Thomas on target as Gloucester City scrape past Bracknell Town

Keiran Thomas scored the only goal of the game as Gloucester City scraped past Bracknell Town on Saturday, with the Tigers winning 1-0.

Thomas’ second half header could prove to be a crucial one, as Saturday’s result opened up a five point buffer between City in 2nd place in the Southern League Premier South table and 3rd placed Poole Town.

City went into the game having won at Poole last weekend and on another day could have been behind at half time – with Bracknell creating a number of clear cut openings.

But in the end, the hosts would have been delighted to claim all three points, despite a less than routine performance from Daf Williams’ side.

Next weekend City head to Berkhamsted, before they welcome Uxbridge to the KMM Energy Stadium.

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Bracknell created a number of good opportunities in the first half, including a pull back for Seb Bowerman on 13 minutes, but he skied his effort.

Jordan Espirit got into space on the right side of the box, but dragged wide.

City’s first real chance saw a Morgan Lewis cross from the left rebound out to Bangladeshi international, Cuba Mitchell, who fired over.

On 30 minutes, City had their best opening as a right wing crossed deflected up for Joe Hanks to head straight at Bracknell keeper Zaki Oualah.

Espirit got into space on the right hand side of the box again for the visitors, but this time dragged his effort across goal and wide.

Bowerman then curled an effort in from 18 yards, but Jared Thompson got down low to his left to save.

Thompson was called into action just after half time to deny Espirit after the striker skipped past two defenders.

Rylie Siddall curled over for City, before the winger combined with Morgan Lewis before the cross fizzed across the six yard box, evading Hanks and Kane Simpson.

The breakthroguh came on 65 minutes, as Thomas rose highest to head home from Elis Watts’ corner.

There was a sense of relief around the KMM, but the game was far from safe.

Bracknell had two huge chances in the final 10 minutes, with a ball in headed straight at Thompson from close range.

But the big moment came on 85 minutes, when a ball from the right was headed back across goal by Arthur Gregory, only for Thompson to produce a stunning save to palm out of his top corner and ultimately secure the win for his side.

In the end it was a crucial three points for Gloucester, who continue their bid for a home play-off at the end of the season.

Gloucester City: J Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Wildig, Watts, Thomas, Hanks, Mitchell, Mohammed, Simpson, Siddall

Subs: C Thompson, Ali, Cross, Stretton, Baidoo

Bracknell Town: Oualah, George, McDowell, Johnson-Schuster, Propser, Espirit, Bowerman, Coomes, McGregor, Harris, Kennedy

Subs: Murphy, Alfa, Herbert, Gregory, Mazzone

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Morgan Lewis (Gloucester City)