Saturday 3rd October v South Birmingham & St Albans
by Charles Darwin

Gloucester's two district sides played their opening competition games at Longlevens, the B Squad going down to South Birmingham, while the A side triumphed against St Albans. In the day's opening encounter, Gloucester B eventually succumbed to an excellent South Birmingham side whose pass and move football was well worth watching. The visitors went ahead in only the fourth minute, Lakin stealing in at the far post to sidefoot his team ahead. Birmingham then laid siege to the home goal, but some fine keeping from Sargent and some determined defending from Wood, Euan Stock and Thompson in particular prevented the visitors from extending their lead. Dodd forced a save from Doyle in a rare Gloucester attack, but after Andrews had struck the woodwork for Birmingham, Lakin doubled the visitors' advantage. Skipper Deegan Hayes reduced the arrears direct from a free kick after he had been upended just outside the box and despite their territorial dominance, the Midlanders only led by a single goal at the interval. Ten minutes after the break Gloucester were level, Robbie providing the assist for Hayes to add his second. Back came Birmingham however and Maddocks restored the advantage before strikes from Whitehouse and captain Finglas put the game out of Gloucester's reach. Undaunted though, the hosts struck again, Deegan Hayes laying on the opportunity for namesake Matthew to bring the score back to 5-3, but the impressive Midland outfit closed out the game to claim the three Midland Challenge Trophy points. The Gloucester boys however can look back on a very resolute performance against a fine side who look likely to be challenging in the West Midlands competitions this year. Gloucester B: Sargent; E.Stock, Wood, Thompson; Carr, D.Hayes, Staddon, Webb, Simmonds; Dada-Grieve, Dodd. Subs: Robbie, M.Hayes. Gloucester's A Squad got their Berkshire League campaign off to the best possible start with a victory over St Albans. Both Assheton and Wilkinson went close for Gloucester early on, while the visitors looked to use the long clearances from keeper Jacobs to good effect, though Walker at the back of the city midfield proved to be dominant in the air throughout. At the back, Ashman, Vallender and Hawkins looked solid in the centre of the home defence, while wing backs Stock and Jones provided both width when attacking and security when the visitors gained possession. The home side claimed the lead midway through the first period, Wilkinson, Nutting and Assheton both involved before Sutherland clipped the ball home and after Nutting had volleyed just wide, the city skipper headed home Walker's corner for number two. Assheton extended the lead yet further, heading in Sutherland's left wing cross to put the city side three ahead at the break. Gloucester were forced to defend as St Albans looked to reduce the arrears early in the second period, though Sutherland twice forced saves from the visitors' keeper as the hosts looked dangerous on the counter. With 12 minutes remaining, a fine run and pass from Ashman saw Sutherland claim his second, while the impressive Walker drove just wide. Bird worked hard for the hosts in both a forward capacity and in tracking back to help nullify the Saints' midfield who continued to press hard to get back into the game. Goode, Vallender and Assheton each had to be on their mettle to deny a direct strike on Welsh's goal, but Sanders did miss a fine chance to pull one back, blazing over from six yards out. Gloucester finished in the ascendancy however and the industrious Ashman almost made it five, only to be denied by the Saints keeper. Gloucester A: Welsh; C.Stock, Vallender, Hawkins, Ashman, Jones; Walker, Nutting, Wilkinson; Assheton, Sutherland. Subs: Bird, Goode.