Gloucester City one win from securing play-offs after demolition job against Marlow

Gloucester City put Marlow to the sword on Good Friday, winning 7-0 to leave them one win away from securing their place in the Southern League play-offs.

Mike Cook’s side ran riot in a first half that saw them lead 6-0 at half time, thanks to goals from Joe Hanks, Dan Ball, Elis Watts, Harry Pinchard, Dayle Grubb and Ed Williams.

Grubb added a seventh with his second of the game after the break to leave the Tigers needing just one win from their final two games to extend their campaign.

However, City could be have their play-off place confirmed on Saturday afternoon if Havant & Waterlooville fail to beat Bracknell Town.

But City will expect to go into their Easter Monday trip to Swindon Supermarine knowing they have their destiny in their own hands.

If the results were to go against City for the rest of the weekend, then they know a win at home to Gosport Borough next weekend will be enough.

Gloucester could still also secure a home play-off, although Walton & Hersham are a point ahead and now have a game in hand.

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It didn’t take long for makeshift centre forward, Joe Hanks, to give the hosts the lead – as he fired in off the post in the third minute.

City doubled their lead four minutes later as Dayle Grubb’s effort was saved, with the rebound turned home by Dan Ball.

A rampant Gloucester made it 3-0 on 14 minutes, with Hanks holding the ball up before laying it to Ed Williams, who in turn found Elis Watts on the edge of the box and Watts curled home beautifully.

Kev Dawson fired wide moments later, before Harry Pinchard got in on the act – getting space on the edge of the area before his effort went in off the foot of the post.

City missed a couple of glorious chances to make it five just after the hour mark, but Grubb sliced wide from a good position and Harrison Rhone produced a great double save to deny Dawson and then Pinchard’s follow up.

Jared Thompson produced a great save to keep out Marlow’s best chance of the game, a driven effort from Naheer Nawaf.

And Cook’s side weren’t done for the half, scoring two in the final three minutes to really flex their muscles.

First, Hanks and Dawson combined, allowing the latter to cut back for Ed Williams to hook in from close range.

Then Hanks unselfishly laid one on a plate for Grubb to get a goal his first half display dissevered.

As expected, City took their foot of the gas in the second half, but Grubb curled home his second of the game just after the hour mark to make it 7-0.

Pinchard went close to a second himself, with Harry Burns having the best chance of the final half an hour – but the substitute saw his effort saved by Rhone.

Attentions now turn to the trip to Swindon Supermarine on Easter Monday.

Gloucester City: Thompson, Jemmett-Hutson, Richards-Everton, Duffus, Dawson, Ball, Williams, Pinchard, Hanks, Grubb, Watts

Subs: Crosbie, Burns, Emmett, Cross, Smalley

Marlow: Rhone, Oladunjoye, Maudner, Hoath, Agar, Salmon, Jallow, Ovenden, Brown, Curtis, Nawaf

Subs: Jack, Muburi, Obodo

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Joe Hanks (Gloucester City)