Tiger Roar - Frontpage archive 2012 Q3

Tiger Roar - A website for Gloucester City fans by Gloucester City fans

Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2012 Q3

Thursday September 27th 2012		Chris Holland new signing
City have bolstered their fragile back line with the signing of former loanee Chris Holland from Gosport Borough. The centre-half had a short two-month loan spell with the club at Meadow Park under Tim Harris from February to April 2006 playing nine times scoring once. Upon his return to Bath City he was a crowd favourite as they climbed up to the Blue Square Premier before relocating to the south coast where he played for Havant & Waterlooville and Gosport.

Saturday September 29th 2012		Lewis Hogg sent off again
If there was any doubt that this is going to be a long, hard season then todays 0-1 defeat at Droylsden will have been an eye opener to many. The game didn't start well for City with Ben Hunt getting injured in the warm up but with a very defensive looking line up for the Tigers it took the home side until five minutes from the end to score the winning goal through Adam Evans. What followed was worse and should have massive implications on the side, as Lewis Hogg earned two yellow crads in a minute and was sent off for the second time this season. Lewis is clearly a good player but is no use to us sat in the stands, the safety of a contract shouldn't be an excuse for such infantile behaviour that harms the club as much as the player. City : Green, Green, Holland (Rawlings 81), Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Tillson, Davies, Morford, Harris (Corrick 66). Sub n/u : Hunt, Washbourne, Liddiard Report

Monday September 24th 2012		Eastleigh FA Cup opponents
City have been handed a tough looking draw in the FA Cup with a tie against Blue Square South big spenders Eastleigh. With a squad including a player who was on Ł1000 p/w at Newport County and Lee Peacock, who played almost one hundred and fifty times for Bristol City as well as Dale Binns who played a big part in Woking's promotion last year City will have their work cut out to progress. A disappointing start to the season has seen a change of manager at the Silverlake Stadium and having beaten the 2008/09 Southern League Playoff runners-up Farnborough on Saturday it looks as though the Southampton team might have finally woken up and will give the Tigers a real test. However, they said the same about Truro City last year. City fans will remember the last (and only) time the two teams played. When Tim Harris' side had a penchant for conceding goals, going from 2-0 up to 2-3 down in minutes was a bitter pill to swallow as Eastleigh knocked City out in the second qualifying round back in 2006. Read the match report here. This tie is likely to be played on Sunday October 7th due to Whaddon Road being unavailable due to a wedding or something taking place on the Saturday.

Saturday September 22nd 2012		Darren Edwards scored from spot Michael Green own goal Will Morford poachers goal
City progressed to the third qualifying round of this seasons FA Cup with a rather comfortable 2-1 win against Thatcham Town. City took a first half lead from the penalty spot minutes after the Berkshire team had rattled Mike Green's crossbar with one of their two shots on target through the whole game. City won their penalty when Will Morford appeared to be tripped, although had it gone against us I'd have been furious. Darren Edwards made no mistake from the spot. To justify the decision City should've had another penalty when Lewis Hogg was pushed over late in the half, but with these things now, it seems a foul in the area is only a foul if the player makes it look like one. When was the last time you actually saw a penalty given for a proper, hard foul? That said, if Hogg had been adjudged to have dived then he'd have been booked and sent off having already picked up a caution for refusing to release the ball for a Thatcham free kick, a move which didn't please City boss David Mehew. Charlie Hill had also seen a yellow card for shoving Edwards in the opening minutes. Mehew won't have been pleased with the role that Tom Hamblin played in the equaliser by allowing an attacker the space to get in behind him and cross when the unfortunate Michael Green turned the ball past his own goalkeeper. City made amends at the start of the second half though when good work from Tom Webb and Ben Hunt provided a cross for Jack Harris from the right which was parried by keeper Jon Beames only for Morford to appear in the right place at the right time to prod the ball home. It's a position which Morford needs to get himself into more regularly if he's to repeat last seasons goalscoring heroics. The rest of the game passed us by without too much excitement, other than Hamblin almost gifting an equaliser and Steve Davies stinging the keepers hands with an angled drive. The draw for the next round is on Monday. A home game will see us playing on the Sunday, so, North Leigh away please! City : Green, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Tillson (Rawlins 71), Edwards, Morford, Hunt (Davies 62). Sub n/u : Liddiard, Mustoe Report - Photos - Interview Striker Jack Pitcher has been signed as cover for Darren Edwards for the next two games.


Will Morford goes down against Thatcham and City win a penalty

Saturday September 15th 2012		Tom Webb rugby fixture Matt Liddiard tough half Matt Coupe no excuses Darren Mullings injured Jack Harris denied consolation Tom Hamblin did well Jordan Tillson manhandled
Following the euphoria of last week's win against Stalybridge the Tigers had another tough looking trip to Yorkshire, their second in a fortnight following the 1-4 defeat at Guiseley, this time to face title hopefuls FC Halifax Town. Whilst the final result of 0-5 might've disappointed some, there's always more to a scoreline than two digits and a dash. Read on... The team sheet offered a surprise in the City line-up; Sam Rawlings was in and Tom Webb was on the bench. The truth of it seemed to be that, as is the bane of semi-professional sportsmen he had work commitments, a school rugby match and had to make his way up later in the car and not on the team coach. Rugby! Webb's loss in midfield was compounded by that of the suspended Lewis Hogg meaning that Matt Liddiard started just his second game for the City first team, eighteen months after his last. Whilst Liddiard is seen as a promising young player, it was sink or swim for him in the heart of midfield against a very good team so when Halifax took the lead within twenty-seven seconds of kick off the alarm bells might've started to ring. I don't think we'd even touched the ball as they strode down the left wing and sent in a low cross which found Jon Worthington who sidefooted home from twelve yards low into the corner. The shot wasn't the most powerful and it was a surprise that Mike Green was unable to stop it despite having a clear view. That should've been Worthington's last act as from the kick off he lunged straight in at Jack Harris despite never looking like he was going to get a loose ball which was always going to be Vern's. The players initial reaction when pulled up by the referee made it look as though he was going off but the weak official clearly didn't fancy twelve hundred Yorkshiremen on his back for an hour and a half. A disgraceful decision by Paul Graham and one which was to set the tone for the rest of the game. Halifax looked good and it was no real surprise that they scored again, but the manner in which they did was disappointing. A lob behind the defence but wide of the goal found striker Lee Gregory who beat Mike Green to the ball and lifted it over his star jump towards the near post where usually reliable namesake Mike Green failed to keep it out. Such a soft goal to concede. Halifax survived a penalty shout, obviously with this referee when Liam Hogan blocked a header from Darren Edwards with his arm. That was followed by an incident where the City number nine was shaping to shoot and Jason Jarrett caught his foot from behind, again the inept official waved play on. Was the referee even watching? Pathetic decision. City weren't toothless in attack yet it seemed that the best defender on the pitch was carrying a flag and running along the side of the pitch. Every marginal decision was given to the home team and he even ruled Will Morford's goal offside despite him being in line as Darren Edwards flicked his one-two back into his path. Our players might not have been able to match theirs for talent but they still gave a hundred percent, as shown when Harris took a powerful volley full in the chest from close range. Brave, fearless and probably a bit stupid! Winger Washbourne was sacrificed to make way for Webb ten minutes before the break but it was to have an adverse effect as the home team scored a further two goals to put the game beyond City. For once City had shown some defensive nous, Tom Hamblin sliding in to block Dale Johnson's point blank effort after Matt Coupe had slipped but from the ensuing corner Liddiard offered very little resistance at the far post and allowed Gregory to room to turn and volley into the net at the far post. Then two minutes later it was four, Gregory again with his hattrick and again Liddiard was the closest to him, although that meant nothing as the Halifax man was unmarked at the far post to tap in, even a full length dive from Green couldn't stop the in form striker. Between those two goals Webb's cross from the right hand side had bounced off of the crossbar with the keeper beaten. Our luck was out for sure today. The half time break signalled the end of the game for youngsters Rawlings and Liddiard with Jordan Tillson and Aysa Corrick coming on to replace them. The harsh truth was that Liddiard may have been a weak link in at least three of the goals conceded. Tillson's first action was a block tackle with Halifax sub Scott McManus, which the latter didn't seem to like so he threw the City man to the ground under the gaze of the referee. Again, this went unpunished. Webb wasn't so lucky though, his second foul of the game yielded a yellow card and he'd later be joined in the book by teammates Coupe and Corrick, all receiving the same punishment as a second minute leg-breaking challenge. Now whilst the fifth goal might not seem pivotal in the outcome of the game, for me it summed up the afternoon. Morford was in possession in the centre-circle where he was clearly fouled by an opponent, in full view of the linesman. The referee didn't stop the game and the lino didn't flag, two touches later and Greener is beaten, probably by Gregory, who cares1 At this point I went nuts at the linesman for not signalling a foul. Despite my world record number of swear words per sentence he replied, "I thought it was a foul too but I'm not going to flag for a free kick that far away am I?" Could it get any worse? Yes it could. An innoculous challenge from a Halifax corner saw Darren Mullings' shoulder give way again. With all three substitutes used City were down to ten men, although that paled into insignificance considering the discomfort that the popular midfielder was in and the fact that he'll be missing for a large chunk of the season. Even Jack Harris was denied a consolation goal when his powerful shot found Halifax keeper Matt Glennon. Either side and it was in, but Glennon took gathered it at the second attempt, no doubt the first one stinging his fingers. The referee's whistle signalled another soft free kick for the home team and whilst I don't normally condone players dissent, when Edwards shouted that he'd got another decision wrong and had been a disgrace all game I fully agreed with him. I don't mind getting beaten, I've seen City lose often enough but when it's not a level playing field and the officials are so one-sided it really takes the fun out of the game for a supporter. Officials like we had today should be thrown out of the game. City boss David Mehew delegated his post match interview to Captain Matt Coupe who refused to heap blame on the officials like I had and offered no excuses for the heavy defeat. City : Green, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Rawlings (Tillson 45), Liddiard (Corrick 45), Mullings (inj 70), Edwards, Morford, Washbourne (Webb 35). Sub n/u : Hunt Report - Photos - Coupe Interview - Panorama


Mike Green dives full length but can't stop Lee Gregory scoring for Halifax

Monday September 10th 2012		Thatcham Town bad memories
The draw for the second qualifying round of the FA Cup has been made and City have been handed a home tie against Thatcham Town of the Southern League Division One Central. They are currently eighteenth after five games. City fans with long memories will remember when Thatcham beat us at the same stage of the FA Cup in 1996. Read the match report here

Saturday September 8th 2012		Mike Green gave away pen Matt Coupe mistake Darren Mullings backpass blast Steve Davies got equaliser Tom Hamblin two goals! Aysa Corrick new signing
Victories don't come much better than a seven goal thriller settled with an injury time winner with a goal ruled to have crossed the line by the linesman. That's just what those who made the trip to watch City against Stalybridge Celtic were treated to today. For the first time this season City boss David Mehew was able to field his best two centre halves together, yet after twenty-five minutes he might've wondered whether it was worth the wait. Just four minutes into the game Stalybridge were awarded a penalty kick after goalkeeper Mike Green was adjudged to have tripped Mitchell Austin as he raced through, however video evidence shows the foul took place outside the box. Greener was shown a yellow card with the referee indicating that the Celtic winger was going away from goal. Adam Pepper stepped up and scored to Green's left, which seemed obvious to TR because of the stance he took with an obtusely angled run up to open the instep of his foot. Sadly Greener thought differently and dived the wrong way. Jack Harris, on his hundredth start for the Tigers only lasted eighteen minutes before being replaced by Jordan Tillson and just minutes later Matt Coupe had his head in his hands after not getting enough purchase on his back header leaving Jack Laird the relaitvely simple task of lifting the ball over the starnded Green and into an empty net. Laird's lack of celebration when he scored smacked of arrogance. Arrogance that would bite him in the arse just after ten-to-five! City were thrown a lifeline when Stalybridge keeper Alex Cairns picked up a back pass from Tim Ryan and despite having all eleven players on the line Darren Mullings blasted home after Lewis Hogg touched the ball to him. Minutes later and the scores were level when Hogg was the provider again as his corner was headed home by Hamblin despite two defenders jumping for the ball on the line. As half time approached there was a penalty shout at either end, theirs when Pepper dived under a challenge from Hamblin and for City appeals were waved away when Tom Webb got behind a defender and was kicked. In a comedy moment as the players and officials left the field one Stalybridge fan called the referee a coward for not sending Mike Green off. The referee invited him down to the tunnell to discuss it! City had a great chance at the start of the second half when Hogg beat the offside trap down the right hand side and crossed into the middle where George Washbourne dived in and headed wide. Darren Edwards was just behind him and would've fancied that one so didn't look impressed when his teammate missed! Chances at both ends saw Edwards out pace Bembo-Leta and cross for Morford to set up Washbourne, but his shot was blocked before Celtic's Jack Laird drew a good save from Greener at his near post. All of the good work seemed wasted when Stalybridge went 2-3 up on a counter attack with Mitchell Austin shooting under Mike Green following a fast and fluid move which the City defence were always beaten at. City's second substitution was Steve Davies for Washbourne. It was to be Ben Hunt but he'd injured himself in the warm up. Boris had indicated after the game that Davo wasn't even in his thinking this morning so what a great time for an under fire player to make an impact! Pretty much the first thing he did was to have a go from distance, but his shot was blocked just like several others which Jim Harvey's team seemed good at. Greg Wilkinson had Green diving full length with his effort from distance but the echo of the noise it made as it smacked against the advertising hoardings mean't it was wide. If Davies was trying to make an impression he did so when he stole in behind Kelvin Bleau into the six yard box to get his head to Tillson's outswinging cross. Both Bleau and goalkeeper Alex Cairns could only watch as Davo got there first and glanced the ball into the far corner. I think Davo enjoyed that one! That really gave the Tigers something to shout about and Will Morford, playing better than he has so far this season will have rued the chance he had right at the end of normal time where he shot straight at the keeper from eight yards. Morford was instrumental in the lead up to the winning goal. He'd been fouled on the edge of the area and from the free kick Coupe's header back across goal was put out for a corner. From that corner Hogg swung in a perfect ball into the mixer where Hamblin threw himself in with all of his might and smashed a header in off of the cross bar where both the keeper and defender tried to clear but the linesman had a perfect view and indicated it was a goal straight away. Need proof that it was over? Try here. I haven't seen a positive ending like that to a City match since Dave Mitchell spoiled a dour nil-nil draw with Burton Albion with an injury time header at Meadow Park in 1994. The City fans seemed to enjoy it, making a racket as the players left the field. City : Green, Green, Harris (Tillson 18), Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Washbourne (Davies 62). Subs n/u : Corrick, Liddiard, Hunt Report - Photos - Boris Interview - Hambo Interview City have signed young winger Aysa Corrick from Hallen for a months trial.


Tom Hamblin is mobbed by his teammates after his injury time winner against Stalybridge

Tuesday September 4th 2012		Jack Harris diving header Lewis Hogg subbed
City's recent poor run continued with this 1-4 defeat to Brackley Town in what City boss David Mehew described after the game as "relegation form". With Matt Coupe banned, Tom Hamblin came back into the heart of defence for his first appearance of the season whilst in goal Mike Green played his first competitive game for the club since December. Conor Thompson has gone out on loan to Chippenham Town. Greener got his welcome back into the action within two minutes when Elliot Sandy flicked a long ball onto Owen Story who volleyed home. Story was telling in the first half, starting and finishing that particular chapter with a goal. His second, just before the break saw him lift a shot over Green after a cross field pass had broken the Tigers' spine. City had struggled to create anything against a strong Brackley team, backed by despised millionaire Allan Leighton. Quite how these teams are allowed to exist with their five figure weekly budgets and handful of fans whose vocal support is akin to the most annoying sound in the world is beyond me. Brackley should stick to Formula One. The second half was as frustrating as the first and the Saints edged further in front when Glen Walker got ahead of the usually reliable Michael Green (right back!) to loop a header over Green in goal. This came moments after Tom Webb had been pushed over by Wayne Hatswell but City were denied a spot kick. As the City faithful chanted "Two-nil to the referee, two-nil to the referee" they seamlessly changed the lyric to three as the goal went in! Lewis Hogg was substituted, probably to avoid a second yellow card again but the programme notes made interesting reading as Boris revealed that the referee who sent Lewis off at Guiseley had been demoted for failing to send him off when he was at Bath. Great! The game ended with a two goal flurry, one at either end. Substitute Tom Winters appeared to foul Sam Rawlings after losing possession of the ball but as ever nothing was given and his curling shot rebounded off of the far post to give Steve Diggin an easy tap in. At the other end the City fans finally got something to cheer when Jack Harris stooped to head home Rawlings' cross. Stalybridge are the visitors to Whaddon on Saturday (k/o 3pm) as City look to break this dreadful run. City : Green, Green, Harris, Hamblin, Tilson, Webb, Hogg (Liddiard 71), Mullings, Edwards, Washbourne (Rawlings 45), Davies (Morford 45). Subs n/u : Parker, Mustoe Report - Photos - Interview - Vern's goal


Lewis Hogg attacks for City against Brackley

Saturday September 1st 2012		Tom Webb scored George Washbourne impressed Lewis Hogg two yellows Jack Harris midfield role Joe Parker promising debut
It was into the Lions den for City today (literally, that's their nickname!) as they travelled to a Guiseley team still with a hundred percent league record. Missing from the starting line-up for the Tigers was striker Will Morford who has been struggling with a back injury while in his place was youngster George Washbourne signed on loan from Forest Green Rovers. Washbourn lined up on the left wing whilst Steve Davies, under fire from some supporters started up front. On the bench for Guiseley was a slightly familiar face, Jacob Giles, a goalkeeper who played three games for City on loan from Newport County in 2006. Of course you'd expect a team backed by four Millionaires to have a few decent players and just this week they've had three of them; Simon Ainge, Josh Wilson and Stephen Brogan named in the England 'C' Squad. Wilson, who'd always stood out for Vauxhall Motors against City has settled in well at Guiseley, while in lidfield Gavin Rothery has just been named the Blue Square Bet North player of the month! City were the better team in the first half as Conor Thompson was rarely tested and it was no injustice when Tom Webb put David Mehew's men ahead midway through the first half. The City legend stole in behind the full back on the right wing and as he bore down on James Drench the Guiseley keeper strangely opened up a gap on the near post as Webb looked to either shoot or square the ball. He chose the former and turned away with glee after the ball flew over the keeper's shoulder. Davies almost scored with a carbon copy moments later but Drench touched the ball onto the post to spare his blushes. Washbourne also stood out for City and looked like a player who was above this level and was enjoying his afternoon. Sadly, despite having a couple of shots he was unable to add to City's deserved half time lead. A home fan suggested that the Lions hadn't woken up in the first half and so it proved in the second, but it took a sending off for City to lift them. Lewis Hogg has come to City with a rather unwanted poor disciplinary record at Bath and here, just five games into his Tigers career he picked up his first red card. Admittedly he was late for his second yellow in an area where he didn't need to foul and certainly not in front of a number of vocal, gurning Yorkshiremen but the first was unwarranted as the referee had let a foul go on Darren Mullings in the same move that Lewis had been cautioned. You have to feel for him because they were probably the only two fouls of note in the game up until that point. Washbourne had impressed as he played without fear but being down to ten men and the out and out attacking nature of his game made him the number one candidate to make way as Sam Rawlings came on at left back and Jack Harris was moved into the heart of midfield. Guiseley equalised almost immediately when Nicky Boshell got behind the City defence to shoot past Thompson before Wilson put them in front with an angled drive from the right wing. Boshell got his second and City's third after one of his teammates appeared to foul Darren Edwards to win possession, but play continued and Guiseley scored the goal that killed the game. They might've had a penalty too when Michael Green looked to have blocked a cross with his hands but the denial was academic to the result. Joe Parker was given a good run out at the expense of Davies. Davo had played well in parts but if he's a confidence player he must be at a pretty low ebb right now. Parker did well though and had no hesitation in going for goal. As good as Parker might turn out to be, at the same time Guiseley were bringing on James Walshaw, an experienced striker. A great example of the Have's and the Have Not's! In TR's opinions Guiseley's Andy McWilliams should've been sent off instead of booked after he pulled Webb's shirt as he made an identical dash towards the penalty area for which he'd scored in the first half. No-one could claim that that wasn't preventing a goalscoring opportunity. We know we haven't been getting the best of decisions so whether it counts as a meaningless gesture or not it was interesting to learn that the referee from the Solihull game had been in touch with Boris to apologise for getting the penalty decision wrong. Talking of officials it was surprising to see the way that the linesman reacted to Michael Green when he questioned a decision. The FA want their Respect campaign adhered to, so does that work for Officials towards players too? City's third defeat of the season won't be great preparation for a tough game against Brackley Town at Whaddon on Tuesday (k/o 7.45pm), as the Northamptonshire side have also won their opening five matches! City : Thompson, Green, Harris, Coupe, Tilson (Liddiard 89), Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards, Washbourne (Rawlings 52), Davies (Parker 67). Subs n/u : Morford, Mustoe Report - Photos - Interview - Panorama


Tom Webb's shot rasps against the back of the net as City take the lead at Guiseley

Monday August 27th 2012		Darren Mullings goalscorer Jack Harris fouled Tom Webb drew saves Michael Green poor decision
After the below par performance and defeat at Histon City knew they had to improve against Solihull Moors. Steve Davies came in for the injured Ben Hunt while Jordan Tillson continued at the back and was watched by his dad Andy, the former Bristol Rovers man. For Solihull there was no sign of International striker Stern John who had been linked with them during pre-season. The Birmingham team could've had the best possible start when Andy Gooding volleyed over from distance, it was one of those shots that when they go in stay fresh in your mind forever! Meanwhile City could've had a penalty when Will Morford was brought down right on the edge of the box but the referee took the easy option and awarded a free kick which Darren Mullings squared to Steve Davies who shot high over the bar. A casual handball in the same spot, dangerously close to being a penalty by a defender set up the same free kick scenario, this time Lewis Hogg got his shot on target but it was blocked, the ball fell kindly to Morford who wanted too long to shoot and his effort was deflected over the bar by a last ditch block. City took the lead just over half way through the half when Darren Mullings rose well to head Lewis Hogg's corner into the bottom corner. It was Darren's second goal of the season and underlines what an asset he is to this football club. Tom Webb burst through from midfield but was disappointed to see his shot just arrow narrowly wide of the far post after he lifted it over Jas Singh who'd closed the angle well. Solihull benefitted from two contentious decisions during the game, the first of which was a horrible late challenge on Jack Harris by Reece Fleet. Later on they were to benefit from a penalty that they shouldn't have had so it was no surprise that Fleet was only cautioned. That said the Birmingham side have had more than their fair share of luck against the Tigers in recent years. Remember Singh's professional foul which only drew a yellow card? Then there was Michael Blackwood's headbutt on Matt Lock right in front of the referee that would see a red in the Premiership? Not in non-league football though, or should that be not against Gloucester City?!! The first half had belonged to City and those fans in the sparse crowd of 343 would've hoped for more in the second period. However, they were to be disappointed. It has to be said that not only is such a small attendance appalling for a Bank Holiday fixture but it was also the lowest crowd in the league today. On one of City's rare forays into the Solihull penalty area Steve Davies, who'd worked hard but not stood out whipped in a cross to the far post where Tom Webb's shot was blocked by the sliding Andre Francis and put out for a corner. It's hard to say that Solihull didn't deserve a point on their second half showing but they didn't deserve the penalty that got them it. Michael Green slid in and executed a perfectly timed tackle on Omar Bogle under the guise of the referee who decided that it was a foul whilst a slow motion replay shows that it was anything but. City's last throw of the dice was to replace Morford with Scott Wilson with a few minutes to go, a move which had little impact as the young substitute had no time to impress. This was very much two points dropped rather than one gained and only the most optimistic of City fans will go to Guiseley expecting to get more than a point against a team with a 100% record so far. City : Thompson, Michael Green, Harris, Coupe, Tilson, Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards, Morford (Wilson 85), Davies. Subs n/u : Rawlings, Liddiard, Parker, Mike Green Report - Photos - Interview - Ref cop out - Solihull Penalty - Goal


Conor Thompson with a flying save against Solihull Moors

Saturday August 25th 2012		Darren Edwards scored
After a great start to the season just seven days earlier City have now lost two games in a row which looked more than winnable. Those who made the trip to Histon described it as the worst game they'd seen in recent times as City conceded two late penalties, one which struck Matt Coupe on the arm and was debatable and another by Jordan Tilson which wasn't. Both were put away by different players in the space of two minutes and Darren Edwards scored with the last kick of the game (with his head!) in a game which the home side deserved to win. A big improvement is needed on Monday against Solihull Moors. City : Thompson, Michael Green, Harris, Coupe, Tilson, Hogg, Webb, Mullings, Edwards, Morford (Liddiard 63) Hunt (Davies 24 [Rawlings 83]). Subs n/u : Mustoe, Mike Green Report - Interview

Tuesday August 22nd 2012		Matt Coupe sent off
After the highs of the opening day win at Gainsborough came the lows of a disappointing home loss to Oxford City. After a first half where City had a good number of chances the away team grew in the second and after Matt Coupe had been sent off for two yellow cards they scored from a free kick through Jack Mills. The game wasn't without controversy though, check the clip below of Coupe's first yellow card, Oxford City's Kynan Issac is a diver and a cheat. City : Thompson, Michael Green, Harris (Rawlings 83), Coupe, Tilson, Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards (Liddiard 78), Morford, Hunt (Davies 65). Subs n/u : Hamblin, Mike Green Report - Interview - Oxford player dive

Saturday August 18th 2012		Darren Mullings matchwinner Ben Hunt left sided threat Conor Thompson stunning save
The Tigers started their 2012/13 BSBN Campaign in the best possible way with a hard fought 1-0 victory at last years losing playoff finalists Gainsborough Trinity. What made the win even more remarkable was that City had two teenage debutants in the starting XI; goalkeeper Conor Thompson and defender Jordan Tilson who'd signed on loan from Exeter City as cover for the injured Tom Hamblin just two days earlier. Lining up against a big spending team filled with football league experience on five times as much as City only the most optimistic of fans would've backed the Tigers to win, but this game made it apparent that David Mehew has the personell to more than match even the biggest teams in the Blue Square North. City settled well and looked the more likely to score so it was no surprise when the Tigers took a deserved lead on sixteen minutes A cross to the far post was well collected by Darren Edwards who forced his way past ex-scuzzer Lee Ridley before seeing his shot blocked by former Stalybridge keeper Jan Budtz, but the loose ball fell invitingly for Darren Mullings to wrap his foot around and score City's first goal of the season. Will Morford had a great chance to double the lead when Tom Webb found him at the near post with a low ball from the left wing after Edwards had won possession but the City man could only shoot wide of the near post. Mullings almost followed up his goal with another but after controlling a high ball on his chest his half volley flew straight into the keepers arms. Gainsborough looked for certain that they'd equalise when Thompson seemed to be grounded at the near post but they didn't count on his agility as he somehow sprung backwards to palm away a tap in from point blank range. At the start of the second half Mullings rose highest to head goalwards from Hogg's corner but Budtz was again equal to his effort.Then Edwards found himself unmarked at the far post where he connected with Morford's deep cross and headed the ball into the path of Ben Hunt but the new signing couldn't find a clean connection and his shot was cleared off of the line. As the game wore on and changes were made the home team began to dominate by pumping long balls into the City penalty area and chances for us were few and far between, however Jack Harris did see his header from a corner cleared off of the line. City ran the clock down at every opportnunity as they were forced onto the back foot but that back foot was very useful when it belonged to Michael Green who was handily placed to block a goalbound shot! After a Gainsborough forward had been penalised for a foul on the City keeper, it was all over as the referee blew for full time on the next kick. A great way to start the season and an encouragement ahead of a tricky looking clash with Oxford City on Tuesday evening (k/o 7.45pm) at Whaddon. City : Thompson, Green, Harris, Coupe, Tilson, Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards, Morford (Davies 59), Hunt (Rawlings 88). Subs n/u : Liddiard, Parker Report - Photos - Boris I'view - Conor I'view - Mullings' goal - Panorama Young striker Scott Wilson has gone on loan to Cinderford Town.


Lewis Hogg controlled the midfield at Gainsborough

Monday August 13th 2012		Matt Liddiard scored twice
City completed their pre-season campaign tonight with a training game at Longford. Longford, managed by Neil Mustoe's brother held out for as long as possible but finally succumbed to goals from Ben Hunt, two from Matt Liddiard, Joe Parker and an own goal. City : Green, Rawlings (Hamblin 30 [Rawlings 46]), Harris, Coupe, Green (Randall 65), Liddiard, Davies (Harris 70), Webb, Parker, Morford (Mace 46), Hunt (Mehew 60) Match report

Wednesday August 8th 2012		Will Morford opened the scoring Steve Davies quality finish Joe Parker looked a threat
It was all smiles at Whaddon Road tonight as City won their first pre-season game with a somewhat comfortable 2-0 victory against a Bristol Rovers side made up mainly of fringe players but also including four first-teamers. For the Tigers Mike Green will have been disappointed to have missed the game with his dodgy groin injury but that gave Conor Thompson a second chance after his less than stellar display at Yate and this time he didn't disappoint with an assured performance and a clean sheet. Ben Hunt, Darren Mullings and Lewis Hogg lined up against their former club whilst among the substitutes for Rovers was Ollie Clarke, the youngster who'd spent a month on loan at City at the start of last season. Whilst it would be unfair to just list the City chances here, Rovers never really looked like scoring throughout the whole game while the Tigers always look more likely. Starting the game on the left of midfield Ben Hunt danced his way in from the wing and almost scored a goal like the one he got at Farsley Celtic during his loan spell. Darren Edwards made room at the far post to meet Lewis Hogg's sumptuous cross but glanced his header wide of Conor Gough's far post the giant stopper was beaten despite reaching with all of his considerable length for Steve Davies' looping header, sadly the ball was just too high and bounced off of the crossbar. At the back, in his favoured right back position Sam Rawlings was lucky not to be injured when he was the victim of a two footed lunge from an opponent. City took the lead when having been fouled Hogg took a quick free kick which bisected the Rovers defence where Will Morford turned smartly before firing home with his left foot from the edge of the box. Despite his extended frame Gough was unable to reach the ball as it arrowed into the corner of the net. Hunt had impressed in his role on the left, maybe bouyed by his desire to convince Boris to hand him a contract or to show his former employer what they'd let go but he was even more of a threat when he went up front to partner Edwards. He almost got lucky when he chased down a poor back pass but the goalkeeper forced him wide enough to avert the danger. At the start of the second half, despite being the top scorer in pre-season with two goals (and a third for the Dev XI versus Cirencester) Hunt took his eye off of the ball at the crucial moment when Davies sent over a pefect cross from the right wing. Rovers' keeper Gough wasn't having the best of nights but he got lucky when the linesman failed to spot him grab the ball outside his area but his luck was out minutes later when Davies beat him with an audacious volley from the edge of the box. With the usual flurry of substitutions that occur in pre-season City never really lost the impetus and the likes of Scott Wilson, Matt Liddiard and Joe Parker were given the chance to impress against decent opposition and all three will add comfort to those City fans worried after seeing both Morford and Tom Webb limp off with slight injuries. City : Thompson, Rawlings (McGrane 75), Harris, Coupe, Mullings, Hogg, Davies (Parker 83), Webb (Liddiard 46), Edwards, Morford (Green 62), Hunt (Wilson 55). Match report - Photos - Interview - Morf's goal - Davo's goal We are looking to run a coach to Gainsborough for the first game of the season departing Meadow Park at 10am and costing Ł20 for adults and Ł10 for under 16's, please see the City Open Forum to book a place.


Sam Rawlings is the victim of a two-footed lunge by Rovers player Mitch Harding

Monday August 6th 2012		Will Morford back in the UK
City's run of poor form continued at Yate tonight with a 2-3 defeat against the Bluebells at Lodge Road. With both teams fielding a large number of Bristol based players it was a battle of local pride and the first half struggled to settle down with neither team really getting the ball down and playing football. City were always the most likely to score so it was a surprise when Tom Knighton lobbed debutant keeper Connor Thompson after Tom Hamblin had misjudged the bounce of a long ball. City thought they'd levelled when Matt Coupe headed home a free kick within a minute but the referee adjudged him to have fouled former City man Ollie Barnes. At the start of the second half Will Morford, back home after a jaunt around south-east Asia was replaced by trialist Ben Hunt and within minutes the scores were level after Darren Edwards had set up his new strike partner at the near post. But in the flash of an eye City conceeded twice when Adrian Mirah rifled home an unstoppable angled drive before a proper route one goal saw Knighton notch his second although Thompson really should've done better. The impressive Matt Liddiard pulled a goal back with a run from midfield to collect a pass which he drilled across the Yate substitute keeper but despite making half chances City couldn't force an equaliser and the header from Jack Harris which rebounded off of the angle of post and crossbar in the last minute summed up City's night. City : Thompson, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin (Rawlings 46 [Webb 70]), Hogg, Webb (Liddiard 65), Mullings (Parker 81), Edwards (Morford 70), Morford (Hunt 46), Davies (Wilson 60) Sport Glos report - Photos - Interview - Panorama Former midfielder Dave Bird has signed for Cinderford Town.


Former City keeper Chris Humphries denies Tom Webb at Yate

Wednesday August 1st 2012		Ben Hunt another goal
City drew 1-1 with Blue Square South peers Weston Super Mare tonight in their latest warm-up game. The Tigers took the lead when Ben Hunt capitalised on a goalkeeping error but were pegged back in the second half with a goal from former City striker Nabi Diallo. City : Green, Green, Harris, Mullings, Coupe, Webb, Liddiard, Hogg, Davies, Hunt, Edwards

Saturday July 28th 2012		Ben Hunt scored
With most of the first team players given the day off just Sam Rawlings, Ben Hunt, Steve Davies and Adam Mann featured for City in a friendly which was downgraded to a Development XI game at Cirencester which the home team won 5-1 at a canter with four second half goals. Hunt gave City an early lead when Matt Liddiard played a lovely ball down the flank for Davies to cross to his unmarked strike partner who made no mistake from five yards but the scores were level when former City man Alex Allard was tee'd up on the edge of the box to score with a sumptuous shot into the corner. Mann came off after feeling the effects of a Jamie Reid tackle as the goals dried up until after the break. Brian Hughes' side stepped up a gear and scored twice in a minute; first with a penalty from Sam Collier then a lovely finish into the far corner by James Mortimer-Jones. The same player scored again when goalkeeper Aaron Thompson could only parry a shot his way before Allard headed home his second when Thomspon stranded. City Dev XI : Thompson, Rawlings, Kavanagh (Twyman 62), Mace, Kay, Liddiard, James, Stevens (Parker 62), Davies (Varnham, 45), Hunt, Mann (Minnett 24) Match report - Photos Striker Scott Wilson played for Cinderford Town in their 0-3 home defeat against Romulus.


Ben Hunt opens the scoring for the Development XI at Cirencester

Tuesday July 24th 2012		Adam Mann scored
City finally scored their first goal of the pre-season campaign through a Darren Edwards penalty at Edgar Street tonight, however, despite bagging a second through Adam Mann they conceded four to go down to the newly relegated Bulls. Hereford went ahead when Simon Clist scored direct from a corner but were on level terms when Clist himself brought down Edwards, who unlike his spot kick at Cinderford made no mistake this time. The home side went ahead with goals from Ryan Bowman and Marlon Jackson before Mann shot under the keeper but a fourth from former Bath City man Sean Canham gave the scoreline a flattering look. City : Green, Green (McGrane 85), Harris, Coupe, Hamblin (Rawlings 27), Webb, Hogg, Mullings (Mace 85), Edwards, Hunt (Parker 74), Mann (Liddiard 70). Sport Glos report

Saturday July 21st 2012		Lewis Hogg hit the bar Ben Hunt trialist
City's second pre-season game was another that would've hardly whetted the appetite of any fans present as they went down to a single goal at Bishops Cleeve. The goal just before the break was down to schoolboy defending when instead of putting his foot through the ball, new Captain Matt Coupe tried to lay a short backpass off to goalkeeper Mike Green but played it short and allowed Steve McKeown to prod the ball home. Previous to that, for the second time in two games we saw a missed penalty after Coupe had committed a late tackle on Lamin Sankho inside the area but as these things go had the goalframe been about a foot higher and a foot longer then Michael Jackson's spot kick would have nestled into the top corner instead of arcing it's way towards Tewkesbury. It was a disappointing half for City but a good workout for Ben Hunt, on trial with the club who he impressed with two years ago before starting a nomadic journey around the Conference South. At the start of the second half Lewis Hogg had a great chance to level but his shot cannonned into the crossbar and away from danger. Of the fringe players and trialists Scott Wilson looked hungry whilst neither ex-Swindon youth player Eddie Stevens or Ashley McGrane really stood out. One man who did however was former City youngster Sam Avery at the heart of the Cleeve defence. Which says it all about how dangerous we looked in front of goal! City : Green, Green, Rawlings, Coupe (Mann 53 ), Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Mullings, Edwards (Wilson 53), Hunt (McGrane 46), Harris (Stevens 46). Sport Glos report - Photos


Lewis Hogg's shot roasts the crossbar at Cleeve

Thursday July 19th 2012		Darren Edwards missed penalty
City finally got their pre-season campaign under way with a spirited goalless draw at the Causeway against Cinderford Town. Whilst it may have been disappointing not to have scored, espescially as Darren Edwards saw his penalty kick deflect off of the outside of the post, City did have the best of the chances but were denied by a beligerant Ben John in the Foresters' goal. Just one trialist was on show, a right winger called Ashley McGrane from Portishead Town whilst after about an hour several experienced players were replaced by those from the Development XI, and new boy Lewis Hogg was subbed by the referee following a late tackle that caused a ripple of excitement among the home side. City : Green, Green (Mace), Coupe, Hamblin, Harris, Hogg (Parker 66), McGrane (Webb 46), Mullings (Liddiard 68), Edwards, Davies (Wilson 46), Mann (Rawlings 61). Sport Glos report - Photos - Interview - Panorama


Substitute Scott Wilson tries his luck aghainst Cinderford

Saturday July 14th 2012		Brislington waterlogged!
Those of us who were looking forward to todays trip down to Bristol to see the Tigers start their pre-season campaign will now have to wait until Thursday night and make the trip into the Forest to Cinderford as the Great British Summer has seen the Brislington match called off due to a waterlogged pitch!

Tuesday July 2nd 2012		Tyler Weir Worcester bound?
Tyler Weir has turned down the contract offer from City and now looks to be heading to Worcester City, who look to be assembling a big squad with former Tigers Ben Hunt and Charlie Reece invited to pre-season training with the St Georges Lane Club. Also the fixtures for the 2012/13 season have been announced, the full list is here. City start the season with an away game at losing playoff finalists Gainsborough Trinity whilst Weir is likely to face the Tigers twice over Christmas in a Worcester City double header whilst the final game is again at Colwyn Bay.

Tiger Roar news streams from Apr, May & June 2012 can be found here

Page last updated : 10th November 2012

Tiger Roar is an unofficial, independant production. It has nothing to do with Gloucester City AFC 1980 Ltd or the Gloucester City Supporters Trust. All comments expressed on here (unless stated) are those of the author and not those of the football club.

Most content on this site is copyright of the site owner and must not be reproduced without prior permission (unless waived by the author). Please do not use or remotely link to any of the images or videos on this site.

Lots of statistical information is courtesy of the great work done by club historian Tim Clark. His book is The Complete Record of Gloucester City AFC 1883–2009. (566 pgs) Tiger Timbo Publications. ISBN 978-0-9557425-1-4.

I would like to express thanks to everyone who has helped make this website possible through donations, images, video clips and statistical information. If you feel I have used your own copyrighted material and would like it removed, please do not hesitate to to discuss it's removal because it makes cry.

Above all, enjoy the website and please come back for more!