No match report today as we were travelling. The roads were empty which allowed the GPSFA wagon to glide/slide all the way down to Southampton.

After the short 25 minute flight it was off to the hotel to check-in and unpack. The afternoon was spent on the west coast of the island. After a brief game of beach football it was decided by skipper Hamilton that the sea should also have a touch. With a bit of luck the GPSFA training ball should reach South Africa just in time for the 2010 World Cup! Less said the better..

After a spot of afternoon tea and cake it was back to the hotel for a 3 course meal. Food chosen ranged from roast lamb to Mediterranean Quiche!

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

Gloucester opened their festival programme with a 2-0 victory over a skilful Waltham Forest side. The Essex team had more of the possession in the first period, but the City defence with Vallender and Longuet-Higgins in particular prominent, meant Borg was largely untroubled. Gloucester however twice went close to breaking the deadlock before the interval, both Preedy and Morgan driving narrowly wide.

The second half belonged to Gloucester, Hamilton providing the driving force from midfield and Watts giving width down the right. The Forest keeper made a great save to deny Preedy before Watts' excellent cross field ball was very well finished left-footed by Kotwica.

Forest hit back and Borg was forced into a fine save, while Hood saw his free kick comeback off the bar. The City team though extended their lead when Kotwica powerfully headed home McMahon's corner and Watts had a well struck effort saved by the keeper as Gloucester finished strongly.

Sutton Coldfield provided the opposition in Gloucester's second festival outing a fast and entertaining encounter ending all square.

The city side applied all the early pressure with Hamilton and Preedy dominating the midfield and Morgan and Kotwica causing numerous problems for the Sutton defence. On 10 minutes and totally against the run of play Sutton broke quickly and Day raced clear to finish well. Back came Gloucester and within four minutes levelled matters, Preedy cracking home a 25 yard free kick after Morgan was fouled.

An excellent move involving Watts and Hamilton led to Morgan releasing Kotwica with a fine diagonal ball for the the centre forward to finish with aplomb. Kotwica then saw his header saved as Gloucester ended the half strongly, but it was the Midlanders who enjoyed more of the possession after the break and equalised eight minutes in through a well struck Coton free kick.

Keightley, Vallender, Williams and Head limited Suttons's direct opportunities on goal, but Borg was forced into a very fine save to deny Day while at the other end Preedy saw his free kick tipped on to the bar and over.

With three minutes remaining Kotwica drove just wide after being played in by Hamilton, but a draw was a fair result between two evenly matched sides.

City completed their first group stage with a 2-0 victory against a committed Hackney team. A tired looking city started slowly. A rare passage of 'adequate ' play mid way through the first half saw city take the lead. Cooper played the ball to Hamilton who played a one, two with Watts and then fired an excellent cross to Kotwica who calmly volleyed the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

City increased the lead within 5 minutes, a cross from Watts was side footed home by Kotwica. After half time Hackney took control of the game. City's goalkeeper Borg produced a fine display of positional play mopping up through ball after through ball.

City were always dangerous on the break but were unable to add to the half time score. The game finished 2-0 to city who can only hope a good nights sleep will aid them against a strong Barking outfit.

Zach Kotwica#s first half double saw a dominant Gloucester pick up the points in thier fourth festival outing at the expense of Barking & Dagenham. Kotwica opened the scoring on 4 minutes, the centre forward lobbing the on rushing keeper following Hamilton's fine pass.

The hard working Morgan provided Kotwica with a second opportunity, only for his well struck drive back of the crossbar. Morgan himself was denied by a brave goal line clearance and Williams saw his free kick saved before Kotwica's assured finish following Preedy's assist doubled the advantage.

The city team's central defensive partnership of Head, Vallender and Keightley looked comfortable in the face of Barking's limited forays, and with Hamilton, Preedy and McMahon continuing to dominate the centre of midfield and Watts and Longuet-Higgins providing width down the flanks, Gloucester maintained their edge.

The rampaging Hamilton twice drove wide, the keeper was quickly off his line to deny Kotwica a third before providing the save of the game to thwart Morgan whose great run and shot was worthy of a goal. 

Report to follow... Score Gloucester 1 - South Birmingham 3

Report to follow... Score Gloucester 1 - Bishop Auckland 1

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