Tuffley suffer defeat to Roman Glass despite late flurry
Two late goals in two minutes were not enough for Tuffley Rovers, as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of league leaders Roman Glass St George.
Goals were Gino Valenti and Harley Mustoe set up a grandstand finish after the visitors punished their hosts for a poor start earlier in the piece, before adding a third with three minutes remaining.
The result sees Rovers slip to back-to-back defeats as their search for consistency continues, whilst it moved the visitors top on goal difference after Droitwich Spa were held to a draw at Cinderford Town.
Both are back in league action next weekend, with Roman Glass hosting Hereford Pegasus, whilst Tuffley Rovers head to Mangotsfield United.
Saturday’s game saw Roman Glass break the deadlock inside three minutes when Connor Hartley was afforded too much time outside the box and he fired into the top corner, leaving stand-in keeper Robin Hoffland no chance.
Moments later, it should have been two, as Laurent Wilson took advantage of a Sam Kelly slip to beat Ellis Clifford to the ball but he could only poke his effort wide as Macaulay Herbert tried to make a recovery challenge.
Kieran Alder had Rovers’ first chance on 11 minutes, but saw his effort saved by Rob Brown, with Corey Warrington dragging the follow up wide.
And Roman Glass would punish that miss minutes later as Harley Mustoe was dispossessed on the edge of the Tuffley box and as Jennison Myrie-Williams squared for Nathan Hall, Callum McLean diverted the ball into the bottom corner as he slid in.
Rovers were shell-shocked as their mistakes were being punished and they nearly fell further behind, but Hall’s cross in from the right saw Wilson’s effort deflected over for a corner.
But credit to Neil Mustoe’s side, whilst Roman Glass had the majority of the ball, the hosts carved out a number of great opportunities in the final 15 minutes of the first half.
First, Karnell Chambers cut back into the box, but Corey Warrington’s goalbound effort was blocked by Myrie-Williams.
Then, Chambers burst onto a through ball and saw his effort turned onto the post by Brown – with the ball rebounding back to the keeper.
Within seconds, Kieran Alder thundered an effort past Brown, but once again the post stopped Tuffley from reducing the deficit.
Roman Glass should have killed the contest within 90 seconds of the restart as a neat move from the visitors ended with Wilson scuffing straight at Hoffland when played in on goal.
Reece Hedges headed over from a Jordan Williams Cross as they looked for the crucial third goal and were left furious when Wilson appeared to be pulled down in the box by Chambers, but no penalty was given.
As the half wore on it felt like the game was going to fizzle out, with the visitors having enough control to be comfortable.
Wilson nearly added his name to the scoresheet when he found himself in on goal again – but Hoffland produced a stunning save as he threw out a glove to keep out the forward.
Hoffland denied Wilson again with just under five minutes remaining, saving well with his feet after Wilson played a neat one two into the box.
And that started a crazy four minute spell that generated three more goals.
First Williams crossed from the left and substitute Owen Punselie guided the ball beyond Hoffland, before Gino Valenti came off the bench to turn home with his first touch.
And as half-hearted questions were echoing on the side lines, Tuffley had hope when Harley Mustoe rifled one into the top corner from 20 yards.
But in the end, Tuffley’s only real chance of a leveller came when Warrington slid the ball through for Jamie Creed, who fired in from the right side of the box – but Brown held on.
Plenty of positives for both, but the visitors take the points.
Tuffley Rovers: Hoffland, McLean, Clifford, Herbert, Kelly, McGuirk, Warrington, Mustoe, Chambers, Alder, Walters
Subs: Lynden, Creed, Valenti, Simpson, Venna
Roman Glass St George: Brown, Spiller, Ward, Boorman, Tierney, Hedges, Hartley, Myrie-Williams, Hall, Wilson, Williams
Subs: Kearney, Punselle, McClennan, Malpas, Egan
C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Corey Warrington (Tuffley Rovers)
READ MORE: Check out the list of Saturday’s results in and around Gloucestershire right here
