 defeat thanks to a brace from Neil Griffiths in April and will be looking to set the record straight.
Chris Burns is expected to hand a full debut to talented local youngster Richard Mansell who has done well in pre-season on the left hand side however Richard Kear looks likely to miss the game due to a dead leg picked up between the Shortwood and Wellington matches.
Another new face available to the gaffer will be Lance Lewis, the sprightly former Swindon Town striker who has shown enough to suggest that he may be able to fill Jimmy Cox's boots in the pacy strikers role. It had been suggested that the Barnwood based forward might not be retained on financial grounds but thankfully the money has been found to keep this raw talent at Meadow Park. |
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| Saturday 6th August 2005 |
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Tom Webb
Rare goal at Wellington |
City concluded their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 5-1 victory over West Midlands League side Wellington in rural Herefordshire this afternoon. Despite the published kick off of 3pm the game actually started half an hour earlier and by the time we arrived it was 1-1 with City scoring through an own goal. In the second half the Tigers were on top throughout and rounded off the win with rare strikes from Tom Webb, Neil Mustoe, Jamie Reid and Lee Randall. Ex-City striker Kenny Stiles featured for the Hereford side.
Photographs from Wellington can be found .
Promising young striker Andy Varnham has opted to swap City's yellow and black for the khaki colours of the Army and turn his back on his football career. Having made a number of appearances towards the end of last season this year would've been a useful stepping stone for the robust forward had he not chosen to follow in his fathers footsteps and join the military. |
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| Lee Randall controls the ball, shoots and scores City's fifth goal at Wellington. |
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| Thursday 4th August 2005 |
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Richard Kear
Quality finisher |
City continued their impressive pre-season form at Meadowbank last night with a 3-0 win against Shortwood United. The Nailsworth side, co-managed by former Tigers goalkeeper Mark Sumpter provided tough opposition for Chris Burns' men as the gaffer toyed with his formation by leaving Daryl Addis on his own up front and giving trialist Richard Parsons (from Saturdays' opponents Wellington) a full game with the first half at right wing back and the second on the left. It was Addis who opened the scoring for City with a smart finish through a crowd of players before second half substitute Rich Kear showed a keen eye for goal with two precise strikes from the edge of the box.
For a few photos from Shortwood .
On the previous Saturday City had beaten Brockworth 5-0 with the goals coming from Chris Thompson, Lee Davis and a Chris Burns hat trick! A great day was completed for the gaffer when his fourteen year old son Jake took to the field as a sub for half an hour in the second period. |
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| Daryl Addis and Richard Kear score two of City's three goals at Shortwood last night |
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| Thursday 28th July 2005 |
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Lee Smith
£4000 + 25% |
Cirencester Town bound ex-City favourite Lee Smith will cost Brian Hughes' club £4000 plus 25% of any profits made from a future transfer according to a tribunal held in Bristol today. Although the fee doesn't reflect the time and effort that have been put into the player and neither does it match the fee agreed with Chippenham Town in March it is money that Chris Burns will be very grateful to receive as he looks to build for the coming season.
Lance Lewis, a player who could fill the attacking role left by Smith scored another two goals as City beat Highworth Town 2-0 on Tuesday night. That takes the former Swindon Town striker's haul to seven goals in just five games and the Gaffer has already stated that he would like to sign him if the money was in place. Now's your chance Chris, don't let this one slip through your fingers!
The club have arranged two more friendlies against lower opposition with a short trip to Mill Lane to play Brockworth this coming Saturday (k/o 3pm), whilst the players will face another trip into the unknown a week later as they head to Herefordshire to face Wellington. |
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| Saturday 23rd July 2005 |
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Neil Mustoe
Daft booking |
A threadbare looking City side made the short but nightmare journey down the M5 to Bristol Manor Farm jammed in with thousands of holidaymakers through the bottleneck between Falfield and Avonmouth. Some of the players arrived so late that the game didn't kick off until 3.20pm.
Unavailabilities saw Richard Kear and Richard Mansell rested after taking knocks at Kings Stanley on Thursday whilst Jamie Reid, Adie Harris and Andy Varnham were nowhere to be seen. Chris Burns was at a wedding and Keith Knight was on holiday. That mean't that stand in boss Andy Cook had just Eddie Rimmer on the bench as well as portly local footballer Lee Randall to make up the numbers.
The game itself was little more than a fitness exercise against a resilliant Bristol Manor Farm team, one much stronger than the side that City had soundly beaten in the FA Cup two seasons ago. Lyndon Tompkins grabbed a goal in the first half whilst Lance Lewis finished smartly just two minutes into the second. Neil Mustoe made his mark on the game by getting booked (in a friendly!) with a stupid professional foul on the striker who was clear through on goal.
For pictures from the game . |
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| Friday 22nd July 2005 |
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Andy Varnham
Friendly Hat Trick |
The Tigers responded to their blank against Rochdale with another goalscoring spree against a local side at Kings Stanley last night. TR wasn't able to make it to Stonehouse but it was good to hear that young striker Andy Varnham had got himself among the goals as he plundered a hat trick. The other strikes came from trialist Lance Lewis, Neil Griffiths, Lee Davis and Daryl Addis.
Chris Burns takes his team a little further afield tomorrow when they head down the M5 to face Bristol Manor Farm at the Creek. City last visited the Sea Mills based side two years ago and came away with a comfortable 5-0 win in the FA Cup. Anyone heading down to the game tomorrow is advised to give extra time for the roadworks on the motorway approaching the Avonmouth junction. |
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| Wednesday 20th July 2005 |
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Matt Bath
Forgettable game |
City slumped to a 0-4 defeat against League Two visitors Rochdale at Meadow Park last night with Matt Bath having a game to forget thanks to a couple of soft goals. The Tigers keeper gifted Rickie Lambert the first of his first half hat trick when he attempted to play a short pass in his penalty area and then he didn't move as Lambert rifled in a free kick inside the post that Bath was guarding. The third was a humdinger of a shot from the edge of the box and the fourth goal came via a poor back header from Marvin Thompson.
It's hard to see what Chris Burns could've learned from the match as several players put in uninspiring performances. One plus point came with the appearance of Chris Thompson following a period on trial at Exeter City.
For some photos from the game . |
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| Thursday 14th July 2005 |
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Soton
Not On |
Tonight's friendly against Southampton has been postponed due to a hard pitch. Secretary Jason Mills has posted this on the
It is indeed with much regret that the match has been postponed, as the match referee deemed that the T-end goalmouth was unfit for play. This has happened due to some vandalism and watering problems that meant that some re-turfing was required. Unfortunately despite the efforts of many the turf has not had enough time to bed.
Having spoken with Southampton they are very understanding of the situation and will look favourably at re-arranging the date, but stressed that this may not be possible before the start of the season. They would however be happy to come and play midweek during the season.
Gloucester City AFC apologies for this unfortunate situation, but are working hard to ensure that Tuesday's match still goes ahead. |
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| Tuesday 12th July 2005 |
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Lance Lewis
Debut Hat Trick |
City made the short trip along the Golden Valley Bypass tonight to take on Cheltenham Civil Service in their first friendly of the pre-season campaign. As expected it was all one way traffic at Uckington with Chris Burns' men strolling to a comfortable 9-0 victory.
Despite going for an age last season without being awarded a spot kick it only took five minutes this time around with Lee Davis converting from twelve yards. New boy Richard Kear got in on the goalscoring act not once, not twice but three times before Gloucester based ex-Swindon Town forward Lance Lewis joined him with a hat-trick of his own. Jamie Reid netted his first senior goal for the Tigers before Davis notched a second although he'll wonder how he failed to finish with a hat trick when his effort from a foot out was saved by the CS keeper.
Photos from the game can be found .
Tongues were wagging among the handful of City fans present with absentees Daryl Addis, Neil Mustoe and Chris Thompson, particularly with the rumour that Thommo is interesting Conference side Exeter City. Now that would be a blow if he were to leave. |
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| Trialist Lance Lewis scores two of his three goals for City at Cheltenham Civil Service |
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| Monday 11th July 2005 |
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Kings Lynn
First Day Foes |
The Southern League have released the fixture list for the 2005/06 season and for the first time in three years have handed City a home game to open their campaign. Kings Lynn, a team who many thought would either switch to the Unibond or Ryman League will make the long trek to Meadow Park with with April's 2-0 victory to the Tigers still fresh in their minds.
Chris Burns' men then hit the road for the next two games with a cross-Cotswold trip down to Chippenham on Tuesday August 16th and then into uncharted territory with a visit to Hertfordshire side Cheshunt on the following Saturday.
For a full fixture list . |
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| Friday 1st July 2005 |
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Brian Hughes
FA Trophy Opponent |
The draw for this years FA Competitions have been made with the Cup seeing us handed a home tie in the first qualifying round against either Christchurch (Sydenhams Wessex League) or Bishops Sutton (Toolstation Western League) on Saturday September 10th. Neither tie will be easy although we'll hope for a little more luck than we had at Street last year!
In the FA Trophy first qualifying round we face a few familiar faces as Brian Hughes and Lee Smith will provide Chris Burns' men with a stern test at the Corinium Open Air Arena on Saturday October 15th. If we progress then the second qualifier will see us travel to either Brackley Town or Banbury United. |
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Tiger Roar news streams from April, May & June 2005 can be found
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