Gloucester's A Squad ground out their first Cotswold
victory of the season, edging home by the odd goal in
three against league newcomers Bath. The home side
opened brightly with Courtney Hamilton twice, Mark Ford
and Grant Dillon all going close before Bath took the
lead on 19 minutes, Ernie Peibest turning the ball home
from close range after his powerful header had struck
the bar. Gloucester however stuck to their task and
their territorial dominance was rewarded when Kyle
James-Bryan's speculative effort found the top corner
four minutes before the interval. Dillon and Jackson,
who had both performed well prior to the interval made
way for Mace and Coppola, but the city team struggled to
create any clear openings against a Bath side in which
right back Dan Rosser and skipper Lewis Hunt in
particular gave impressive displays. Gloucester however
won much of the loose ball and with nine minutes
remaining they claimed the winner, Callum Preece's free
kick being turned in by James-Bryan. Harding then tested
Butler but the keeper was equal to his effort and right
at the death Simmons saw his drive fly past James' left
hand post as Bath searched for a late equaliser.
Gloucester: James; Miller, Stroud-Drinkwater, Harris,
Preece, Dillon; Jackson, Hamilton, Harding; James-Bryan,
Ford. Subs: Coppola, Mace. Gloucester's B Squad racked
up a comprehensive victory over their Newbury
counterparts to record their second league success of
the campaign. Rory Lamden fired in the first and Lee
Brown doubled the advantage before Darryl Cooper reduced
the arrears with a well taken goal. With little to
choose between the sides prior to the interval,
Gloucester dominated the second period with Lamden
completing his hat trick, Brown adding another and Ryan
Chandler opening his season's account to complete a 6-1
scoreline. For Gloucester, Joe Payne enjoyed a solid
game in central midfield, winning a lot of good ball and
he was well supported in that area by Josh Kiely and
Chandler who combined effectively. James Tanner has
settled well into the defence after returning from
holiday but he and the remainder of his side will need
to be at their best when they face two difficult games
at Bassetlaw and Derby next weekend. Gloucester B:
N.Woodward; Kiely, Smith, Tanner, Payne, Brown,
Chandler, Howell, Porter, Lamden, Willetts. Subs:
B.Woodward, Hathaway.
