10 man Gloucester City forced to settle for a draw after late leveller

Gloucester City dropped two points having been 2-0 and 3-2 up against a Berkhamsted side who clinched a 3-3 draw in stoppage time on Tuesday night.

Despite a second half red card for Ed Williams, City added to the lead given to them by Elis Watts when Harry Pinchard found the bottom corner.

But two goals in as many minutes from Pierce Mitchell and J J Lacey saw the visitors level with twenty minutes to go.

Within seconds though, City were back in front, as Dylan Jones tricked his way through to the box before finding the bottom corner.

And as the 10 men looked to see out what looked set to be a fairly comfortable win, only to see Ryan Blake bundle the ball home in the second minute of stoppage time.

It is a frustrating result for Daf Williams and his side, who controlled the majority of the game without being outstanding themselves – but the Tigers stay second in the Southern League Premier South table after Tuesday’s results.

They go onto their FA Trophy First Round tie this weekend, when they welcome Havant & Waterlooville to New Meadow Park.

749 were in attendance to see if City could build on another great win last Saturday and after some early pressure they broke the deadlock on 20 minutes.

King Baidoo was a constant threat on the left hand side in the first half and his ball into the box wasn’t cleared and Watts swept home to settle a couple of nerves.

Baidoo was slipped in down the left side of the box just before the half hour mark, but after tucking into the bottom corner his celebrations were cut short by the offside flag.

The former Hartpury man then flashed one straight across the goal just before half time.

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Baidoo had the first chance of the second half too, getting on the end of a reversed through ball, but seeing his effort saved at his near post by Charlie Horlock.

Moments later City were reduced to ten when Ed Williams was given a red card for a flick out and push after the hosts had given away a free kick.

A number of home supporters disagreed with the decision, but Williams did raise his hands under the referee’s nose – so it was no surprise to see the official reach for the red.

However that didn’t stop the Tigers, who continued to control proceedings and doubled their lead when Harry Pinchard got to the right byline, cut back inside before curling into the bottom corner.

Just after the hour mark it should have been three as Baidoo cut back for Joe Hanks – who uncharacteristically scuffed wide.

Berkhamsted turned the game on it’s head with two goals in as many minutes though, with centre back Pierce Mitchell getting the final touch after a corner was flicked towards the back post.

Within seconds J J Lacey was afforded way too much time on the edge of the box and he rifled past Thompson to leave New Meadow Park in a stunned silence.

But that didn’t last long, as Dylan Jones capped off an impressive display but battling through two or three defenders into the box and screwing his effort into the bottom corner.

With City now back in front, the points were theirs for the taking. They typically sank back and with Baidoo now playing through the middle – he chased everything.

Agonisingly for the hosts though, a 92nd minute corner was flicked against the bar, with the rebound cleared off the line before Ryan Blake bundled the ball home.

The hosts protested as they felt Jared Thompson had the ball in his gloves after the initial goalline clearance, but the goal stood and the points were shared.

Gloucester City: Thompson, Jones, O’Regan, Williams, Watts, Hanks, Richards-Everton, H Pinchard, Emmett, Obieri, Baidoo

Subs: Thomas, Morgan, Roberts, Phillips, Z Pinchard

Berkhamsted: Horlock, Wilkes, Hyde, Barker, Mitchell, Gurteen, Busari, Andrews, Harding, Lacey, Blake

Subs: Brooks, Wadkins, Duodu, Harriman-Annous

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – King Baidoo (Gloucester City)