Gala set up Semi Final showdown with Whaddon on exciting Reg Davis Cup Quarter Final night

Gala Wilton will face Whaddon United in the Semi Final of the Reg Davis Cup, after beating Stonehouse Town Reserves 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Tom Berry put his side ahead in the first half, before Stonehouse levelled through former Gala striker Tim Hill before the break.

But second half goals from substitutes Salieu Jaiteh and Josh Mann were enough to seal the win for Gala in a second 45 minutes that grew feisty as Stonehouse pushed for a route back into the game.

Stonehouse saw defender Harry Spearey sent off as we approached injury time as the hosts saw the game out with the killer third three minutes into added time.

The result continues Gala’s start that has seen their only successes in their opening five games coming in the Reg Davis Cup – having lost 1-0 and 2-0 to local rivals Hardwicke and Brockworth Albion in their league outings.

But with Wednesday’s performance, Dean Johnson will be hoping his side can take their cup momentum into the next run of league matches, which sees them entertain Stonehouse Town Reserves once again on Saturday 5 September – coincidently, this is Stonehouse Town Reserves’ next match.

Before that, Gala head to Falcons, before their Semi Final showdown against Whaddon United on Wednesday 9 September.

Whaddon booked their place in the Semi Finals again with a 3-1 victory of their own, in a rematch of last season’s final against Dursley Town.

In the first semi, Wickwar Wanderers will play Tuffley Rovers Reserves after they beat Cheltenham Civil Service and Harrow Hill respectively.

That tie will take place on Wednesday 2 September – with both Semi Finals being hosted at Longlevens’ Saw Mills ground.

Both games will be live commentaries on Severn Sport, in case you are unable to attend either tie.

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Wednesday’s featured game was an entertaining one, with both Gala and Stonehouse trying to win the game from the off and both defences resolute for the most part.

Gala struck early when a corner pinballed around the Stonehouse box, before centre half Tom Berry slammed the ball home at the back post.

Stonehouse levelled with their first meaningful effort on 21 minutes, with Harvey Masson’s blocked effort falling for Tim Hill to sweep home against his former side.

But the hosts started to get the better of the half just after the half hour mark and retook the lead when a free kick into the box was turned home by Salieu Jaiteh – despite claims from the visitors that keeper Noah Sunter was impeded coming to claim.

Jaiteh had only been on for about five minutes, after replacing Jordan Molyneux who suffered a suspected broken nose and had departed for the hospital.

Gala should have had a penalty moments later when Mohamed Morgalba was fouled in the box, however the referee waived away appeals – in reality, Stonehouse had gotten away with one moments after they maybe should have been given a free kick.

Riley Bourne had great chances to extend his side’s lead either side of half time, but saw his effort blocked before the break, and having two efforts stopped smartly by Sunter just after the restart.

With just under twenty minutes to go, the temperature of the game increased when Bourne and Stonehouse midfielder Cole Smith become involved in a shoving match off the ball – with both players given a booking.

The game was fizzling out and Stonehouse were struggling to create trouble for Jamie Gunter to deal with in the Gala goal, but an 82nd minute free kick nearly brought a leveller.

Gunter came for it, got nowhere near it but was relieved to see the ball bounce in the six yard box to the feet of Wakib Said who slashed clear.

Then just as injury time approached a foul on the far side brought with it a number of players from each side involved in a scuffle.

The referee spoke to a number of players, with shouts coming from both sides about potential punches being thrown. In the end, Spearey was given a red card for his reactions and Stonehouse were forced to end the game with 10 men.

And that proved costly as they were outnumbered on a break and substitute Josh Mann produced a superb first touch on the edge of the box before firing in off the bar to seal the deal.

A scintillating cup Quarter Final that sees Gala into the final four after a superb defensive display, summed up by James Stubbs in midfield who’s game management in the second half in particular was outstanding.

Gala Wilton: Gunter, Loveridge, Hodgins, Sheridan, Berry, Matthews, Morgalba, Stubbs, Heaven, Molyneux, Bourne

Subs: Said, Jaiteh, Gurney, Littleton, Mann

Stonehouse Town Reserves: Sunter, Law, Spearey, Carmen, Smart, Bowen, Butler, Smith, Masson, Sims, Hill

Subs: Moore, Woodman, Vines, Pitt, Clutterbuck

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – James Stubbs (Gala Wilton)