Champions continue unbeaten run as City Women beat Downend Flyers

Gloucester City took all three points and remain unbeaten this season after a 6-0 win over Downend Flyers at the Tigerturf Stadium, writes Abi Harding.

Goals from Sachi Kaneko-Grun, Laina Warren, Paige Todd, Sophia Gomez and Taite Scheafer as well as an own goal secured the win over the Bristol-based side.

The hosts opened the scoring within the first five minutes of the game from a corner, Kaneko-Grun deemed to get the last touch on the ball as it rolled into the net following a goal-line scramble.

The lead was then doubled just 12 minutes later, Warren beating Downend keeper Aimee Glover to a bouncing ball before finishing into the top-right hand corner from range.

It then became 3-0 before the 20-minute mark, Todd getting in on the action, beating her man for pace on the left-hand side before slotting calmly to put City in a comfortable position.

The first penalty of the afternoon came courtesy of Mirry Smith, who was brought down from behind in the area.

However, Lauren Peck couldn’t convert, her effort clattering off the left post.

An own goal on the half an hour mark made it four and it would’ve been five before the break if not for an offside flag.

The first half finished 4-0 to the hosts.

Visit https://www.facebook.com/mortgageadvicegloucestershire for your financial planning needs

Much like the first, City hit Downend for five just seven minutes after the restart, Gomez running in behind before converting over the head of Glover, who got a hand to the effort.

The visitors then had a penalty of their own, and a chance to claw one back, after Gloucester City keeper Sam Linteo fouled Nerys Akers inside the penalty area.

Alice Baker stepped up to take it for Downend, however, her low drilled effort into the bottom corner was saved by Linteo.

Just two minutes later, a third penalty of the game was awarded, this time back in City’s favour, with Scheafer brought down in the box.

She stepped up, and this time, was able to convert from 12 yards, her effort coming off the inside right-post and into the net.

The game fizzled out from there until full time, with City winning 6-0 again, like they did in the reverse fixture not too long ago against the same opponents.

City host Royal Wootton Bassett Town next Sunday, whilst Downend host St Vallier Ladies as the season nears it’s close.

Gloucester City: Linteo, Skibinski, Neall, M. Smith, Kaneko-Grun, Peck, Todd, Stitcher, Grey, Warren, Davis

Subs: Scheafer, Gomez, Lasmarias, Hudson-Clements, Randhawa

Downend Flyers: Glover, Montgomery, Watkins, Biggs, Trowbridge, Firman, Baker, Giles, Moore, G. Smith, Akers

Subs: Sargent, West, Lester, Chilcott

C Martin Roofing Player(s) of the Match – Paige Todd and Mollie Skibinski (Gloucester City Women)