Tiger Roar - Frontpage archive 2012 Q4

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Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2012 Q4

Wednesday December 26th 2012		Danny Andrew goalscorer Adam Mann finding form Matt Liddiard assured display
December 1995, the last time that City won a game against Worcester at St Georges Lane. Seems a long time ago doesn't it? Ask Rose West, a fortnight earlier she'd been jailed for life for mass murder. Toy Story had become the first full length computer animated feature film and was showing at the new(ish) Gloucester Cinema at the Peel Centre and Jack Russell was England's wicket keeper and had just broken the record for catches taken in a Test Match with eleven against South Africa. The City team that day included talents like David Holmes and Andy Adebowale while the goalscorers in that 3-1 win were Mark Hallam, Dave Webb and a Dave Benton own goal. Worcester included Steve Fergusson, current boss Carl Heeley (who scored their goal) and takeaway warrior Paul Molloy. Today's team seems like a world away from those big money days with the tables now turned with Worcester throwing cash at a playoff berth hoping to get a place in the Conference where the ground improvement pot from the Football Gods is bigger. City boss David Mehew had lost Matt Coupe and Tom Webb to suspension along with the seemingly perma-banned Lewis Hogg and had challenged the likes of Sam Rawlings and Matt Liddiard to play well and keep their places. As it happened Liddiard, fresh from a lesson in the darker arts of midfield play with Matt Rose at Bishops Cleeve started on the bench but was called upon after just five minutes when he replaced the injured Chris Holland. Worcester had already come close to scoring in the first minute after some defensive dilly-dallying so when Dutch departed Jack Harris moved to centre back and Liddiard came on and impressed in the middle. City seemed to form a phalanx in the middle of the park allowing room on the flanks for ex-Telford man Greg Mills to dance around and provide a few ooh's and ahh's but ultimately not bother Mike Green who was in superb form, except for the one poor throw which attracted a bollocking from Boris. The only goal of the game came after ex-Tiger Tyler Weir had fouled Adam Mann just outside the area. As with a player who has Football League experience you'd expect Danny Andrew to be able to aim a direct free kick at a non-league sized goal and so he obliged, and happilly a major deflection took the ball past Matt Sargeant and the collective of City fans went wild. In fact the only people not celebrating there were the chaps who apparently weren't Worcester fans who'd been making monkey noises in the direction of Bagasan Graham, but that's another story! Whilst it would've been nice to get a second goal and kill the game, cool, proper defending from the Tigers' back line as they blocked everything and protected their goalkeeper made it a frustrating day for Worcester on their last ever Boxing Day game at St Georges Lane ahead of their summer move to Kidderminster. A superb win for Boris' men, lets hope they can repeat it when Worcester come down to Whaddon on New Years Day (k/o 3pm). City : Green, Rawlings, Andrew, Hamblin, Holland (Liddiard 5), Harris, Graham (Davies 70), Goddard, Edwards, Morford, Mann. Subs n/u : Parker, Mustoe, Green Report - Photos - Edwardinho Interview - Andrew goal


Ex-City man Tyler Weir clears under pressure from Adam Mann on Boxing Day

Saturday December 15th 2012		Darren Edwards last minute winner
At about a quarter to five this afternoon one City fan suggested on Twitter that "Come on @GCAFCofficial, last minute winners are what great Saturdays are made of!!?" Darren Edwards obliged with a piece of trademark skill that has earned him the nickname of Edwardinho. That last minute goal had followed a Ricky Villa-esque strike from new boy Bagasan Graham, who been picked up this week after being found wandering around at the dark side of the Golden Valley bypass. That goal, at the start of the second half had equalised one in the first half that Vauxhall Motors had scored somewhat against the run of play. City : Green, Rawlings, Andrew, Coupe, Holland, Webb, Graham (Harris 80), Goddard, Edwards, Morford, Mann. Subs n/u : Parker, Mustoe, Green, Hamblin Report

Saturday December 8th 2012		Tom Webb foul victim Jack Harris cleared off line
Just one goal in the last five games, including none in the calendar month of November isn't a statistic that Gloucester City fans will want to read as they come to terms with a terrible performance that saw them lose 0-1 to Workington. With just three minutes of the game gone loanee Joe Mwasile ghosted in unmarked at the far post to connect with a cross from the right. City, with giant defender Chris Holland on that side had looked vulnerable there all through the game and with some fans criticising players being played out of position it's little wonder that there is a lack of fluent football from the Tigers. Workington will have been disappointed to have only won by the single goal, they were good value for the three points and City can thank Jack Harris for his goalline clearance which kept the scores down, but as bad as they were they should've had a penalty when Niall Cowperthwaite controlled the ball with his arm in the area. Cowperthwaite should've also been sent off for an over the ball foul on Tom Webb but was only booked. Had the foul taken place in the Premiership it would've been a red card every time, still, with the appalling Mark Pottage refereeing it was no surprise that he stayed on. The only comfort City can take at this stage is that both Hinckley and Histon look as though they'll struggle to host Blue Square Bet North football next season so there will only be one relegation place. I pray it's not ours. City : Green, Green, Harris (Davies 46), Coupe (Rawlings 69), Hamblin, Webb, Holland, Goddard, Edwards (Parker 69), Morford, Mann. Sub n/u : Mustoe Report - Photos - Interview


City players appeal in vain after a blatant handball from a Workington player

Wednesday December 5th 2012		Steve Davies goalscorer Will Morford great cross
Three weeks ago when Leyton Orient visited Whaddon there was a chant of "You're getting sacked in the morning" aimed at O's boss Russell Slade. Of course, he didn't get the bullet but Boston boss Jason Lee did after tonight's defeat against the Tigers. Boston's recent form had been below the standard that they'd shown in previous seasons and to be frank, even though players like Spencer Weir-Daley and Marc Newsham were still in the side they offered nothing like the threat that had made them match winners in previous ties against City. Even when Steve Davies had scored what turned out to be the winning goal they still didn't look like scoring. That goal, a third of the way through the second half was crafted by quality play at the top of the left wing from Darren Edwards' back hell to Will Morford who sent over a superb cross to the far post where Davo stooped to score. The diminutive striker has had his critics this season but he has a knack of scoring vital goals for his team as this proved. That one moment will have done a lot to warm up those in the pathetic crowd of 187 who braved the Arctic conditions to watch their team, and that included a fair number from Boston who made the journey across country on some of the least developed roads in the UK. Fair play to them, I for one wouldn't have made the trip in midweek. City : Green, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Holland (Davies 46), Goddard, Edwards, Morford, Mann. Subs n/u : Mustoe, Parker, Mace Report - Photos - Boris - Davo - Goal


Jordan Goddard tries his luck from distance against Boston

Wednesday November 21st 2012		Colwyn Bay game off
Tonights game against Colwyn Bay has been postponed due to local flooding. Anyone who has been out today will not be surprised. A new date has been agreed for the Altrincham game which was due to be played at Whaddon on December 1st, it will now be played on Tuesday February 26th. Finally, apologies to those of you trying to access Gloucester City videos from my youtube account. The account has been terminated and all of the videos removed, I'd like to say thanks to youtube for hosting them but I won't because they're a bunch of wankers.

Sunday November 18th 2012		Lewis Hogg third red card Mike Green great saves Jack Harris bicycle kick
Well, well, well. Easily more than a thousand people in City's end at the Leyton Orient game on Wednesday and just four days later there is little more than three hundred. What made it worse that the Tigers fans were outnumbered by about 3:2 out of the official crowd of 852, the number of people who went through the away turnstiles was 519, plus they had fans in the main stand too. Thank you Gloucester. Thank you the people of Gloucester. Thanks for nothing. Chester are doing well so it was clear that they were going to prove a stern test and so it turned out with goalkeeper Mike Green being named man of the match for City. He, along with his defence were superb as they kept the phoenix club at bay but the gap between midfield and attack saw City rarely threaten Green's opposite number. Neither Steve Davies or Adam Mann had much joy although the closest we came to scoring was an acrobatic effort from Jack Harris, who, it has to be said has been in superb form lately. Chester finally found a way through in the second half when Nathan Jarman poked the ball past the static Green and any hope of finding a way back into the game virtually died when Lewis Hogg was booked for the second time, leaving a big hole in City's midfield and a bigger one in the dressing room door. If we had the kind of stats at City that they have at Sky we could tell you that we had no shots on target at all in the second half and thats not a statistic that you want to see when your team is chasing the game. And before anyone sharpens their knives at the strikers take a look at Darren Edwards, he runs and runs and runs all game yet how many chances did he get? No service whatsoever for a man who is lethal in the six yard box. We're solid at the back yet where other teams seem able to build from the back our clearances are just that and before you know it we're on the back foot again. It brings back memories of a dreadful game at Burton Albion towards the end of John Murphy's reign where Gary Kemp and Alan Bird kept kicking the ball out of play again and again. With seemingly dire situations at Histon and Hinckley who could blame City's fans for wishing them the worst if it meant that two of the relegation places would be taken up? City face Colwyn Bay on Wednesday, be there or be a typical Gloucestrian! City : Green, Green, Mann (Harding 62), Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Goddard (Rawlings 73), Edwards (Morford 73), Davies, Harris. Subs n/u : Holland, Mustoe Report - Photos - Chester Goal - Interview


Jack Harris has a spectacular effort at goal against Chester

Wednesday November 14th 2012		Mitch Harding cleared off line Jack Harris shot wide Jordan Goddard skillful dribble Chris Holland lost the ball Matt Coupe "man on!"
This was a night to remember for Gloucester City AFC. After the disappointment of the original game being postponed this match against Leyton Orient was anything but as almost fifteen hundred people rememebered that the City had a football club and queued until after the game had kicked off to get in. The atmosphered created by opening the terrace behind the goal at the bottom of the slope at Whaddon brought back memories of the T-End at Meadow Park, and it was certainly the first time that there had been anything like a packed terrace at a Gloucester City game for almost fifteen years. If only this kind of crowd backed City at every home game, Gloucester would have a football club to be proud of then. The game was always going to be a tough ask for the Tigers and City boss David Mehew had fielded probably his strongest eleven available. Whatever the game plan was City weren't shy and went at their League One opponents from the off, forcing a series of corners and creating a couple of decent chances. Mitch Harding turned and shot only to see it cleared off of the line by Jimmy Smith and then Jack Harris intercepted a crossfield ball before running and shooting wide but if City were to produce an upset then it was clear that they had to score in the first half. They didn't. Another moment to remember came from young Jordan Goddard who wrestled the ball from a defender in the left hand corner before dribbling his way between two more before eventually going to ground in the penalty area. Despite claims from the legion of City fans and Goddard himself the referee, Steven Rushton from Stoke wasn't swayed. In fact he gave very little to either team all night and proved to be the best referee we've seen for a long time. Other than Sarah of course! Orient grew as the game got older and enjoyed their best spell towards the end of the half, but they were denied by the woodwork and the agility of Mike Green in the City goal. If ever Greener harboured ambitions of getting back into the professional game then this match will have whetted his appetite. The second half was more of a disappointment than anything as City were sucked deeper and deeper and barely troubled Ryan Allsop in the Orient goal. Possibly the only statistic of note was the booking that Lewis Hogg picked up for a foul but the team kept their shape and discipline and as that big clock in the corner neared nine-thirty thoughts of a trip to Brisbane Road began to emerge until Gloucester City's FA Cup curse struck again. Late goal(s)! Having defended like Glorious Glosters throughout the game it's really not fair to single out individual mistakes by individual players but for the record both Chris Holland and Matt Coupe won't have happy memories of the last five minutes. The goal that broke our hearts came when Holland dithered in the far left hand corner and lost the ball to Lloyd James who sent in a cross to the penalty spot where David Mooney got there ahead of Tom Hamblin and directed a header agonisingly past Green. For the first time tonight there was noise from the away end. And as the game was restarted, all thoughts of throwing the kitchen sink at it eveapourated when Coupe was caught in possession and within nine seconds of the kick off Dean Cox had put the ball in the net to make it two-nil. The Orient fans were again buoyant whilst Cox had silenced the T-End, as he gestured in front of them, in "banter". They could've scored again too, City's heads were down and on a breakaway Lisbie fed Mooney but this time Greener blocked his shot. What's remarkable about this whole run and this night is that City haven't really played that well in an attacking sense to get here and one could be forgiven it had been quite easy to get to this stage, so why has it taken twenty-three years?!!! City : Green, Green (Tilson 89), Holland, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Goddard (Davies 60), Edwards, Harding (Morford 54), Harris. Subs n/u : Liddiard, Rawlings, Mann, Mustoe Report - Photos - Orient Goals Don't forget that City are at home a week today on Wednesday November 21st in a re-arranged BSBN fixture against Colwyn Bay.


Man of the Match Mike Green is interviewed for TV

Sunday November 11th 2012		Lewis Hogg hit the post Darren Edwards booked
So here we were back at Whaddon, with a playable pitch unlike last week, although I won't say too much more because the groundsman had some rather direct words with me before the game because according to several people I'd called him "scum". You don't always want to believe what you're told pal. This game seemed like something of a distraction between the postponed and rescheduled FA Cup game and so it turned out to be. If, as suggested Orient manager Russell Slade was in the stand watching he will have seen an under par display from the Tigers ahead of Wednesday's game. There was a familiar face up front for Maidenhead; David Pratt, a striker who'd done well for Swindon Supermarine and Chippenham Town before heading east to represent Basingstoke Town. He'd previously done well against us but was crap today! There were times in the first half when the game was so turgid that it seemed that neither side could even be bothered to be lethargic, although the monotony was broken when an over-eager block from Jordan Goddard got in the way of Matt Coupe and Reece Tison-Lacaris saw his shot parried by Mike Green before he tapped home the rebound. Previous to that and for the second time in two games Lewis Hogg had hit the post with a free kick with what was City's only scoring chance of the game. The Tigers had the upper hand in the second half but there was no quality final ball and it was the London team who came closest when substitute Harry Pritchard hot the post with almost his first touch. Oh well, there's always next year. City : Green, Green (Tillson 46), Davies, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb (Harding 78), Hogg, Goddard, Edwards, Morford (Mann 66), Harris. Subs n/u : Rawlings, Mustoe Report - Photos There are still places available on the coaches to Wednesdays FA Cup tie at Whaddon Road, click here for details.


Jordan Goddard flies over a Maidenhead opponent

Wednesday November 7th 2012		Lewis Hogg long hours
The FA Cup game against Orient will now be played on Wednesday November 14th with a 7.45pm kick off. No doubt this will give the O's chance to bring back injured players whilst also taking advantage of City's part-timers having had a day at work. Lewis Hogg will have been at up at 5am. Hopefully they'll have all had the day off before the game. The winners of the tie will be away at Alfreton Town in the Second Round.

Sunday November 4th 2012		Whaddon Road waterlogged
Today's game against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Whilst there have been suggestions that under fire Orient manager Russell Slade didn't want the game to go ahead one might also suggest that a club who apparently no longer see themselves as rivals would happilly take a �2k hit on a loss of bar takings to prevent City earning twenty grand. Knife twisting bastards.

Wednesday October 31st 2012		Tom Webb opened scoring Darren Edwards gave City hope Jack Harris missed sitter
Was this a Hallowe'en show of horrors for City or something to be expected on the eve of their biggest FA Cup game for twenty-three years? The defeat, this first time we've failed to win at Corby since the opening day of the 1993/94 season has somewhat spoiled the win at Hinckley on Saturday and if we fail to beat Orient at the weekend the phrase "Concentrate on the League" will really ring true if we're to avoid a relegation battle with this current form. Any talk of Boris fielding a weakened team was thrown out of the window upon spending twenty pence on a teamsheet, although that talk may have been blown back in due to the horrendously strong wind blowing across Steel Park. Missing from the starting line up were Jordan Goddard, who attained notoriety against Corby whilst playing for Bristol Rovers last year and Steve Davies who was ill. Now that was a real shame for Davo because on the back of his performance at Hinckley I'd have started him in that position in the cup game. In his place was Adam Mann who only showed brief glimpses of his ability, sadly though for large parts of the game he was anonymous. If only the same could be said for Lewis Hogg, who other than hitting the post with a free kick had his worst game since joing the club. It was Hogg who gave the ball away in midfield that led to Corby scoring their equaliser on the stroke of half time when despite the best efforts of right back Mike Green playing at left back ex-Boston man Ryan Semple was able to squeeze a shot under the other Mike Green inside his near post. Hogg wasn't the only one whose sloppy play led to a goal; Matt Coupe was also guilty as a wave of Corby attackers bore down on Green's goal where a square ball and a deflected shot from Sam Ives made it 1-3. The second goal, minutes after the interval was a Carl Piergianni header from a corner which looked all too easy. Tom Webb had given City the lead midway through the first half on a counter attack that involved Darren Edwards and a good cross field pass from Mitch Harding. Webb strode into the area before finishing with his left foot. It was a great show of tenacity from Edwards which reduced the arrears after Jack Harris had missed a sitter. The City number nine beat the offside trap and after his initial shot was blocked by goalkeeper Paul Walker the rebound fell nicely for him to loop a shot just under the crossbar. That goal made for a nervy ending to the game for the home fans which ultimately frustrated City. And a word about the referee, a Mr Kendall from Luton. I'm certain his hands were too cold to get his pencil out and write down Corby players names, especially substitute Leon McKenzie who committed two clumsy fouls inside the space of thirty seconds and also the attacker who deliberately kicked the ball away in injury time to prevent a quick City free kick. Oh and there was the offside given against Harding when a Corby player kicked the ball but we won't talk about that! City : Green, Tillson (Morford 55), Holland, Coupe, Green, Webb, Hogg, Mann, Edwards, Harding, Harris. Subs n/u : Rawlings, Goddard, Mustoe Report There are still places available on the coaches to Sundays FA Cup tie at Whaddon Road, click here for details.


Tom Webb shoots to put City 1-0 up at Corby tonight

Monday October 29th 2012		Maidenhead United Trophy opponents
City have been handed a home draw against Conference South side Maidenhead United in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The game is likely to take place on Sunday November 11th with a 3pm kick off because the pitch is being used for a late Guy Fawkes bonfire the night before and the locals will have stacked up old shed doors and the like up in the centre circle and will take too much effort to move. We faced Maidenhead twice in the 2006/07 Southern Premier campaign, our last at Meadow Park and won 2-1 on the opening day with late goals from Aaron Wilson and a peach of a strike from Jamie Reid but lost 0-1 at York Street with a second half header from Dwane Lee. Another date alteration will see City face Chester at Whaddon Road on Sunday November 18th instead of the day before, the game will kick off at 3pm.

Saturday October 27th 2012		Matt Coupe lucky to stay on? Jack Harris won penalty Darren Edwards scored penalty Will Morford 49th & 50th goals Steve Davies looked threatening
Following the euphoria of the FA Cup and the forthcoming tie against Orient City boss David Mehew will have had his work cut out to keep the players minds on todays game at Hinckley and Wednesdays at Corby given the lowness of our league position. The 3-0 win will mean that he's halfway through doing a successful job although in all honesty Hinckley weren't exactly the greatest of opposition. The club have recently lost long serving manager Dean Thomas and are under a transfer embargo and boast a horrendous record of having lost all five home league games before today only scoring once in the process. For City Jordan Tillson kept his place ahead of the jet setting Mike Green, who had been sharing flights with Abbeymead's own Wanted man Nathan Sykes whilst midfielder Jordan Goddard was injured although his place was taken by Steve Davies behind the front two in what was the best game he's had in a City shirt for a long while. The one name for Hinckley that seemed to remain from previous seasons was Ben Richards-Everton, a left back who was seemingly not good enough for this league when he played for them before so it may have been with relief that he was subbed just after twenty minutes. His replacement was however known to us, it was none other the ex-Boston goalkeeper Rory Coleman! Talking of saves, no goalkeeper or cheating defender could beat that save that we made. Everyone got off the supporters coach on the Leicester Road and we saved the ludicrous ten pound fee that Hinckley charge for parking the coach! The action on the pitch was a different matter and a bitter wind blowing across the open ground gave City the upper hand in the first half as Hinckley stopper Robert Peet was the busier of the two men between the sticks. Jack Harris tested Peet with a shot which seemed to go straight down his throat but the Hinckley man didn't need to act when a surging run from Davies ended with a shot over the bar. Peet was again called into action to block an effort from Mitch Harding as City looked the only team likely to score. Hinckley's only threat came from set pieces. On a counter attack Matt Coupe might've been considered lucky to only get a yellow card after he couldn't get out of the way of a run from Jake Holt, although being close to the halfway line probably put enough doubt in the referee's mind. The only other card of the game was for Harding who stupidly kicked the ball away after a whistle had been blown against him. Hinckley should've scored before the break when Jack Lane hit the outside of the far post with all of the goal to aim at. A poor miss to sum up this current Hinckley United team. With the second half just five minutes old Tom Hamblin was withdrawn through injury with Adam Mann replacing him, a move which seemed to change the formation to 4-4-2, a risk considering that Coupe had already been booked although as the final scoreline suggests, a wise move by Boris! The home side enjoyed a good spell with the wind at their backs but after seeing a shot hit the bar City went up the other end and a fantastic run by Jack Harris was halted by a defenders leg. Darren Edwards scored from the spot but it was interesting to see that Peet dived early and to his left, the same place where a video posted online had shown the City number nine having a spot kick saved at Bradford two weeks earlier. In fairness to Hinckley, City had been forced onto the back foot in this second half and it was now nice to have a lead to defend so when a breakaway by substitute Will Morford saw him glide into the area and pass the ball under the goalkeeper it was game over. From now on only wasteful finishing prevented City adding to the scoreline as Edwards seemed to get the ball trapped under his feet on two occasions near to the six yard box. But where he struggled to finish he was still able to provide for strike partner Morford as he centred a ball that almost pinged in off the City man to make in three and in the process score his fiftieth goal for the club almost five years to the day of his first against Hillingdon Borough in the FA Trophy at the New Lawn. Hinckley were well beaten and even at this early stage of the season look nailed on to be relegated although it will be sweet irony if they are saved by the AGM Cup again owing to their honourable efforts to clear their debts and go about business the right way. Tiger Roar wishes them well. City : Green, Tillson, Holland, Coupe, Hamblin (Mann 48), Webb, Hogg, Davies (Green 88), Edwards, Harding (Morford 69), Harris. Sub n/u : Mustoe Report - Photos - Boris Interview - Morf Interview Youngsters Matt Liddiard and Sam Rawlings have gone out on loan to Bishops Cleeve in the Southern League.


Will Morford celebrates after scoring his first and City's second goal at Hinckley

Saturday October 21st 2012		FA Cup home draw
It's Leyton Orient at home! City's reward for their win against Chippenham will be the League One team at home. The draw kept us waiting and as the more interesting teams were pulled out it became imperative that we got a home draw, which we got and if it wasn't a winnable game then it had to be a decent League side, which Orient are. Personally Tiger Roar is pleased because of all the years of nonsense written on these pages where opponents east of Oxford have been labelled Cockney's, for once, I reckon that Brisbane Road is within earshot of the Bow Bells, cor blimey rub a dub. The game is likely to take place on Sunday November 4th with a 3pm kick off, not because it's going to be broadcast live on TV but because the ground is being used on the Saturday for a record fair.

Saturday October 20th 2012		Darren Edwards got the goal Tom Webb 500th game Matt Coupe 100th game Mike Green man of the match Conor Thompson targetted?
Gloucester City have finally made it to the FA Cup proper after a wait of twenty-three years, and for the second time since 1951! A goal a minute into injury time from Darren Edwards was enough to see off a very stern challenge from old foes Chippenham Town in front of a seasons best crowd of 675 at Whaddon Road. On a day for milestones as well as City finally getting that monkey off of their backs City players Tom Webb and Matt Coupe both reached centuries of appearances. Whilst it was the first ton for Coupey, all-time record appearance holder Webb was playing his five hundredth game for the club. I reckon there's at least four of them that he'll want to forget! If there was any doubt about how the game would play out then a fly on the wall in the tunnell would've told us about Chippenham player-manager Nathan Rudge geeing his players up with words like "The City defence are carthorses". One surprising change was seeing Jordan Tillson in at right back, that was because Mike Green was at a wedding in Las Vegas. You have to feel for Mike Dunstan as well, he was at a wedding too but his was in Brockworth! Chippenham had five ex-City players in their ranks; Conor Thompson in goal, Alex Kite at right back and Luke Ballinger on the bench, whilst Brandon Barnes and Richard Fey were also here without playing. Ex-FGR man Scott Rogers was captain while Charlie Griffin's brother Alan led their attack. The Bluebirds started like a whirlwind and hit the woodwork twice; first thanks to a great save by Mike Green from Dean Griffiths' shot and then a shot from Barnes that hit the outside of the angle of post and crossbar with Green beaten. Up front for them Griffin looked an absolute beast of a forward. Maybe managers ask their players to up their game for these type of fixtures and Griffin took heed because judging on how he played today it's hard to believe that he's wasted the past decade with the likes of Mangotsfield and Swindon Supermarine. Rogers was the first man booked as he tried and successfully fouled Jordan Goddard over twenty yards. Goddard was lucky not to be badly hurt as well following a lunge by Josh Egan which the referee failed to call a foul for, that said City players weren't the only ones in the wars as goalkeeper Thompson twice needed treatment after being felled. Striker Mitch Harding was unlucky to see his shot on the turn rattle the crossbar at the end of the first half whilst at the start of the second it looked like Tillson had handled a harmless looking cross and hearts were in mouths before it became apparent that the referee didn't agree. At times the game was more of a fight than a football match and both Griffths and Matt Coupe were booked following a set-to in front of the dugouts yet the Chippenham man might've been sent off for his violent act on the City skipper. The Tigers upped the tempo and began to show their class, even moreso with Will Morford on for Harding and the City substitute almost set up Tom Hamblin with a clever flick from a corner but the defender skied his effort in front of the goal. Then it got easier for City, when Griffiths was too enthusiast trying to block Coupe's clearance in the far corner and after catching the City man late was shown a second yellow card swiftly followed by a red. A disappointing end to the game for the Chippenham man whose day was only about to get worse. Piling on the pressure there was only going to be one winner, Chippenham's only hope came from that big clock in the corner. And as luck has deserted us in injury time twice at this stage of the competition in recent years this time it smiled on us as just after five minutes of injury time was announced that man Edwardinho appeared in the box to sidefoot the ball past Thompson. After the game Mehew revealed that he was ready to replace his number nine when he brought Steve Davies on and it was a good job that he didn't because Gloucester City has rarely seen a striker who is as good at being in the right place at the right time as Edwards is. And that thinking was no more prevalent than it was today as not only was he part of a fourteen pass move that made the goal but he'd also made great strides to get into the area to apply the finishing touch to Hogg's pass and send the City hoardes into delerium. If you ever doubt the heart that (semi) professionals put into this football club then take a look at the reactions on the bench from management to substituted players. Of course calm was needed, Chippenham's formation probably resembled something like 2-0-7 as they pumped long balls into the box and Green even had chance to make City hearts skip a beat as the spin on the ball took a comfortable looking shot from Griffin under his body and towards the goalline before he clawed it back. That was the only chance and Mr Hendley's whistle saw the joy erupt from years of disappointed City fans like lava from a volcano. The draw is tomorrow at 1.30pm and City are ball number 78. City : Green, Tillson (Davies 76), Holland, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Goddard, Edwards, Harding (Morford 46), Harris (Mann 80). Subs n/u : Rawlings, Liddiard, Parker, Mustoe Report - Photos - Boris - Edwardinho - Webby - Goal


I think Boris enjoyed that don't you?

Monday October 15th 2012		Lee Marshall Mangoes winner
City are out of the County Cup. Oh Well. Lee Marshall scored a late header for Mangotsfield. City : Humphries, Mustoe, Harris, Rawlings, Mace, Mann, Liddiard, O�Leary (Davies 29), Parker (Webb 62), Morford, Corrick (Hunt 70) Subs n/u : Green, Green Report The FA Cup will be present at Satuday's game against Chippenham Town.

Saturday October 13th 2012		Darren Edwards goal then missed pen
A below par performance from City saw them lose 1-2 away at Bradford Park Avenue today. The home side went ahead through Paul Walker after nine minutes before Darren Edwards equalised and then wasted a great chance to take the lead when his penalty was saved. The Yorkshire side scored the winner in the second half through Rob Marshall. Apologies for the lack of photos and a more considered view but for the first time ever in over twenty years of going to watch City away our car was stranded on the closed M1 and had to turn back, we watched Solihull Moors beat Guiseley 2-0 instead. City : Green, Green (Tillson), Holland, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Liddiard (Harris), Goddard, Edwards, Harding (Corrick), Davies. Subs n/u : Rawlings, Mann Report

Tuesday October 9th 2012		Kev Sawyer County Cup opponent
A date has been set for the Tigers' first involvement in the Gloucestershire County Cup with their tie against Mangotsfield United being moved to Cossham Street and being played on Monday October 15th with a 7.30pm kick off. Unfortunately this means that City will miss Lewis Hogg who will be serving the second game of his latest two-match ban but those who make the short trip will be able to reacquaint themselves with goalkeeper Kev Sawyer who has this week signed for the Mangoes from Leamington. Avoid the golden goal scam.

Monday October 8th 2012		Luke Ballinger FA Cup opponent
The draw for the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup has been made and City will face ex-Southern League rivals Chippenham Town at Whaddon Road on Saturday October 20th (k/o 3pm). Conor Thompson has been playing for the Bluebirds although has been linked with a move to Exeter City so may or may not face us. Luke Ballinger will also line up for them alongside Alex Kite and Brandon Barnes. With ex-Tiverton man Nathan Rudge marking Darren Edwards you're likely to see more elbows than you would on a tour of a prosthetic limb factory. Come along and support the Tigers into the First Round Proper for the first time in 23 years!

Sunday October 7th 2012		Tom Hamblin top scorer Jordan Goddard booked Mitch Harding subbed
Well, City are in the fourth qualifying round and thats all that matters. Had this been on Sky Sports the action areas would've heavily favoured Eastleigh but the only statistic that mattered was that we scored and they didn't. And that goal came from top scorer Tom Hamblin, defender Tom Hamblin a player who has almost scored as many goals in his past six games as he had done in his previous one hundred and seventy-five! The goal came early doors. Referee Sarah Garrett had awarded a free kick outside the area after a clumsy tackle on Steve Davies and Eastleigh keeper Jack Dovey could only parry Lewis Hogg's effort to Hamblin who slammed the ball home from a narrow angle much to the delight of the City fans and for a moment shut up the noisy entourage from the Southampton suburb. This win marked the first time that City have won a game with Garrett in charge, the previous attempts being against Northwich Victoria, Nuneaton Town and FC Halifax Town. Maybe she normally takes pity on financial basket case clubs or just lets the most northern team win! If the Eastleigh fans had anything to complain about, and one or two did shout some rather nasty things at the young lady at the end it may had been Jordan Goddard's foul on Damian Scannell which may have seen a red card, although whilst the studs were up there was no contact with the player and I feel that the yellow card was the right decision. Despite having a roll call of experienced Conference talent at their disposal Eastleigh were unable to muster anything to really test Mike Green in the City goal as the Tigers showed that defending is a key component to winning football matches when you know you might not be as technically gifted as your opponents. The only downer was the sight of Mitch Harding coming straight off following a fifty-fity challenge with an opponent, hopefully he'll be fit for Bradford next Saturday. Having had a hard draw in this round City will hope for kinder one from the FA tomorrow morning! City : Green, Green, Holland, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Hogg, Goddard, Edwards, Harding (Harris 51), Davies. Subs n/u : Rawlings, Liddiard, Tillson, Mann, Parker, Mustoe Report - Photos - Boris Interview - Dutch Interview - Hambo goal


Jordan Goddard goes in over the ball with Damian Scannell

Tuesday October 2nd 2012		Mitch Harding scored on debut Jordan Goddard him too! Chris Holland double strike Tom Hamblin scored the fifth
Apologies for the delay in updating the website but I've been sat here trying to think of the last time Gloucester City were three-nil up within eight minutes! What made the opening even more remarkable was that many City fans could be forgiven for feeling apprehensive about facing a team that we've played three times and lost three times, and that was certainly reflected by the pathetic crowd of 180 on a wet and windy night at Whaddon Road. The injection of the new boys from Bristol Rovers and also that of Chris Holland was the catalyst for City. Striker Harding put the Tigers in front inside two minutes as he played a one-two with himself and profited by Freddie Ladapo's idea of defending as he got into the box, left Phil Anderson on his ass and smacked a shot past Jorge Stadelmann. Some fans will remember Stadelmann from last season as the Histon keeper who gave a rather charming gesture to them after the 3-4 defeat in Cambridge. The irony is, had he done the same to Harding's shot he'd have probably saved it! City were dominating Bishops Stortford like they were a Tory MP in a Soho nightclub and doubled their lead minutes later. Aysa Corrick had forced the first of a couple of corners, the second of which was played short to Jordan Gooddard who found an unmarked Holland's head and Stadelmann's next movement was to pick the ball out of his net. The was particularly enjoyed by Boris who'd clearly signed him knowing his threat from set pieces. Unbelievably with just eight minutes on the clock it was three. Lackluster defending from Lewis Hogg's free kick saw Goddard work his way to the edge of the penalty area and, not being afraid to shoot leathered a shot into the top corner. I hope that those who chose to stay away tonight were enjoying their Champions League football on TV at this time. The only negative from the half was a yellow card picked up by Tom Webb for preventing a free kick, although quite how Goddard wasn't booked for what looked like a cynical foul to prevent a counter attack is a mystery. It certainly had Stortford boss Rod Stringer wound up. Just before half time it was four-nil. Stortford had exerted themselves onto the game better than they had in the first ten minutes but had looked like scoring yet a lapse in concentration at Hogg's corner saw Holland absolutely unmarked at the far post and he was left with the relatively easy task of heading the ball home. There did seem to be some debate among the opponents ad the linesman about whether the ball had swung out and then in again but the goal stood. The Tigers took their foot off the gas in the second half and were happy to soak up the Hertfordshire sides attacking threat. They did score though, from the penalty spot when Harding was adjudged to have fouled Callum Webb, although the slow-motion replay suggests that there was no contact whatsoever and that the substitute had dived. Ricky Sappleton scored from the spot. Mike Green in goal had to be on his mettle and did well to prevent further damage to his goals against column playing his best game so far. Also doing well was Tom Hamblin who now has a record of a goal every other game after he headed in Holland's knock back from Hogg's free kick to make it five. A great night to be a Gloucester City fan. City : Green, Green, Holland, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb (Liddiard 80), Hogg, Goddard, Davies (Parker 88), Harding, Corrick (Harris 60). Subs n/u : Rawlings, Mann, Liddiard Report - Photos - Interview - Goals Striker Ben Hunt has been released.


Chris Holland stoops to head home his first and City's second of the game

Monday October 1st 2012		Darren Mullings out for season?
City have bolstered their squad with two loan signings from Bristol Rovers. Mitch Harding is a forward who can also play at the back and Jordan Goddard is a midfielder, they are eighteen and nineteen years old respectively and will be with the club for a month. The signings couldn't have happened at a better time following the news that Darren Mullings is likely to miss the rest of the season with his shoulder injury.

Tiger Roar news streams from July, Aug & Sept 2012 can be found here

Page last updated : 28th February 2013

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