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Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2008 Q4
 
Saturday December 27th 2008  
Lee Smith
Quality finish


Tom Hamblin
Harshly penalised
City's first match of the Christmas period ended in frustration at Oxford City today after they were denied all three points when Tom Hamblin was adjudged to have handled the ball in his own area by a linesman from..... Oxford!

David Mehew was faced with team selection problems from the start when striker Will Morford, back home in East Anglia for the holidays was caught up in traffic on the M25 after an accident. On the field Jack Pitcher had City's best chances, even after home keeper Ryan Harrison tried to decapitate him as he raced through on goal in a incident that thirteen year old Bicester based referee Arthur Coggins deemed only worthy of a yellow card.

Ex-Millwall and Brackley Town midfielder Dave Savage was pulling all the strings for the home team and created a wonderful opportunity for Jamie Brooks in the run up to half time but the striker was put off by Kev Sawyer's presence and rolled his shot wide of the upright. With the half in it's final throes Pitcher should've done better when the ball bounced high on the hard surface but he narrowly failed to nod his effort high enough over the grasp of Harrison's leap.

City's first attack of the second half was repelled by a defender who clearly controlled the ball with his arm as he chested it down. Appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee and his non-Gloucester based assistant. Despite the home side having the clearer cut chances it was City who took the lead midway through the half when Lee Smith was forced onto his left foot after being denied the opportunity to cross but it was no fear for the City winger as he stooped and drove in an unstoppable shot that held Harrison motionless. Note to SL defenders; Never underestimate the power of Lee Smith's left foot!

Just after Boris had changed his formation to 4-4-2 to keep Banbury, erm, I mean Oxford at bay they were given a lifeline when a throw-in bounced awkwardly and Hamblin was adjudged to have handled by a linesman who in the first minute gave a throw in against the same player despite the ball not even crossing the line. Darren Pond smashed home the resulting penalty and Muzzie got booked for arguing the toss with ref.

City : Sawyer, Sykes (Marshall 70), Richards, Mustoe, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb (Fathers 85), Pitcher, Ballinger (Morford 63), Harris J. Thomas, Mehew

Download Interview - Photos - Lee Smith's goal

Surprise package Swindon Supermarine are the next visitors to the Corinium on New Years Day (k/o 3pm). Bring your mates and watch City silence the upstarts!

The latest fashion to hit the Milan catwalks - Yellow and black fingerless gloves
The latest fashion to hit the Milan catwalks - Yellow and black fingerless gloves!

First and Second half highlights from Oxford City

Saturday December 20th 2008  
Ashley Thomas
Headed Equaliser


Matt Rose
Sent Off
It was a disappointing day for the Tigers as they were held to a one-all draw at Top Field by Hitchin Town today.

The Canaries had only previously scored three times on their own pitch this term so it was almost Gloucester Cityish that they'd netted within two minutes although the culprit was City midfielder Lewis Fathers who put through his own net at the far post after a free kick wasn't cleared at the first attempt.

The only City attacker who really shone was Jack Harris, who, rumoured by Phil Gough is being watched by scouts from Carlisle United. Ashley Thomas was looking shaky in his role at the heart of defence but he came good when needed as he headed home Alex Sykes' corner just before the break for his first goal of the season. It was good to see Tom Hamblin thrown back into the fray at the start of the second half as he makes his comeback from injury.

The major talking point of the game however came midway through the second half when City's Matt Rose was the victim of a dreadful two footed tackle by Hitchin's Ollie Thorne, yet the City man was shown a straight red card apparently for stamping, even though the lunge was only worthy of a yellow card. Hey ref, have a happy christmas you wanker!

City : Sawyer, Sykes, Richards (Hamblin 49), Mustoe, Thomas, Rose (s/o 76), Smith, Fathers (Webb 55), Pitcher, Morford, Harris J. (not used) Harris A, Mehew

Download Interview - Ashley Thomas goal

A few dates for your diaries; the postponed games against Hemel Hempstead Town and Yate Town have been re-arranged. Hemel will come to The Corinium on Tuesday 20th January (7.45pm k/o), whilst the Yate game reverts to its original date of Saturday April 11th.

Matt Rose is unjustly sent off at Hitchin in the wake of a two-footed tackle that only earned a booking!

First Half Highlights - Second Half Highlights

Tuesday December 16th 2008  
Lee Smith
Scored Opener


Marc Richards
Headed second
City progressed through to the next round of the County Cup with an easy 3-1 win over Mangotsfield United at Cossham Street tonight.

An early goal from Lee Smith was equalised by Mango's striker Marcus Duharty before Marc Richards headed home a corner before half time put the Tigers back in front. Substitute Alex Sykes scored from a narrow angle to make it three midway through the second half before the Bristol teams misery was compounded when defender Scott Hendy was sent off for his second yellow card. It's the second time that the experienced defender has seen red against the Tigers this term and his third in total.

The crowd was a paltry 68.

Nigel Price's text updates from the Mangotsfield match....
  • 19.49 - One up. Lee Smith. Two mins. Could've scored before when Will had shot saved. Bally pass to Lee on right for shot inside left post.
  • 19.56 - One all. Glos players thought offside. Mango's nine Marcus Duharty. Break down rightended up with one on one. Been even since goal.
  • 20.06 - Nearly scored. Aimless high ball dropped by their keeper. Toe poke from Jack cleared off line. Good chance for Lee after hold up play by Jack.
  • 20.13 - Corner from right. Marc Richards header. Two One.
  • 20.28 - Free kick on left. Tackle by hendy. Will shot just over bar. Mango's break away, pulled back and shot just over. 5 mins to go. Bally just had free shot cleared off line.
  • 20.31 - Two one half time we are def on top. Should have scored more.
  • 21.02 - Bally just clean through. Shot at keeper. They have just had their second shot, nearly hit floodlight.
  • 21.05 - Will Morf off Alex Sykes on.
  • 21.14 - Still on top. Mango's bit better. Not so much of a game at present but still chances.
  • 21.17 - Alex Sykes makes it three one. Goal from narrow angle on left. Good finish over keeper into left hand corner.
  • 21.18 - Think about 70 here, not many more. Jack Harris off. Neil Ward on.
  • 21.25 - Mangos just had two very good chances in a few secs. Lucky blocks made, finally offside flag saved us. Hendy just sent off.
  • 21.28 - Lee Smith off for Boris! Only 5 left.
  • 21.29 - (Hendy red card) Couldn't see really but no complaints from anyone. Was second yellow.
  • 21.32 - Final score three one. Poor finishing really on the night. Could have been more. Scott Hendy must love being first in the showers.
City team : Sawyer, Ballinger, Richards, Mustoe, Marshall, Rose, Smith (Mehew 85), Webb, Pitcher, Morford (Sykes 65), Harris J (Ward 75). (not used) Harris A, Hamblin

Saturday December 13th 2008  
David Mehew
Aiiiiii
Todays game against Yate fell victim to the elements with standing water at Cirencester's Cornium Stadium leaving the referee no option but to call the game off. News of the re-arranged game will appear on TR.

The City & County Council's have agreed in principal to let the club build a new stadium at Blackbridge in Podsmead. More news will follow when the club has made it's own press release.

The postponed match meant that the players were nice and fresh for their Christmas fancy dress party in town, as seen below!

Beatles, Superheroes, Flintstones and the only gay in the village!
Tom Hamblin & Jack Pitcher as Fred & Wilma Flintstone Matt Rose & Kev Sawyer
The City team in fancy dress!

Saturday December 6th 2008  
Kev Sawyer
Hit the post
City's mini winning run took a body blow today with a home defeat against fancied Brackley Town, well, I've got £10 e/w on them for the league!

Despite enjoying the majority of possession it was clear to see that Brackley were a well organised unit and the odd chance that they had showed that they could score. They did just that on thirty-seven minutes when Ashley Thomas, seemingly under no pressure lost the ball and was caught out of position leaving Tom Winters with an angled run and a good low shot which almost burst Kev Sawyer's net.

The second half was more City and when Brackley did break they were usually caught offside. But it wasn't until injury time when City should've drawn level as Alex Sykes' corner curled into the net but was cleared by a defender stood behind the goalline, the linesman was either unsighted or useless. In the melee that followed Sawyer, up for the last gasp corner almost prodded the ball home but his shot rebounded off of the upright.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes, Richards, Mustoe, Thomas, Rose, Smith, Webb (Fathers 66), Ballinger (Pitcher 58), Morford, Marshall (Harris J 74). (not used) Harris A, Mehew

Download Interview - Photos

The Tigers' reward for beating Abingdon in the SL Cup is a last sixteen home draw against Yate Town on January 13th.

Defender Matt Sysum has signed a contract with the club until the end of next season but in the mean time has been loaned to tenants Cirencester Town for three months to get some regular match practice.

Luke Ballinger screws his shot horribly wide against Brackley
Luke Ballinger screws his shot horribly wide against Brackley

Saturday November 29th 2008  
Lee Marshall
Scored Opener


Will Morford
Man of the Match
City continued to keep touch with the top five with an impressive 4-1 victory at the Hand Stadium against Clevedon Town this afternoon.

The Seasiders gave as good as they got for the opening throes but were undone by a Lee Smith cross driven across the face of goal for Lee Marshall to slide in and bundle the ball past Danny Greaves in the Clevedon goal. The Tigers doubled their advantage when Will Morford beat the linesmans flag to stride into the area before squaring the ball to the onrushing Tom Webb who sidefooted it inside the far post past the despairing dive of the keeper.

The home team came out on the back of a half time bollocking and were unlucky not to pull a goal back after Kev Sawyer spilled a shot and saw the rebound touched in by Lewis Powell but the goalscorer was offside and the goal was ruled out. After surviving a spell of Clevedon pressure City got their third after Morford prevented a defender from running the ball out of play and passed to Jack Pitcher who was felled as he dribbled between two defenders. With Alex Sykes off the pitch his deputy Smith strode up and buried his effort from twelve yards and put the three points beyond doubt.

Pitcher himself would've been the happiest man at the Hand as he added the finishing touch to star man Morf's shot that was too hot for Greaves to handle but with the clock ticking down big Kev will have been disappointed when he dropped a corner in front of Powell who made no mistake from under the posts.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes (Fathers 63), Richards, Mustoe, Thomas, Rose, Smith, Webb (Ballinger 74), Pitcher, Morford, Marshall (Harris J 71). (not used) Sysum, Keveren

Download Interview
Lee Marshall goal - Tom Webb goal - Lee Smith penalty - Jack Pitcher goal

Some confirmation of fixture changes from the Official Site; the away game at Cambridge on Monday December the 8th has been cancelled due to their involvement in the GX Cup and because of the free saturday on the 13th the Yate game has been brought forward from April 2009.

First and Second half highlights from the 4-1 win at Clevedon Town

Tuesday November 25th 2008  
Luke Ballinger
Clinical Strike
The Tigers progressed into the last sixteen of the very winnable GX Cup with a 3-0 win over Abingdon United, although the scoreline failed to reflect how well the Oxfordshire team played.

City can thank Kev Sawyer for an excellent save at 0-0 as two quick goals, one as a defender put through his own net and a smart strike at the second attempt from Luke Ballinger put the Tigers 2-0 up at the break. In the second half Jack Harris sealed the win for the Tigers as he headed Matt Sysum's cross back past Abingdon keeper Sam Warrell.

The City line up included two new faces, striker Andy Keveren and midfielder Lewis Fathers who has signed as cover for Tom Webb and Matt Rose who are headed towards suspensions for cumulative yellow cards.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes (Richards 45), Harris J, Mustoe (Thomas 38), Sysum, Rose, Smith, Fathers, Keveren (Morford 72), Ballinger, Marshall. (not used) Harris A, Webb

Download Interview - Own goal - Luke Ballinger's goal

The scheduled league match at home to Hemel Hempstead Town has been postponed due to their involvement in the FA Trophy.

Highlights from the GX Cup match against Abingdon United

Saturday November 22nd 2008  
Lee Smith
Equaliser


Jack Pitcher
A Goal!!!
City eased to thier annual three points at Butlin Road this afternoon against a Rugby Town team which offered very little as an attacking force.

After Dave Mehew's men had made a good start without finding the back of the net they'd have been disappointed to see a deflected free kick from Stephan Morley bounce in off the post. However, Will Morford had a great chance to equalise instantly but poked the ball wide before Lee Smith actually did ten minutes later when he controlled the ball before calmly flicking it past a motionless keeper with his left foot. Two minutes later Alex Sykes had the back of his legs kicked and because he was just inside the box the referee had no alternative but to point to the spot for City's fourteenth penalty of the season. Syko made no mistake and netted for his seventh consecutive game to take his season's tally to an impressive twelve goals from twelve games.

A team with bollocks would've come out fighting in the second half so it was a good job that we were playing Rugby. Poor shooting and good positioning made former Bedford keeper Andrews Stevens in the Rugby goal look good and cemented his bottle of champers as man of the match as he restricted City to just one more goal. And what a goal it was too as Jack Pitcher ended his recent drought by dancing his way past four defenders and jinking between the last two before opening his body up and calmly sliding the ball beyond the keeper.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes, Richards, Mustoe, Thomas, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher, Morford (Ballinger 75), Marshall. (not used) Sysum, Harris A, Harris J

Download Syko's Interview -
Lee Smith's goal - Alex Sykes' penalty - Jack Pitcher's goal

David Mehew has added to his forward options with the signing of striker Andy Keveran from Scottish football. The thirty year old is expected to play some part in Tuesday's GX Cup match at home to Abingdon United (k/o 7.45pm)

First and Second half highlights from the away game at Rugby

Saturday November 15th 2008  
Neil Ward
League Debut
The Tigers continued their unwanted record of losses against the teams above them with a 1-3 defeat at home to Corby Town today. The setback follows previous pointless returns against Farnborough, The Yeltz and Merthyr.

After a reasonably even but goalless first half City took an early lead with Jack Pitcher's cushioned header to Alex Sykes who scored his eleventh goal of the season. But a quick equaliser from Dean Brennan and further strikes from Ollie Burgess and Leon Mettam gave all three points to Corby.

Mention has to be made of the away support which was split into three classes. First was the moneymen funding the Steelmen's assault on the title all lined up nicely in the main stand, whilst the oldies stood on the opposite side of the ground berating the linesman every time he failed to raise his flag. Then last but not least the cheap lager swilling foul mouthed teenagers behind Kev Sawyer's goal who spent the majority of the game calling him a "fat c*nt". You give your club a proud name lads.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes, Marshall, Richards, Hamblin, Sysum (Ward 80), Smith, Webb (Twyman 71), Pitcher, Morford, Ballinger (James 66). (subs not used) Harris A, Mehew

Download Interview - Alex Sykes' goal - photos


Alex Sykes' shot finds the far corner against Corby
Alex Sykes' shot finds the far corner against Corby

Tuesday November 11th 2008  
Alex Sykes
Stunning Hattrick


Tom Webb
MOTM & a goal
A hattrick from Alex Sykes plus goals from Will Morford and Tom Webb saw the Tigers ease to a 5-2 victory over Mangotsfield United at the Corinium tonight to put the icing on the cake from what has been a very encouraging few days.

It took just three minutes for City to take the lead after Morford was brought down inside the area and City were awarded a spot kick which Sykes duly put away. The Bristol side hit back with a rare attack and equalised through a header from Marcus Duharty which just squeezed inside Kev Sawyer's far post. Syko restored the lead on twenty-five minutes when he rifled a shot from the left corner of the penalty area inside Josh Clapham's far post and Morford was gifted a goal just before the break thanks to confusion from a backpass between Alex Ball and Clapham. Morf rolled the ball into the empty net.

Minutes into the second half Sykes earned another penalty, incredibly it was the thirteenth given to the Tigers in just eighteen games this season, however this time Clapham was equal and Syko was temporarily denied his third goal. Any chance of a comeback for the Mangos evapourated as defender Scott Hendy was yellow carded twice in a minute and given his marching orders by Hereford referee Andy Williams.

Mangotsfield enjoyed their best spell of the game despite only having ten men but were killed off when Sykes netted a contender for goal of the season as he arrowed a full volley from a flying start with his left foot into the top corner to claim his first hattrick for the club. Substitute Tom Hamblin misjudged a long ball and Duharty rounded Sawyer for his second of the game, a goal which was greeted by silence despite a fair number of Mango fans being in the crowd. Tom Webb capped an impressive performance in midfield when he poked home City's fifth goal of the night to confirm all three points and move the club back up to fifth place ahead of Saturdays home clash with Corby Town.

City team : Sawyer, Sykes, Marshall, Mustoe (James 80), Richards, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher, Morford (Ballinger 74), Harris J (Hamblin 54). (subs not used) Harris A, Sysum

Download Interview - Alex Sykes' penalty - Alex Sykes' 2nd
Will Morford's gift - Alex Sykes' stunner - Tom Webb's goal

If this defeat wasn't enough for the Mango's they have to face the Tigers again, this time at Cossham Street in the County Cup. The game is likely to be played on Tuesday December 16th with a 7.45pm kick off. The traditional noddy nature of the competition may well see a weakened City team but a win in Bristol will mean the overall record against Danny West's heroes will be levelled at ten wins apiece from twenty-two games.

First and Second half highlights from the Mangotsfield match

Monday November 10th 2008  
Parmjit Dhanda
Politics & Football
Gloucester City AFC hit the headlines tonight for all the right reasons thanks to the hard work of the Executive Committee and City MP Parmjit Dhanda who held and adjournement debate in the House of Commons to highlight the clubs homeless plight and help get the wheels moving in the search for a new home in Gloucester.

The crux of his appeal revealed that he is looking for either assistance from the Environment Agency to raise the level of the ground at the now abandoned Meadow Park to build a new home on that site or the more exciting proposal of a stadium on the Blackbridge playing fields in Podsmead, a scheme which has the backing of both the City and County Councils. Funding was also discussed and the club will seek to benefit from generous donations from the Football Foundation to develope the Blackbridge site.

Video of the debate and a full transcript is available here.

Saturday November 8th 2008  
Alex Sykes
Spot kick king
City were unable to bounce back from their disappointing FA Trophy exit at East Thurrock last week as they lost 1-2 to Merthyr Tydfil at Penydarren Park this afternoon. The hosts took all three points thanks to two first half strikes and some dodgy floodlight fuses after the interval ;)

Centre half Dale Griffiths gave the home team the lead midway through the first half despite appearing to be hobbling after falling awkwardly in an aerial challenge but still had enough zest to poke a loose ball home after a corner wasn't cleared properly. Their second had more about it as Lee Smith lost possession in his own penalty area and Craig Stiens cooly curled the ball beyond the grasp of Kev Sawyer into the far corner. Smith made amends after the break when he won a penalty which Alex Sykes converted but the Martyrs held out to continue their impressive run.

City team : Sawyer, Ballinger (Sykes 62), Marshall (Richards 45), Thomas, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb (Sysum 75), Pitcher, Morford, Harris J. (subs not used) Harris A, Nash

Download Interview - Photos - Alex Sykes' penalty

City's reward for beating Evesham United in the GX Cup is a home tie against Abingdon United. The game will be played on Tuesday November 25th at the Corinium Stadium.

Will Morford jumps for a high ball at Merthyr Tydfil
Will Morford jumps for a high ball at Merthyr Tydfil

Saturday November 1st 2008  
Jack Harris
Gave City lead
Remember that night in Woking in February 2003 when the Mighty Tigers slayed the Cards? Remember a few weeks later when two coachloads of City fans travelled to Southport to watch the Sandgrounders beaten on their own pitch? Well there won't be any memories added to those vintage thoughts after Dave Mehew's men were dumped out of this seasons FA Trophy by Ryman League Division One north side East Thurrock United 4-2.

On the desolate southern reaches of Essex in torrential rain City looked a cut above for the first twenty minutes with Jack Harris putting them ahead after eight minutes with a deflected header from a corner. Jack Pitcher should've made it two when he got to a rebounded Lee Smith drive but could only scoop the ball over the bar before Lee Marshall gave too much room for a winger to cross perfectly onto the head of the Thurrock striker to level matters. Marshall was again at fault as he tried to let the ball run out of play and their man nipped it back before passing to top scorer Dave Tuohy to score.

Thurrock killed the game minutes after the restart when their man headed home unmarked at a corner but even though substitute Alex Sykes pulled one back with a smart header from Harris' cross a rick from keeper Kev Sawyer handed the home team a fourth goal to extinguish any hopes City might've had of progressing further in this season's competition.

City team : Sawyer, Ballinger (Sykes 62), Marshall (Richards 45), Thomas, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb (Sysum 75), Pitcher, Morford, Harris J. (subs not used) Harris A, Nash

Download Interview - Photos - Jack Harris' goal - Alex Sykes' goal


Lee Marshall slides in to tackle on the soaking wet East Thurrock pitch
Lee Marshall slides in to tackle on the soaking wet East Thurrock pitch

Tuesday October 28th 2008  
Karl Nash
First City goals
With their focus firmly fixed on the FA Cup Evesham could be forgiven for not taking this GX Cup tie seriously as they fell to a 3-0 defeat against the Tigers.

With City boss David Mehew away Tim Harris took charge of the team and used the game to give a first start to young midfielder Jack Twyman as well as a place on the bench for ex-Taunton Town defender Neil Ward who is training with the Tigers whilst playing for Winterbourne United in the Hellenic League.

However it was another debutant, striker Karl Nash who bagged the first when he turned in Lee Smith's cross at the far post in the tenth minute. With the referee about to blow for half time Will Morford beat the offside trap to score City's second and Nash put the result beyond doubt with a second after beating two defenders with the game in it's final throes.

City team : Sawyer, Sysum (Ward 78), Marshall, Twyman (James 63), Thomas, Rose, Smith, Webb, Nash, Morford, Harris J (Pitcher 63). (subs not used) Harris A, Richards

Striker Will Morford has signed a contract with the Tigers until the end of the season following his return to the club in recent weeks.

Saturday October 25th 2008  
Lee Smith
Penalty scorer
Six-pointer's are great when you win them, but as was the case today against Halesowen, not so when you don't!

At a windswept Corinium Stadium the Yeltz showed that they're a cut above any of our opponents so far by the way that they were able to pressure David Mehew's men despite playing into the elements. Even so, it was a scrappy affair and the Brummies were charitable enough to miss an open goal from a foot out and even more so when they fouled Lee Smith for a penalty which the same player converted in first half injury time.

Halesowen got back on an even keel at the start of the second period when they were awarded a penalty of their own, despite Tom Hamblin's challenge looking to be outside the area. Darren Caskey's words to the referee at half time obviously had a positive effect. Mark Danks sent Kev Sawyer the wrong way but as the game looked to be heading for a score draw the City keeper came off second best in a challenge with Yeltz striker Justin Rowe to hand the points to Morrell Maison's team.

City team : Sawyer, Sysum (Thomas 85), Marshall, Richards, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher, Ballinger (Morford 54), Harris J. (subs not used) Harris A, Twyman, James

Download Interview - Photos

City's reward for their FA Trophy success at Bromsgrove is a trip to Essex next week to face Ryman Division One North side East Thurrock United.

Halesowen keeper Nick Bussey guesses the right way but is still unable to stop Lee Smith's spot kick
Halesowen keeper Nick Bussey guesses the right way but is still unable to stop Lee Smith's spot kick

Saturday October 18th 2008  
Alex Sykes
Record Breaker


Will Morford
Double strike
Gloucester City overcame a tricky hurdle in the shape of Bromsgrove Rovers in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy at the Victoria Ground today thanks to a competant display that saw them soak up the pressure from the home team before killing them off late in the second half.

Alex Sykes gave City the lead from the penalty spot after Jack Pitcher was adjudged to have been fouled, even though it looked as though he'd simply trod on the ball. It may have been a soft award but it made up for the one that the referee failed to give after Pitcher had nipped behind the defneder only to be chopped down as he knocked the ball back out of the area. Bromsgrove equalised with the own spot kick after Matt Rose freight trained Chris Hanna. Keenan Meakin-Richards sent Kev Sawyer the wrong way to score.

In the second half the home side looked sprightly and with the injured Pitcher being replaced by Will Morford City struggled to click and were thankful that Sawyer was more than equal to anything the the Brummies could throw at him. It was against the run of play that City went in front when Morford powered his way past two defenders before pivoting and sending in an exquisite lob that beat the keeper all ends up and went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Some might say that the final 4-1 scoreline flattered City but both Sykes' and Morford's second goals were just reward for the way that the team had held off the Bromsgrove threat before punishing them on the break. Syko netted with clever feet and a dink over the keeper after Morf had played a square ball from the wing and Will got his second with a simple tap in after former Halesowen keeper James Dormand had failed to hold a stinging drive from Lee Smith.

When Syko stroked home his penalty in the thirteenth minute little did he realise that he was writing his name into Gloucester City folklore as he became the most successful spot kick taker in the clubs history. His thirteen goals from twelve yards is one more than Dave Lewis had achieved back in the early eighties whilst the club were at Horton Road. I wonder if Jack Pitcher's dad was playing for the Tigers then?!!

City team : Sawyer, Sysum (Twyman 83), Marshall, Richards, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher (Morford 33), Sykes, Harris J (Ballinger 45). (subs not used) Harris A, Nash

Download Interview - Photos

Alex Sykes makes history as he scores from the penalty spot at Bromsgrove
Alex Sykes makes history as he scores from the penalty spot at Bromsgrove

Friday October 17th 2008  
Marc Richards
A Tiger again
Midfielder Marc Richards has re-signed for the club ahead of tomorrows FA Trophy tie away at Bromsgrove Rovers. Ricco, who originally joined from Cirencester Town in March 2007 and scored twice in his first three games had left the club to link up with Chippenham Town during the summer. In the recent 2-0 win for the Tigers Marc had a hand, or chest in the opening goal as he deflected Jack Pitcher's wayward shot into the net.

Last week's scheduled game away at Rugby Town which was cancelled due to their continued invovement in the FA Cup has been rearranged for Tuesday November 18th (k/o 7.45pm).

Tuesday October 7th 2008  
Tom Hamblin
First goal this term


James Upcott
Has left City
The Tigers climbed to third place with this emphatic 5-1 win over hosts Banbury United at the Spencer Stadium with goals from Tom Webb, an Alex Sykes penalty, Jack Pitcher, Lee Smith and Tom Hamblin.

As well as scoring his first of the season Smith had a hand in three other goals. His cross was flapped at by Banbury keeper Joe Murrell leaving Webb the relatively easy task of finding the empty net, after the Puritans had equalised he won a penalty when the hapless keeper tripped the City man as he stole in from behind him. Syko made no mistake from twelve yards.

Lee then headed Kev Sawyer's kick into Pitcher's path as the striker saw his shot just beat a retreating defnder over the line after Murrell had taken the sting out of his effort. His own goal came at the start of the second half after Luke Ballinger, a substitute for substitute Neil Mustoe who only laster twelve minutes before suffering another hamstring injury had robbed a defender and rolled the ball for Smith to sidefoot home. The scoring was completed by defender Tom Hamblin as he arrived at the right time to nod Matt Rose's cushioned header into the back on the net.

Mention must also be made of Adie Harris who tonight made his one hundredth appearance as a non-playing substitute.

City team : Sawyer, Sysum, Marshall, Thomas (Mustoe 28, Ballinger 40), Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher (Morford 63), Sykes, Harris J. (subs not used) Mehew, Harris A

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Webb goal - Sykes penalty - Pitcher goal - Smith goal - Hamblin goal

James Upcott has left the club in pursuit of regular first team football.

The Supporters are looking to run a coach to the FA Trophy tie at Bromsgrove on Saturday October 18th. The cost will be £10 per adult and £5 for u-14's and OAPS. Please register your interest on the COF.

Kev Sawyer is almost beaten with a shot through his legs at Banbury
Kev Sawyer is almost beaten with a shot through his legs at Banbury - © Banbury Photographic


Saturday October 4th 2008  
Jack Pitcher
Goalscorer-ish
The Tigers bounced back from three successive defeats with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Chippenham Town at the Corinium today.

The Bluebirds, being guided by the ex-Tigers trio of Adie Mings, Tommy Callinan and Gary Kemp, none of whom were blessed with much footballing finesse were really the architects of their own downfall. They contributed to their own demise with an early red card for Ashley Wiliiams when he punched Alex Sykes in the throat and they went on to gift the Tigers two own goals, the first from Marc Richards and the second from Cortez Belle. Former Merthyr star Belle was recently the subject of an £8000 bid from Halesowen. Isn't it true that fools and their money are easily parted?

City are next in action on Tuesday night at Banbury United (k/o 7.45pm).

City team : Sawyer, Sysum, Marshall, Thomas, Hamblin, Rose, Smith, Webb, Pitcher, Sykes (Ballinger 72), Harris J. Upcott, Harris A, Twyman, James

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A date for your diaries; City have been drawn away at Evesham United (to be played at St Georges Lane, Worcester) in the First Round of the GX Southern League Cup. The tie will take place on Tuesday October 28th. Also next Saturday's scheduled game away at Rugby has been postponed due to their involvement in the FA Cup, whatever that is.

Ex-City defender Marc Richards deflects Jack Pitcher's effort into his own net
Ex-City defender Marc Richards deflects Jack Pitcher's effort into his own net



Tiger Roar news streams from July, August & Sept 2008 can be found here
 
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