City went to Halesowen today and although they earned a point will ultimately be disappointed that they conceeded a relatively soft goal from Paul Devlin's free kick with just ten minutes left for play.
The Tigers had taken the lead in the first half when Marc Richards stole in at the far post to head home Neil Musote's free kick and Jimmy Cox had a great chance to double the score in the second period but he could only shoot at Yeltz keeper James Dormand. Substitute Junior Brown somehow missed an open goal after Ray Johnston had fluffed a clearance but having seen him at Ciren a fortnight ago I wasn't surprised because he looked awful up there too.
To hear Tim Harris's thoughts of the game click here.
Marc Richards watches his header go in off the post at Halesowen
Wednesday 28th March 2007
Laura Meheran Awesome display
The Ladies put a disappointing spell behind them with a fantastic victory over a buoyant Bath City team at Meadow Park tonight.
For once Kookie Patel gave up the gloves for a game outfield whilst Chloe Limbrick took her place between the sticks for a competent full debut. Attacking wise Laura Meheran had an outstanding game and scored twice, her first came when she latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Donna Turner and her second was a delightful diving header from another Turner assist.
In between Donna plundered a superb shot that was too hot for the Bath keeper to handle whilst the Romanettes (!) scored either side of half time to give the scoreline a closer look than it probably deserved.
See Laura's first and Donna's goals below and click here to see Meheran's diving header which I managed to cut the actual finish off!
Laura Meheran scores City's first and Donna Turner shoots from distance for the second against Bath
Saturday 24th March 2007
Marc Richards New Signing
The Tigers recent good run was dealt a blow at Hardenhuish Park today when Chippenham's Sean Seavill scored deep into injury time to condemn City to defeat in a game where they were worth at least a point. A long throw from Ian Herring was headed on to the far post and tricky winger Seavill fired a low shot through Chris Thompson's legs to net all three points for the Bluebirds.
Jimmy Cox had City's best chance of the game when he beat two defenders but saw his shot fly over the bar after it had taken a wicked bobble on the poor playing surface, Marc Richards was also unlucky to see his header from a throw in fly inches over the crossbar but it wasn't to be and City again fell to defeat at Chippenham, a ground where they've lost every game since they won 5-3 in the FA Cup back in October 2000.
To hear a post match interview with Tim Harris click here.
Harris has been busy in the week by not only adding midfielder Cirencester Marc Richards to his squad but also securing current players Jamie Reid and Tom Webb on contracts for next season.
Good God, it's a Chippenham player diving and it's not Gilroy!!!1
Tuesday 20th March 2007
Jimmy Cox Matchwinner
A goal midway through the first half by Jimmy Cox was enough to seperate City from relegation haunted Wealdstone at Northwood FC tonight. The Tigers front man took advantage of an unfortunate defensive mistake to cooly slot a shot under the Stones keeper as City continued their impressive form away from Meadow Park.
The only downside to a great win seems to have been an incident where a young City fan was held in a headlock by one of the home players as the game ticked towards its conclusion. More details to follow....
To hear a post match interview with Tim Harris click here.
Saturday 10th March 2007
Scott Griffin First goal for City
Tom Webb Escaped red card
City came away from Bath today with a well deserved point after holding the wannabe Champions to a 2-2 draw at Twerton Park.
The Tigers gave a full debut to Alex Allard in place of the suspended Neil Mustoe whilst striker Jason Welsh hadn’t recovered from his ankle injury so Dave Wilkinson had a rare start. The hosts were missing Lewis Hogg, Darren Edwards and Scott Partridge although it didn’t seem to matter as they attacked City from the outset.
All the goals came in a twenty minute spell in the first half. Bath opened the scoring when a combination of ex-Tigers Mark McKeever’s free kick and a Chris Holland header saw the ball ricochet off the unfortunate Lyndon Tompkins for an own goal. However within thirty seconds the scores were level when Scott Griffin cushioned a Jamie Reid lofted pass for City captain Alex Sykes to send in a half volley from the corner of the penalty area which bounced awkwardly for Paul Evans in the Bath goal and went tamely in much to the ex-South Africa Internationals’ embarrassment.
But the Tigers continued to give away soft free kicks and Davidge was well placed to stoop and head home a well worked move from the aerial threat of McKeever and Holland. Speedy forward Davidge got in behind the City defence and should’ve made it three when Ray Johnston rushed off his line with no hope of getting near the ball but the Bath striker’s effort ran narrowly wide of the far post. After that let off City equalised when an uncharacteristic mistake by Holland saw Griffin through on goal with just the keeper to beat and he finished low to Evans’ right to spark celebrations among the travelling Tigers.
Referee Mr Rushton of Pewsey didn’t make himself popular with the home fans when having just booked Tom Webb he let the City man off following an accidental clash with Sekani Simpson which looked worse than it was.
The second half was an altogether different affair with the Romans struggling to break down a resolute City defence whilst when the Tigers did get a chance to attack they didn’t exploit the extra room afforded them with any quality. After what seemed like a very generous amount of injury time the final whistle was warmly greeted by the City players and their followers whilst Bath will hope that the two dropped points don’t spoil their proposed Championship celebrations.
Alex Sykes celebrates Paul Evans' cock-up and Scott Griffin bangs home City's second
Sunday 4th March 2007
Yvette Kemp First & Last goals
Kelly Aldridge Two more goals
Gloucester City Ladies progressed to the semi-final of the SWWFL Premier Cup by the odd goal in nine at a muddy Meadow Park this afternoon.
The game almost had a perfect opening for the Tigresses when Donna Turner lashed home a twenty yard shot but the goal was chalked off thanks to the kind of offside decision that brought back memories of some of the dubious assistant refereeing in the County League days.
However it wasn't long until City scored a legitimate goal when Yvette Kemp ran from deep to connect with a through ball before winning a fifty/fifty ball in the penalty area and shooting past the Team Bath keeper.
Within ten minutes the students drew level when a free kick of their own was diverted into the top corner with a deft header that gave City goalkeeper Kookie Patel no chance.
But a brace from in-form striker Kelly Aldridge before half time gave Gloucester a two goal cushion. Her first was from an angled run that saw her change direction to shoot into the far corner and leave the goalkeeper wallowing in the mud whilst her second was a clever chip into the opposite side for her twenty-first goal of the season.
The second period didn't start too well for City as Kookie was caught out by a long range shot which flew in despite her valiant effort to turn it over the bar but Turner restored the two goal cushion with a cheeky direct free kick from close to the centre circle which curled low inside the near post with the Bath keeper expecting it to go wide.
The fitness of the students began to tell as they enjoyed their best spell of the game and scored twice in quick succession to level matters. Their third was an own goal by Donna Turner who was surprised by the pace of a corner kick and their equaliser again came from distance taking advatage of the City keepers lack of height.
City though didn't suffer from the loss of their two goal lead and went on to score a deserved winner as Yvette Kemp poked in her second of the afternoon to send the Tigresses into the semi-final of the Premier Cup.
Saturday 3rd March 2007
Matt Shaxton Missed Opportunity
City were left to rue several missed chances as the final whistle blew on this local derby at Meadow Park against Cirencester Town this afternoon.
The first half saw neither Kev Sawyer in the Centurions goal nor City's Ray Johnston really troubled, although the Tigers were denied an embarrasingly blatant penalty when Jason Welsh was freight trained by a Ciren defender as he shielded a bouncing ball.
The second half saw City step up a gear though and produce a number of chances which brought the best out of Sawyer. Tom Webb made a mazy run into the area and shot only to see it loop up off a defender's leg, it fell to Alex Sykes six feet out and his point blank shot was brilliantly saved by the Ciren keeper. He then scrambled off his line to block Matt Shaxton's effort after Sykes had found the youngster unmarked in front of goal and finally he blocked Scott Griffin's close effort from Webb's low cross.
Click here to hear what Tim Harris's thoughts from the game.
Tuesday 26th February 2007
Alex Sykes 30yd strike
City's impressive five month unbeaten run away from Meadow Park finally came to an end tonight at the hands of the students (ahem, professional footballers) of Team Bath.
New signing Luke Buttery was drafted in from Cinderford Town and made his debut at left back in place of Paul Stonehouse who had returned to Forest Green Rovers. For a while it seemed as though it might be a winning bow for the defender as Alex Sykes gave the Tigers the lead with an audacious thirty yard lob over Team Bath keeper Darren Chitty who had strayed off his line.
But, the second half belonged to the pro's and their superior fitness (and ability) told. George Friend set up the equaliser with a run down the left wing and cross that was finished by Steve Abbott and the same player popped up in injury time to fire home after good work by Matt Williams.
Chris Thompson had the best chance for City in the second half when a burst through the defence only just failed to bear fruit as Chitty repelled his shot with a smart save. Every other attack seemed to be nullified by an overly keen linesman who flagged like he was doing overtime at Clapham Junction.
Click here to hear what Tim Harris had to say after the final whistle.
Sunday 25th February 2007
Donna Turner 25yd strike
Gloucester City Ladies put a week of two disappointing results behind them this afternoon with a hard fought win at Coombe Dingle against the University of Bristol in the quarter-final of the Pat Sowden Trophy.
Charlotte Benson-Wilson came into the side for Jade Lewis who suffered suspected ligament damage in the narrow County Cup defeat at Bristol Academy on Tuesday and had an impressive game on the right side of midfield but it was Donna Turner who broke the deadlock for the Tigresses when she won possession with her back to goal, turned and lashed home a shot from fully thirty-five yards.
It remained that way until just after the break when Laura Meheran was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Kookie Patel in the City goal guessed the right way but was unable to prevent the equaliser.
This seemed to spur Gloucester on and defending with a high back line proved to be a mistake for the home team as Kelly Aldridge twice broke through to score, the first was a well controlled shot on the run from the edge of the box and the second was poked between the keeper and a defender to give City a two goal cushion.
The University did pull a goal back but it was that deep into injury time that it was virtually the last kick of the game.
The only downside to the game were bookings picked up by Yvette Kemp and Laura Stephens, both for dissent against a referee who seemed more than comfortable officiating womens football!
In the Semi-final City face a trip to either Cullompton Rangers or Bristol Academy 'A'.
City's game away at Maidenhead on Saturday was called off at 10am due to a waterlogged pitch.
Tuesday 20th February 2007
Ray Johnston Impressed
The Tigers made it three wins out of three at Meadow Park tonight with a 2-0 victory over relegation haunted Corby Town. A tenth minute half volley from Jason Welsh netted his twelfth goal of the season was added to in the second half by Tom Webb who collected a pass from Welsh to slot a shot inside Ian Pledgers far post.
Goalkeeper Ray Johnston will be pleased with his second clean sheet in two games ahead of Saturdays trip to Maidenhead. He impressed many tonight by keeping the Steelmen at bay while they had their tails up in the first half.
Whisper it quietly but the Ladies were knocked out of the Gloucestershire County Cup tonight by the might of Bristol Academy, the Premier League side made up of the best of Filton Academy and Bristol Rovers teams. To put things in context they are in the semi-final of this years WFA Cup where they'll face Arsenal Ladies. The score tonight? Shh-nil!
Saturday 17th February 2007
Jason Welsh Another great goal
At long last the Tigers have won a home game!
An 11th minute 20 yard shot by Jason Welsh was inexplicably left by rookie Tiverton goalkeeper Sam Hutchings who stood and watched in horror as it rolled inside the post. Chances were few and far between for both teams although Alex Sykes might've doubled City's lead twice within minutes on the stroke of half time. The Tigers did though hold on to record their first victory at Meadow Park since Chippenham were beaten on October 3rd.
Click here to listen to what Tim Harris had to say after the final whistle.
Tuesday's match at Merthyr Tydfil which was the second time that the game has been postponed this season has been rearranged for Tuesday April 3rd.
It has been confirmed that left winger Aaron Wilson has left the club and signed for Taunton Town in the SL South & West Division.
Jason Welsh scores the games only goal and then pressures the keeper looking for more!
Saturday 11th February 2007
Michael Noakes Knee injury
Jason Welsh Bagged a brace
City eased any recent relegation worries with a very good 4-3 victory at Mangotsfield today despite having to endure a nervy final quarter when the home team pulled two goals back to test to Tigers rearguard to their fullest.
Jason Welsh scored twice inside ten first half minutes, his opener came when he forced home an Alex Sykes cross at the near post and the second when he gracefully sidefooted Danny Hodnett's centre from the opposite wing. In between Dave Morrisey had levelled for the Mangos but Jamie Reid restored the two goal cushion for the Tigers seconds before half time when he latched onto Lyndon Tompkins' flicked header from a free kick.
Syko put City further in front just before the hour mark when despite the ball getting stuck in the mud he curled a beautiful shot into the top corner with his right foot leaving the scummer in between the sticks rooted to the spot. The Mango's should've been down to ten men when Morrisey turned and aimed a right hook at Reid but his jab was that feeble that it only scratched an itch on the City man's nose!
However substitute Aaron Cornwall, who scored the late winner for Mangotsfield at Meadow Park became a thorn in our side again when his free kick was too slippery for Ray Johnston in the City goal and then he got another with a low shot into the far corner. But his efforts to con the referee into giving a penalty deep into injury time only earned him a yellow card and then another after the final whistle when he continued to whine.
The only downside to the win was an injury sustained by Michael Noakes who was hurt when Mangotsfield loanee Ryan Parker clattered into his clearance and gave him a twisted knee. Fortunately it doesn't seem to be as bad as first feared when ligament damage was suggested. Noaxy is expected to be back in a few weeks.
Tim Harris was full of praise at the final whistle. Click here to listen.
Aaron Wilson, who wasn't named in the squad at Mangotsfield is rumoured to be signing for Taunton Town. He's obviously a very talnted player but it seems that his style of play isn't suited to a team in our position and will be missed by many on the T-End. Good luck Aaron.
Michael Noakes is injured whilst Jason Welsh celebrates his goal at Mangotsfield
Saturday 27th January 2007
Jason Welsh Scored at Northwood
Just like the encounter at Northwood last season todays victory at Chestnut Avenue has done wonders to lift the gloom from over the City camp after last weeks drubbing by Bath.
A looping header by Jason Welsh, who always seems to score when he plays at centre-back gave City the lead after seventeen minutes and Alex Sykes doubled the advantage with a neat turn and shot at the outset of the second half. Sykes did well in a role just behind Jimmy Cox up front as they terrorised the Northwood defence all afternoon. Neil Mustoe also confounded his critics with a dominating display in midfield whilst Matt Bath played a blinder in the City goal.
The win puts City in fourteenth place with them seven points off the relegation places and equally seven points off the play-offs. Which will it be?
Tim was short and to the point at the end of the game. Click here to listen.
Friday 26th January 2007
Mike Fowler Off to Salisbury
The in's and out's at Meadow Park keep on as Tim Harris continues to reshape his squad in an attempt to avoid a potential relegation battle following City's woeful recent form.
Following last week's addition of Paul Stonehouse on loan from Forest Green Rovers he was turned down by Evesham goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan in midweek and has now borrowed defender Danny Hodnett from Worcester City until the end of the season.
However, leaving City will be midfielder Mike Fowler who has found himself on the bench more often than not recently. The talented playmaker was rumoured to be one of the highest earners at the club and his move to Conference South team Salisbury City will see funds freed up for Harris to attract fresh talent.
Saturday 20th January 2007
Matt Bath Kept the score down
The Tigers slumped to their worst league defeat since November 2005 with a 0-4 loss at home to Bath City this afternoon.
The Twerton Park outfit who are paying out almost £6000 per week (compared to less than £2k at City) were a class above and strolled to victory at a canter with Romans keeper Paul Evans barely forced to make a save in anger all afternoon.
Former Mangotsfield and Yate striker Darren Edwards (with his old man in the crowd looking very Diablo-esque in his Bath City FC wooly hat) gave the one time Conference team the lead as he glanced home a Chris Holland header from Mark McKeever's corner.
With just one goal in it Tim Harris made two changes at the start of the second half but his gameplan was blown out of the water with two strikes in two minutes as both Scott Rogers and McKeever scored to treble the advantage. City huffed and puffed but couldn't pierce the slow Bath defence and it was left to substitute Phil Walsh to head home a Dean Clarke cross to compound the Tigers misery.
There were boo's from the T-End at the final whistle.
Left winger Paul Stonehouse rejoined City on loan from Forest Green Rovers in time for the Bath game for a second spell with the club. The diminutive left sided player has made a handful of Conference appearances this season including a goal at the New Lawn against Northwich Victoria but has struggled to break into new manager Jim Harvey's first team.
Bath keeper Paul Evans - "What goes up must come down!"
Tuesday 16th January 2007
Ben Ashford Debut goal
City are out of this season's Errea Cup at their first hurdle after going down 2-3 at home to Didcot Town in front of a paltry crowd of 126 at Meadow Park.
It started well enough for the Tigers when a clever piece of skill by Joe Tustain set up Jimmy Cox who hit the bar from eight yards and Aaron Wilson headed the rebound against the post and along the line before it was cleared. However within minutes debutant Ben Ashford arrived at the far post to slot home a free kick from Michael Noakes.
Four minutes after the restart though the SL Div One side were level through hotshot Stuart Beavon who is currently subject of seven days notice of approach from Conference side Rushden & Diamonds. The Railwaymen went in front when Beavon laid the ball back for strike partner Ian Concannon to beat trialist City goalkeeper Lee Matthews but Mike Fowler levelled the scores from the spot when Jimmy Cox was impeded by Jamie Heapy. The Welsh midfielder should've netted his second penalty when an Adie Harris shot was handled by a defender but his effort from twelve yards smacked against the crossbar.
The game went to extra time and was goalless in the first period but as penalty kicks loomed Beavon found space and beat the onrushing Matthews to settle the tie in the Oxfordshire sides favour.
It looks as though City won't be able to persuade centre back Adam Garner to come to Meadow Park for the remainder of the season with money being the main sticking point. The former Forest Green and Chippenham defender lives in Bicester and the majority of what the club could offer would go on petrol.
The hunt goes on...
Saturday 13th January 2007
Jimmy Cox First goal back
Alex Sykes Outstanding
City were back in action at Meadow Park for the first time since Boxing Day as they entertained Hemel Hempstead Town on a blustery day as the wind blew ferociously from Hempsted towards the Cathedral.
The Tigers did reasonably well against their free scoring opponents and managed to thwart the potent predatory threat posed by Gary Sippetts and Anthony Thomas only to do the hard work for the Tudors themselves when Jason Welsh sliced a corner into his own net. Dave Wilkinson spared his teammates' blushes though as he powered in to head a corner home at the other end with Jimmy Cox touching the ball in for good effect.
Hemel though set the tone for the game as they retook the lead, this time through a lovely curling effort from hotshot Thomas which slotted neatly into the top right hand corner. But again City found a way back into the game when Cox was put through to shoot under Steve Smith for his first goal of his fourth spell with the club. Sadly the Hertfordshire side were allowed to go back in front on the stroke of half time when Neil Mustoe saw his simple pass cut out and former Aylesbury winger Paul Edgeworth was on hand to pass a shot inside the far post.
City dominated for the first part of the second half and after coming close on a number of occasions grabbed an equaliser when Alex Sykes, the thinking mans footballer swung a corner directly in and found the net at the far post. Sykes came close again but as the wind died down and the rain started to fall Thomas was allowed too much space as defenders backed off and he gleefully rolled his second and Hemel's fourth into the bottom right hand corner.
Tim Harris wasn't happy after the game, hear his thoughts here.
In an attempt to bolster his lacklustre defence Harris has been talking to Adam Garner who has recently been released from Chippenham Town. Although there are understood to be at least two clubs interested it is hoped that he will choose to join the Tigers.
Jimmy Cox scores against Hemel and then celebrates with his teammates
Monday 1st January 2007
Joe Tustain Scored equaliser
Chris Thompson Broken Nose
City made the short trip to a very wet Hand Stadium this afternoon and came away with a point thanks to a late equaliser from substitute Joe Tustain.
Tim Harris could only name three players on the bench after losing both Jamie Reid and Tom Hamblin in the warm up. It also meant that Jason Welsh had to drop back to centre half to cover for Hambo so Jimmy Cox operated as a lone striker against an experienced Clevedon defence.
The home side took the lead on twenty-nine minutes when ex-Bristol Rovers player Andy Gurney directed a header just inside the post but within a minute the scores were level when Welsh stole in unmarked to nod in Tom Webb's header across goal. Alex Sykes almost gave City the lead just before the break but his long drive smacked off the crossbar and away to safety.
The second half was a much more sombre affair and after Chris Thompson had left the field with a broken nose Leon Hapgood put the Seasiders back in front when he controlled a flick from Gurney and smashed a shot into the corner of the net. However the Tigers refused to leave without a point and in the ninetieth minute Tustain rose highest to send a header over the line, although it seemed that Ollie Barnes would be awarded the goal at the time as he smashed Hapgood's desperate clearance into the back of the net.
Hear what Tim had to say after the game by clicking here and view a few photos from the game here.
Despite the best efforts of the groundstaff Saturday's home game against Yate Town fell victim to the weather after a downpour at 2pm left the pitch unplayable. Tiger Roar will have details of the re-arranged game as soon as they are known.
Tiger Roar news streams from Oct, Nov & December 2006 can be found here
Page last updated : 20th November 2008
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