Gloucester City Women Reserves suffer first defeat of the season at the hands of rivals City of Gloucester Women
City of Gloucester Women ran out 3-1 winners against rivals Gloucester City at the TigerTurf Stadium on Sunday afternoon, writes Abi Harding.
A brace from Kacie Anderson and a goal from Kelly Adams for the visitors were enough to rule out Amelia Rankin’s strike.
The game started slowly, with neither side creating any chances.
That was until City of Gloucester opened the scoring on the half-an-hour mark with the first big chance of the game.
The visitors capitalised off a set-piece just outside the area, Adams on hand to poke the ball home after goalkeeper Aimee Hancock’s punch landed at her feet.
The first half soon petered out without any chances for either side, meaning City of Gloucester went into half-time with a one goal lead.
The second half started quickly and soon enough the visitors had doubled their lead.
Former Gloucester City player Anderson was played in behind the defence and slotted her effort cooly into the bottom left corner.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to get back into the game however, with young striker Rankin bringing the ball down and superbly finishing to halve the deficit.
Gloucester City’s comeback was short-lived though, as Anderson haunted her former side once again, scoring her second and the team’s third of the afternoon in a manor much like her first.
Both sides had further chances after the hour mark to add to their tally, however none were taken.
Gloucester City were throwing everything at it in the last 20 minutes, however, City of Gloucester dealt with all the pressure thrown at them and subsequently came away with all three points.
Despite the result, Gloucester City still remain firmly top of the table by nine points with a game in hand over second place, which is where City of Gloucester now sit.
The hosts will look to bounce back against Mangotsfield United Women Reserves next weekend, whilst City of Gloucester host Bristol Ladies Union First.
Gloucester City Women: Hancock, Sterry, C. Gabb, Leeman, Johnson, Feighery, C. Day, Clarke, Z. Gabb, Lewis, Ireland
Subs: Bury, Kantorowicz, O’Neil, Rankin
City of Gloucester Women: James, Mabanza, Norden, Taylor, Wilks, Vincent, Barker, Powell, Anderson, Adams, Owen
Subs: Smith, Summers, Strahan, Gardner, Ballinger
C Martin Roofing Player(s) of the Match – Kacie Anderson and Querene Mabanza (City of Gloucester Women)
