Gloucester City Women Reserves made to wait for title after being held by Downend Flyers Reserves

Gloucester City Women Reserves were held to a draw and subsequently denied the league title against Downend Flyers Reserves at Emerson’s Green, writes Abi Harding.

The script was torn up early on, as the hosts took the lead when Aimee Hancock was beaten one-on-one.  

From then on, Gloucester City were hunting for an all-important equaliser, and Kate Ambrey came the closest, having an effort from a tight angle cleared off the line after beating keeper Annabelle Wellington to a bouncing ball.  

The visitors hit the crossbar one minute before halftime, Ambrey seeing her saved header cannon off the top of the crossbar.  

The scoreline remained 1-0 to Downend Flyers at the break.  

City started the second half as they finished the first, applying pressure to Downend’s defence.  

Lewis’ byline cross found Neve McAusland, who’s header from close-range went agonisingly wide.  

Just a few minutes later however, Lewis stepped up and scored from the penalty spot after Naomi Baldwin was fouled in the area to level the tie at 1-1.  

City applied yet more pressure as they hunted for the winner that would see them win the league, but it was to no avail, as multiple chances went amiss.  

Alisha Kantorowicz’s volley from a tight angle hit the crossbar, before Downend cleared yet another ball off the line to keep the scoreline level after 90 minutes.  

Ironically, it was City’s First Team who would go on to clinch the league title this weekend, as news filtered through after their win at Paulton Rovers, that Bitton Ladies had been beaten at Corsham – meaning they have won the Division One North title in the SWWFL.

City’s Reserves just need to avoid defeat in their final league game at Southmead at the end of April, or hope Southmead drop points before then to wrap up the league title, although they face Whitchurch Ladies in the Gordon Perrett Cup before that.  

Next up for Downend Flyers Reserves is a fixture with Bristol Ladies Union Firsts in two weeks’ time.  

Downend Flyers: Wellington, Long, White, Watkins, Nicholls, Didcott, Lester, Brockton, Hanbridge, Chilcott, Ahmed 

Subs: Ralph, Bragg, Hylton, Goodman 

Gloucester City: Hancock, Leeman, Johnson, C. Gabb, K. Smith, Lewis, Robinson, Ambrey, O’Neil, Kantorowicz, Clarke  

Subs: Baldwin, McAusland, Sterry, Ireland, Le Sueur  

C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Naomi Baldwin (Gloucester City Women Reserves)

Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography