Post by Admin on Oct 3, 2024 8:12:40 GMT
Graham's Match Preview -
Gloucester City AFC vs Wimborne Town
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying - Sat 5 October 2024 3pm - winners £2,450, losers £625
On August 17th we made our first ever trip to Sudmeadow Road. Now, six weeks later, we're making our second visit - let's hope we don't have another tyre blow-out on the way!
Mike Cook's team have made a good start to their campaign for an immediate return to Step 2 after being relegated from National North last season. They currently sit second in the table with a W6 D2 L1 GF 14 GA 9 record. At home, their league record is exemplary: played four, won 4 - Plymouth Parkway (3-2), Wimborne (1-0), Merthyr (2-1), and Hungerford (2-1). You may have noticed that all of those victories were by the odd goal. On their league travels they've beaten Marlow (2-1) and Tiverton (1-0), drawn at Taunton (3-3) and Hanwell (0-0), and lost at Dorchester (0-1) - again, none with more than a single goal difference. Joe Hanks has scored 8 of their 14 goals, and Brandon Smalley, who bagged the winner against us, has a couple.
It's a slightly different story in the FA Cup where Gloucester defeated Paulton Rovers 2-0 at home, then drew 2-2 at Gosport, before losing 0-2 at home in the replay.
Tim Sills' team, having played a game more, sit mid -table - 11th of 22 with a W4 D1 L5 GF 8 GA 19 record. For comparison, The Magpies have played five of the same teams as The Tigers: beating Hanwell (1-0), Hungerford (2-1) and Gosport (1-0) at home, travelling to knock Tiverton out of the FA Cup (3-0), but losing at Merthyr (0-6) last Saturday. Our other victory, on the road, was against Winchester (4-2) at Basingstoke.
It's likely that both managers will view the League as their priority over this competition, so there could be opportunities for squad players who haven't seen a lot of action recently. However, with Jez Bedford, Drew Eccott-Young, Jack Lovell, and Ben Scorey on the injured list, Harry Morgan being substituted with an injury at half-time on Saturday, and Matty Burrows unavailable, manager Sills has limited options.
The Tigers came out on top in the league fixture back in August, but had keeper Thompson to thank for a spectacular flying save from Matt Neale's free-kick in time added-on to deny The Magpies a point their second-half showing deserved. Wimborne will again be the underdogs on Gloucester's 3G with their large and noisy following. But, as Jimmy Greaves said: "It's a funny old game", and will come down to who takes their chances.
There will be a result on the day - penalties if necessary.
Venue: TigerTurf Stadium, Sudmeadow Road, Gloucester GL2 5HD approx 120 miles
There are seats available on the team coach - contact Paula if you're interested.
League games admission: adults £12 (online), £14 (gate); concessions £9, 12-17s £6; U12s free with adult; family £22 (2 adults, 2 youths).
Weather forecast: light cloud; 15oC; 20% chance of rain.
Gloucester City AFC vs Wimborne Town
FA Trophy Third Round Qualifying - Sat 5 October 2024 3pm - winners £2,450, losers £625
On August 17th we made our first ever trip to Sudmeadow Road. Now, six weeks later, we're making our second visit - let's hope we don't have another tyre blow-out on the way!
Mike Cook's team have made a good start to their campaign for an immediate return to Step 2 after being relegated from National North last season. They currently sit second in the table with a W6 D2 L1 GF 14 GA 9 record. At home, their league record is exemplary: played four, won 4 - Plymouth Parkway (3-2), Wimborne (1-0), Merthyr (2-1), and Hungerford (2-1). You may have noticed that all of those victories were by the odd goal. On their league travels they've beaten Marlow (2-1) and Tiverton (1-0), drawn at Taunton (3-3) and Hanwell (0-0), and lost at Dorchester (0-1) - again, none with more than a single goal difference. Joe Hanks has scored 8 of their 14 goals, and Brandon Smalley, who bagged the winner against us, has a couple.
It's a slightly different story in the FA Cup where Gloucester defeated Paulton Rovers 2-0 at home, then drew 2-2 at Gosport, before losing 0-2 at home in the replay.
Tim Sills' team, having played a game more, sit mid -table - 11th of 22 with a W4 D1 L5 GF 8 GA 19 record. For comparison, The Magpies have played five of the same teams as The Tigers: beating Hanwell (1-0), Hungerford (2-1) and Gosport (1-0) at home, travelling to knock Tiverton out of the FA Cup (3-0), but losing at Merthyr (0-6) last Saturday. Our other victory, on the road, was against Winchester (4-2) at Basingstoke.
It's likely that both managers will view the League as their priority over this competition, so there could be opportunities for squad players who haven't seen a lot of action recently. However, with Jez Bedford, Drew Eccott-Young, Jack Lovell, and Ben Scorey on the injured list, Harry Morgan being substituted with an injury at half-time on Saturday, and Matty Burrows unavailable, manager Sills has limited options.
The Tigers came out on top in the league fixture back in August, but had keeper Thompson to thank for a spectacular flying save from Matt Neale's free-kick in time added-on to deny The Magpies a point their second-half showing deserved. Wimborne will again be the underdogs on Gloucester's 3G with their large and noisy following. But, as Jimmy Greaves said: "It's a funny old game", and will come down to who takes their chances.
There will be a result on the day - penalties if necessary.
Venue: TigerTurf Stadium, Sudmeadow Road, Gloucester GL2 5HD approx 120 miles
There are seats available on the team coach - contact Paula if you're interested.
League games admission: adults £12 (online), £14 (gate); concessions £9, 12-17s £6; U12s free with adult; family £22 (2 adults, 2 youths).
Weather forecast: light cloud; 15oC; 20% chance of rain.