Simpson on target again as Gloucester City close the gap

Kane Simpson scored his fifth goal since moving to Gloucester City, as the Tigers reduced the gap at the top of the table to two points, with a 2-0 win over Chertsey Town.

Ahead of the game, City were four points behind Southern League Premier Division leaders Walton & Hersham having played a game more, but a crucial three points as Walton slipped up against Hungerford Town has reduced the deficit to two points.

The goals came following a goalless first half, but Sion Spence’s header and Simpson’s blasted effort saw City race to a 2-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes of the second half.

And with City set for another big home game on Tuesday night, when Farnham Town visit the KMM Energy Stadium, Daf Williams was able to rest a number of players – including the two scorers for the final 20-25 minutes.

The game itself saw City create a number of good opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

Ben Richards-Everton won a number of first balls in the Chertsey box, as the hosts looked dangerous from set plays.

Simpson nearly scored with a rebound on 9 minutes, as he chased a back pass and Chertsey keeper Luke Roberts rushed out to clear – the ball ricocheted off the striker and flew agonisingly wide.

The former Taunton striker turned well moments later, before flashing an effort wide of the far post.

A lot of City’s play came down the left, with Marcus Day and Harry Emmett combining well on a number of occasions.

Elis Watts had an effort turned round the post by Roberts, before a corner was nodded down by Richards-Everton but cleared from the six yard box.

Watts cut infield before letting fly from 30 yards, but his effort caught a slight deflection and went out for a corner.

Marcus Day curled over as the hosts continue to create chances, but ultimately they had to wait until four minutes after the restart to go ahead.

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The opener came when Day’s cross from the left was headed beautifully into the top corner by Spence.

And after Darryl Harrison volleyed over for Chertsey, Harry Pinchard slipped a ball through to Simpson who emphatically fired in and off the crossbar from the right side of the box.

Spence and Simpson were replaced by King Baidoo and Joe Hanks and the latter had two glorious chances to seal the deal, but first scooped over after being picked out by Day’s cut back.

Hanks then got through one on one and from a similar position that Simpson scored from, Hanks blazed over.

From there the hosts saw out and manged the game well enough and will be full of confidence as they put their unbeaten home record up against Farnham’s unbeaten away record in the Southern League Premier South this season, on Tuesday night.

Gloucester City: Thompson, Jones, O’Regan, Williams, Spence, Watts, Richards-Everton, Day, Emmett, Pinchard, Simpson

Subs: Leadbitter, Roberts, Hanks, Baidoo, Obieri

Chertsey Town: Roberts, Olorunfemi, Fisher, Harrison, Casey, Wilson, Lodge, Mazzone, Lee, McCoy, Ridley

Subs: Birch, Montague, Wiltshire, Abisogun, Berry

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Marcus Day (Gloucester City)