Gloucester City Reserves in seventh heaven as they advance in the Gordon Perrett League Cup
Gloucester City Women Reserves advanced into the next round of the Gordon Perrett League Cup, with Hollie Handisides scoring four in their 7-0 win over Longwell Green Ladies.
The game at the TigerTurf Stadium was one of three ties to beat the freezing temperatures and it didn’t take long for City to make the early breakthrough.
Aimee Hancock’s long free kick down field was nodded into Hadisides’ path and she sent her effort over Reanna Nutland and into the top corner.
One soon became two when Handisides got away from her marker before being tripped in the area, giving the striker the chance to add her second from 12 yards – a task she duly obliged.
Alisha Kantorowicz burst through on 21 minutes and after rounding Nutland, the ball fell for Handisides to tap home her third.
At that point the scoreline was tough on Longwell, who had still been well in the contest at that point. Izzie Smart had hooked after over for the visitors, as they looked for a route back into the game.
The third goal saw City go for the kill, although Nutland did well to deny Handisides, before the forward hit the foot of the post with her follow up.
Dani Amal then produced a stunning block to keep out Handisides after she had once again, rounded the keeper.
But moments later, Handisides shrugged off a defender and slotted her effort past Nutland and in off the post to take her and her side’s tally to four.
Kantorowicz curled in a beautiful fifth just before half time, to leave the tie over as a contest.
The second half started with City going close to a sixth, with Zoe Gabb rifling an effort against the post – but from there the game fell into a lull and the half was fizzling out.
Hannah Clarke raced through on 65 minutes to make it 6-0 with a smart finish under Nutland, before Gabb added a spectacular seventh from range.
Both sides are without a game next weekend following cup re-arrangements, with City hosting a local derby against City of Gloucester Women and Longwell Green at home to Bristol Ladies Union, both games on Sunday 19 January.
Gloucester City Women Reserves: Hancock, Sterry, Leeman, Ireland, Kantorowicz, Day, Lewis, Gabb, Handisides, Clarke, Le Sueur
Subs: Robinson
Longwell Green Ladies: Nutland, Rothwell, R Jones, Smart, Williams, M Jones, E Marsh, Amal, Parry, L Jones, Booth
Subs: D Marsh, Horswell
C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Hollie Handisides (Gloucester City Women Reserves)
Elsewhere in the Gordon Perrett League cup, Longlevens Ladies were beaten 3-0 at home by Bristol & West, whilst Mangotsfield United Firsts beat their Reserves side 4-0 in the only other ties to take place.
Bishops Cleeve Ladies were awarded their tie against Forest Green Rovers Development after FGR Devs had folded.
In the Sue Henson-Green cup, Bishops Cleeve Ladies Development beat Bradley Stoke 2-0, with Winchcombe Town going down 3-1 at home to Downend Flyers A in the two ties to take place.
Cover photo taken and copyright Jamie Brain Photography. Visit his Instagram @jamiebrain_photography
