City in control of play-off push after professional win over Tiverton
Gloucester City maintained their firm grasp on a Southern League play-off place, thanks to a 3-1 win over Tiverton Town on Friday night.
In a performance that wasn’t particularly dazzling, it was professional from Mike Cook’s side, who took an early lead through debutant Curtis Jemmett- Hutson.
Former Tiger Joe Parker curled in a stunning equaliser for the visitors and the fixture was locked at a nervy 1-1 at half time.
But second half goals from Ed Williams and substitute Brandon Smalley sealed the deal and Gloucester open up an 11 point gap between themselves and the pack chasing the play-off spots.
With five games left of the season, City know that they are a couple of wins away from securing their own play-off spot, although it seems very likely they extend their season as it stands.
The game itself saw City start well, Williams had a strike saved inside two minutes, before a corner was headed back across goal by Dan Ball, before being cleared.
From the resulting corner, the ball was recycled down the right and Curtis Jemmett-Hutson was left unmarked to head home in off the post.
From there, City fell pretty flat. Joe Parker had the bit between his teeth and after getting in down the left, his cross was only scuffed at City keeper Luke Bell.
Parker beat Bell on 12 minutes, but saw his sharp effort from just inside the box crash off the crossbar, but it felt like a matter of time before he scored himself.
On 24 minutes, Parker once again latched onto a ball down the left, but this time cut in on his right foot and curled in an absolutely stunning effort past Bell, who had no chance.
The remainder of the half felt nervy. The hosts had lost all tempo and rhythm and Tiverton would go on to have the best chance of the final 15 minutes.
Charlie Cummins drove at the heart of the hosts’ and carried the ball a good 30 yards into the box, but Bell rushed out to smother in the one on one.
Ten minutes after the break, City regain a sense of control and their lead.
A long ball forward was flicked on to Ed Williams and with the visitors calling for offside, it was deemed the flick on was off a Tiverton head, allowing Williams to pick his spot and plant into the bottom corner.
Jemmett-Hutson and Dayle Grubb were replaced following the goal, with Liam Cross and Brandon Smalley entering proceedings.
And it didn’t take long for Smalley to add a third, tapping home after Dan Ball’s great run and cross from the left hand side.
In truth, the final half an hour petered out as the 1809 in attendance saw Cook’s side manage the game and move on with three points.
Next up for the Tigers is the visit of 5th placed Dorchester Town next weekend, before a trip to Chertsey Town the following weekend.
Gloucester City: Bell, Leadbitter, Richards-Everton, Duffus, Dawson, Ball, Williams, Pinchard, Watts, Grubb, Jemmett-Hutson
Subs: Smalley, Hanks, Emmett, Cross, Burns
Tiverton Town: Duncan, D Jones, Down, Britton, Parker, Hall, Thompson, Forkuo, Cummins, Koita, Gleeson
Subs: J Jones, Beardwell, Day, Billington, Roberts
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Ed Williams (Gloucester City)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s fixtures in and around Gloucestershire right here
Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
