Stokes Strikes Late as Quedgeley Wanderers seal win over Tewkesbury Town
Goals from Henry Miles and Riley Stokes separated Quedgeley Wanderers and Tewkesbury Town at Northway on Saturday afternoon, as the visitors ran out 2-1 winners, writes Alfie Richmond.
Fifth place Quedgeley travelled to Tewkesbury in hopes to close the eight point gap on the hosts, who began the day in fourth place — with both sides looking for a strong finish to their respective seasons.
Northway had been somewhat of a fortress for Town so far this season, having just lost three times at home during their campaign. The visitors arrived unbeaten in their last three matches, setting up an intriguing contest as Quedgeley sought revenge for the reverse fixture, in which the hosts ran out comfortable 5–1 winners.
The game burst into life inside the opening four minutes, as the hosts carved out the first real opportunity. Nathan Newland-Gallaway surged forward before cutting the ball back into the path of Jamie Goodwin, whose sweeping effort grazed the crossbar.
But the visitors responded instantly — and with ruthless precision.
Only a minute later, a devastating Quedgeley move involving Billy Osabuohien and Henry Miles put the visitors ahead, with the latter getting the final touch from close-range to put Wanderers a goal to the good.
Newland-Gallaway had a header lifted over the bar on ten minutes in the pursuit for a quick leveller.
The tempo remained relentless. Barely two minutes later, Tewkesbury were caught in possession in the middle of the park, allowing Miles to thread a ball into the path of Riley Stokes. He looked poised to put the visitors two goals up, only to be halted by a well-timed challenge from Scott Nicholls.
24 minutes in, Wanderers were threatening again to double their lead. Alfie Pledger found himself with a close-range opportunity following a corner but could only lift his effort over the bar, and Miles had a free-kick well saved by Tewkesbury keeper James Holder.
Goodwin also had a decent effort saved from a free-kick at the other end seven minutes later — and a goal came from the resulting corner. Nicholls got the final touch to tap home after a congested Quedgeley box to get the hosts level.
With two minutes until half-time, the hosts put a move together worthy of a goal. Goodwin slipped the ball through to Ryan Banfield, whose inviting cross picked out Newland-Gallaway. Stretching to meet it, he could only guide his effort over the bar, unable to keep it down.
But Quedgeley came within inches of snatching the lead at the very end of the half — and will feel they should have done. Miles cutely found Osabuohien with the outside of his boot, and while the striker did well to hold the ball up, his strike on the swivel blasted over the bar — bringing the end to an action-packed first half with the score at 1-1.
It was a slower start to the second half, but it was Quedgeley who had the first chance and, again, should’ve taken the lead. On 60 minutes, Stokes sent a dangerous ball across the Tewkesbury box to Osabuohien, who couldn’t sort his feet out at the crucial moment.
Eight minutes later, Miles was denied a wonder-goal after dancing into the Tewkesbury penalty area before being denied by Holder — as the hosts struggled to deal with the growing pressure.
The intensity of the tie had slightly fizzled since the first half, but with ten minutes to go — it was all to play for.
And on 83 minutes, the away side took the lead — and it had been coming. Finn Jenner created some space for himself to let one fly from range, but when his strike was blocked, Stokes was the first to react to sweep the ball beautifully into the bottom corner.
Jenner almost got himself in on the action with two minutes of normal time to play, after Stokes’ weight of pass found him nicely. Holder stood tall once more to keep the game alive for Tewkesbury.
A snap-shot chance fell to Alex Roder right at the death but his strike was dragged wide — signalling just a fourth home defeat for Tewkesbury, and another three points for Quedgeley.
Tewkesbury begin the first of their final six league games next weekend in a bank holiday double-header which sees them take trips to Hanham Athletic on Saturday and Bromley Heath United on Easter Monday. Wanderers face the oddity of playing the league-leaders Sharpness twice in quick succession, firstly at home on Tuesday night before the reverse fixture on Monday afternoon.
Tewkesbury Town: Holder; Anderson, Banfield, Hill, Oliver, Nicholls, Newland-Gallaway, Sutherland, Goodwin, Sheehan ©, Roder.
Subs: Cottell, Stanley (60’), Adams, Huggins, Peachey (86’).
Quedgeley Wanderers: Sparrow; Langworthy, Barnett, Reynolds, Pledger, Clifford, Jackson, O’Shea, Osabuohien, Miles, Stokes.
Subs: Horrocks, Parker (83’), Jenner (62’), Furniss (88’), Wilkes (72’).
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Henry Miles (Quedgeley Wanderers)
READ MORE: Check out the list of results in and around Gloucestershire this Non-League Day right here
