Longlevens Ladies end season with win over Gloucester City Women Development

Longlevens Ladies ended their successful 2023/24 season with a convincing 3-0 win away at Gloucester City Women Development.

After Hayley Pitt’s strike had the visitors ahead at the break, second half headers from Lucy Dannatt and Ashleigh Lloyd saw the GCWFL Division Two Champions round off their campaign with all three points.

For City, they ended the season 8 points behind the leaders – having lost home and away to Longlevens. There was a feeling that the defeat at home to Bristol Ladies Union back in February proved fairly costly as well.

But both sides have had a good season, with City Devs waiting on news of a potential reshuffle of the leagues which could lead to a promotion into Division One, alongside Longlevens.

The game started with both sides exchanging efforts. Nicole Lewis fired over for the hosts, whilst Sarah Burford picked out Mel Hoad, but she could only shoot at Aimee Hancock.

Lewis went close again moments later, but her effort was saved well by Skye Chamberlain.

Longlevens took the lead on 12 minutes, as Pitt played a neat one two with Olivia Kosylowicz, before placing an effort into the bottom corner.

Mirry Smith and Sarah Burford then exchanged off target strikes for the two teams, who were evenly matched for most of the first half.

Pitt should have doubled her tally for the afternoon in first half stoppage time, but after her first effort forced Hancock into a good save, the striker sent her follow up.

A slow second half didn’t see too much goalmouth action, with the first chance of note coming after the hour mark.

Hoad curled in a corner and skipper Lucy Dannatt nodded past Hancock to give her side a two goal cushion.

Moments later, Chamberlain produced a superb save to palm a Mirry Smith free kick out for a corner, before Smith skied an effort after getting played through on goal.

Kate Ambrey also sent an effort over the bar, but was under extreme pressure to get her shot off.

And in stoppage time, another Hoad corner was headed home – this time by centre half Ashleigh Lloyd and the Champions secured their 18th win out of their 20 league matches.

Gloucester City Women Development: Hancock, Bury, Leeman, Gabb, Sterry, Chloe Day, Smith, Ireland, Lewis, Morgan, M Prout

Subs: J Prout, Chelsea Day, K Day, Ambrey

Longlevens Ladies: Chamberlain, Valenzuela, L Smith, Lloyd, Martin, Poole, Dannatt, Burford, Kosylowicz, Hoad, Pitt

Subs: J Smith, Talbot, Chant, Yates