Gloucester City Women Reserves pick up where they left off with opening day rout
Gloucester City Women Reserves got their 2024/25 season off to a flyer, putting Longwell Green to the sword and running out 11-0 winners.
After missing out in the GCWFL Division Two title race to Longlevens last season, there was an expectation that City’s Reserves would also be promoted into Division One – a promotion that didn’t come to fruition following two relegations into the league from the regional leagues.
But City shook off that disappointment to continue their fine from from last term, starting fast and taking the lead on 4 minutes.
Longwell Green played a high defensive line and after catching City a number of times in the early exchanges, Michaela Major broke free to slot home.
New signing Ellie Briscoe burst through on goal two minutes later, but she was denied by Reanna Nutland – as as Major again moments later.
Major got hers and her side’s second on 20 minutes, lofting her effort over Nutland, having been picked out by Claire Gabb’s ball forward.
City Reserves’ skipper Nicole Lewis opened her account for the season just after the half hour mark, getting in behind down the right, before blasting into the top corner.
Zoe Gabb was having a particularly eye-catching opening half and she grabbed a goal of her own, holding off a now out on pitch, Nutland, before slotting home.
City would go on to lead 6-0 at the break, following another effort from Lewis and an opening weekend effort for Ellie Bidhendy – who saw her effort too hot for Rebecca Jones to handle.
The second half started a little slower for the hosts, but two goals in as many minutes settled them back down.
Mirry Smith stepped up to curl a free kick into the top corner after Zoe Gabb had clipped the crossbar with a free kick of her own moments prior, before Gabb played a delightful flick into the path of Briscoe, who grabbed a deserved goal on the day.
Meg Sterry went close to adding a ninth for City, before Michaela Major scored two more in a five minute spell having come back onto the pitch.
Credit the hosts, even at 10-0 they still went in search for more, with Longwell tiring in the closing stages.
Smith added her second and sealed a good result in style, spotting the keeper off her line and lobbing home from the best part of 40 yards.
It was an impressive performance from City Res, with defenders Rubie Leeman and Claire Gabb really stand-out as they looked to bring the ball out from the back and allowed City to play some really nice football.
Next up for Gloucester City Women Reserves is a trip to Bristol Ladies Union next weekend, whilst Longwell Green host a Mangotsfield United Women Reserves side who will be looking to bounce back from a heavy opening weekend defeat themselves.
Mangotsfield were beaten 9-1 by a Bitton Ladies Reserves side who will be expected to be fighting for the Division Two title themselves.
Gloucester City Women Reserves: Ambrey, Bury, Leeman, C Gabb, Sterry, Smith, Briscoe, Bidhendy, Major, Z Gabb, Lewis
Subs: Day, Tandy, Feighery
Longwell Green Sport Ladies: Nutland, R Jones, Rothwell, Howland, Smart, M Jones, Arnal, Williams, Vassell, Booth, Smith
Subs: L Jones, Marsh, Horswell, Jackson
C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Rubie Leeman (Gloucester City Women Reserves)
