Saturday 19th September v Telford & Sutton Coldfield
by Iron Bridge

Gloucester's A Squad opened their 2009/10 campaign with a hard-fought victory at Telford, where a late penalty from Luke Hawkins proved the difference between the two teams. The visitors began the stronger, with Walker, Nutting and Wilkinson providing the midfield energy and it was Walker who went close early on when his well-struck drive was touched round the post by Newbold in the home goal. Walker's resulting corner flashed across the face of the goal with no-one able to get the decisive touch, while Nutting's cross eluded everyone in similar fashion immediately afterwards. The hosts however were denied moments later by a fine tackle from Vallender who slotted in well alongside Goode, Ashman, Hawkins and Assheton, who each took up the central defensive / sweeper's role at some point in the game. Similarly, Stock and Jones performed well on the flanks to give the visitors' defence more solidity, while providing width when the city team attacked. Walker again went close for Gloucester as his left foot drive flashed inches wide and Nutting's free kick following a foul on Bird just cleared the Telford bar. Howells went close for the hosts just before the interval and did the same shortly afterwards, while a good run from Wilkinson was halted by a fine tackle from Taylor. With ten minutes remaining a dangerous break by Meredith was halted by Assheton's well-timed challenge before play switched to the other end and when Wilkinson was upended in the box, Hawkins confidently converted the resulting spot kick to give the city side the lead. Sutherland was inches away from adding a second before a fine Nutting tackle denied Telford their last chance of finding the net. Gloucester: Welch; C.Stock, Goode, Vallender, Hawkins, Jones; Walker, Nutting, Wilkinson; Bird, Sutherland. Subs: Ashman, Assheton. Gloucester's B Squad fared less well at Sutton Coldfield, where the home side's extra pace proved too much for the visitors. Two goals from midfielder Day paved the way for the hosts' success and Johnson headed home a corner to make it three before the interval. Smith fired past Sargent for number four before Bradley Wood reduced the arrears for the city team. Commons bagged number five after Onions' effort came back off the crossbar as Sutton completed a 5-1 victory. Gloucester B: Sargent; Staddon, Carr, Stock, Thompson; Robbie, D.Hayes, M.Hayes, Webb; Dada-Grieve, Wood. Subs: Dodd, Simmonds.