Travelling day so match to report on, it was a good job as half the teams were stuck at Gatwick Airport for most of the day! GPSFA were the lucky ones, a non stop bus journey from Longlevens reached Eastleigh airport in record time thanks in part to the empty roads but in main to the down hill nature of the journey...

After the short 30 minute flight it was off to the hotel to check-in and unpack. The afternoon was spent on the west coast of the island, Corbiere Lighthouse being the first stop. After a spot of rock climbing it was off to the five mile beach for a spot of football.

The skins won the match thanks to a rather controversial last minute golden goal Then it was back to the hotel for a quick wash and then a 3 course meal. Food chosen ranged from roast lamb to Mediterranean Quiche!

It must be noted that the eating competition this year may be the mostly hotly contested in years as there are upto 6 potential winners (dustbins).

An after meal walk was taken to burn off the food, then it was back to hotel to get an early night in preperation for the week ahead.

Gloucester opened the 2005 festival with a hard fought 1 - 0 victory against a strong Barking outfit.

The decisive goal came mid-way through the first half, a clearance from inside the Barking goal area was met by the head of Wellington who managed to head it towards the goal. Unfortunately for the Barking keeper the greasy ball slipped through his grasp into the net.

Barking were on top for the rest of the first half, Forlan in the Gloucester goal was called upon on several occasions to make important saves.

The second half produced very few clear cut chances but the natural ebb and flow of the game kept the score in doubt until the final whistle.

Gloucester kept a second clean sheet in a row as they ran out comfortable 3 - 0 winners against a battling Hackney.

Wellington opened the scoring with a sweetly struck volley from 30 yards. Edge doubled the lead after a free kick taken by Wellington was only partially saved by the Hackney keeper allowing Edge to drill home the rebound.

The third and decisive goal was slotted home by Sam Carter midway through the second half. Gloucester now go on to play the Festival Elect 11 and will be looking to extend their unbeaten run.

Gloucester have almost booked their place in the first place play off on Friday thanks to a scrappy 4 - 0 win against the Festival Elect 11.

It wasn't all plain sailing for Gloucester as twice in the first few minutes the Festival Elect could have taken the lead, good goalkeeping from Foran in the Gloucester goal prevented anything from crossing the line.

Gloucester scored two quick fire goals before half time. Sam Carter stroked home the first and then with seconds left before half time Niall Wellington added a second.

Gloucester were much improved in the second half and doubled their lead with a brace from substitute Jon Blackwell. Wednesday's match is the inter group game against Chiltern.

(No pictures today as the afternoon was spent in the swimming pool!) 

A superb performance from a confident Gloucester outfit secured top spot in group A and guaranteed their place in the 1st place play off match on Friday.

Two goals in the first half were enough to seal this victory, Jamie Edge and Jon Blackwell were the goalscorers.

The second half saw Gloucester hold off a spirited Chiltern who with the elements looked a constant threat. However, Gloucester marshalled by an assured Jake Mills did not only hang on but created the best chances of the half.

Thursday's match is the final group A game, the opponents this time are Newbury A. 

Gloucester maintained their 100% record in Jersey with a 3 - 0 victory over Newbury.

Gloucester started slowly and were lucky not to go behind on several occasions. An early double substitution instantly improved the Gloucester performance. Gloucester did take the lead against the run of play after 15 minutes, a quick break-a-way ended up at the feet of Tom Burrows who calmly put the ball into the back of the net.

The second half saw a different Gloucester, taking control of the ball for large portions of the half. Gloucester were rewarded with two quick goals from Niall Wellington and a second from Warren.

Gloucester now play Jersey in the first place play off on Friday (10.15am ko)

Gloucester completed a quite brilliant week by beating the hosts Jersey in the first place play off 2-1.

Jersey started the game the better creating several chances, once again this week Luke Foran in the Gloucester goal repelled everything thrown at him. However, after 10 minutes Jersey did take the lead. A ball over the top was cleared by Foran into the on rushing Jersey striker who was able to pick up the bouncing ball and finish from close range.

Within a couple of minutes the game was level, a well taken free kick was fumbled by the Jersey keeper and Niall Wellington pounced to open the Gloucester account. 5 minutes later Gloucester took the lead, a loose ball in the Jersey box was superbly volleyed into the net by Gloucester's dependable centre back Ben Wasley.

After the break Jersey pushed for an equaliser but turgid defending from the Gloucester back line kept Jersey at bay. Foran in the Glouceser goal produced one of the great goalkeeping displays of the season as he swallowed everything near him.

Joy........ 

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