Gloucester City leave it late to get past Weymouth

Two late goals in five second half minutes saw Gloucester City earn a hard fought 3-1 win over Weymouth in the Southern League Premier South.

Goals from Joe Hanks and King Baidoo saw City secure all three points in a match that looked set to limp to a stalemate after Reuban Reid’s second half penalty had cancelled out Harry Pinchard’s opener, which came just before half time.

With a number of men missing – including centre back Ben Richards-Everton, who announced he is stepping away from football to manage a long term knee injury on Saturday morning, Daf Williams’ side lacked any real quality in the final third for the most part but will be delighted with the result.

The Tigers remain 2nd in the table, seven points behind leaders Walton & Hersham, who have two games in hand over City.

And with a huge game away at Poole Town to come at the end of February, City will be looking to keep building momentum when they head to Chertsey Town and host Wimborne Town in between.

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City created most of their first half openings down the left hand side, with left back Morgan Lewis getting forward on a number of occasions.

First, he sent his effort from the left corner of the box over the bar, before his ball in was turned home by Kane Simpson – only for the celebrations to be cut short by the offside flag.

On half an hour City were forced into a disappointing change with Kieran Phillips seeming to pull up when chasing a ball forward – with King Baidoo replacing the stricken forward.

Loanee Rylie Siddall grew into the contest during the first 45 minutes and looked a bright spark for the hosts.

He drove into the box before just dragging wide, before his ball in just evaded a couple of runners.

Weymouth were forced into a first half change themselves, with former Forest Green striker Reuban Reid joining proceedings.

Reid had an effort saved by Jared Thompson, as did Andreas Robinson, who caught a volley on the edge of the box – with Weymouth’s best chances of the half.

Just before the break Siddall skipped to the left byline, before his cut back was fired in off the bar by Harry Pinchard.

City should have been further ahead in stoppage time, but after Lewis’ ball in from the left was palmed down, Baidoo screwed his follow up against the foot of the post.

The second half started with Weymouth on the front foot and Gloucester still in the changing room!

A number of corners came into their box, but the City back line defended well enough to prevent Thompson from having to make any saves.

On 55 minutes though, Weymouth were awarded a penalty when Reid was tripped in the box, with the striker sending Thompson the wrong way to restore parity.

Siddall pulled back on the hour mark after beating his man, but Kane Simpson didn’t anticipate the defender missing his clearance and the chance was gone.

The hosts struggled to create anything of substance in a poor second half, until Elis Watts’ effort on 75 minutes was beaten away by Max Evans.

With two minutes of normal time remaining, Watts cut in from the right and curled into the box, with his ball in seemingly bouncing straight in – however, substitute Joe Hanks has claimed the final touch.

In injury time, Watts worked his way into the box before his ball in was palmed down for Baidoo to force home from close range.

Daf Williams’ side are on the road next weekend, as they head to Chertsey Town looking to keep up with the league leaders.

Gloucester City: J Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Phillips, Spence, Watts, Thomas, Pinchard, Mohammed, Simpson, Siddall

Subs: C Thompson, Wildig, Hanks, Day, Baidoo

Weymouth: Evans, Hutchinson, Douglas, Genesini, Bearwish, Goodship, Burrows, A S Robinson, Betts, Pollock, Stone

Subs: A M Robinson, Neale, Moss, Reid, Stavrianos

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Rylie Siddall (Gloucester City)