De Cymru & The Marches 2

Wotton-under-Edge 2nds 3 Gloucester City A 1

EXPERIENCE, passing style and fitness produced a win for Wotton-under-Edge over local rivals Gloucester.

Following their impressive opening day victory away at Whitchurch, Wotton’s seconds hosted Gloucester City’s seconds in a hotly anticipated local derby.

After last week’s win, one could be forgiven for thinking victory would be a formality for Wotton. Perhaps this was an excuse for their players too, as the game started poorly.

Wotton, whilst trying to enforce their more technical passing style, played at a low tempo in the opening minutes, whereas Gloucester employed a more direct style.

The deadlock was broken by Gloucester, who produced a well worked short corner routine which left keeper Charlie Thomas watching hopelessly as the ball hit the backboard.

Perhaps this was the wake-up call required, as Wotton now started to move the ball more quickly and create problems for Gloucester’s previously untroubled defence. The equaliser came with a moment of magic from Seb Culpepper. His skilful spin and shot left both goalkeeper and defenders confused.

At one all, Wotton had finally started to hit their straps and the last 10 minutes of the first half saw them build some good momentum, moving the ball around the pitch seamlessly and leaving Gloucester visibly tiring.

At half time, the result was still in the balance with both teams having reason for optimism from first half play. But it was Wotton’s passing style that came good in the end, with a tired Gloucester now starting to leave gaps for the attack of Darren Pearce, Sam Willcox and Andy Stockley to find space.

After a spell of possession, Wotton were awarded a short corner and this was where they finally took the lead. A shot from Chris Price was tipped on to the bar by the ‘keeper but Willcox was at hand to volley home the rebound emphatically.

Another short soon followed, this time it was James Bull’s turn to show his experience: A new short corner routine saw the ball slipped to him and he made no mistake, smashing the ball into the corner of the goal.

Whilst it could appear that the attack won this for Wotton, make no mistake the difference was Wotton’s defence. The quartet of Jago Cropper, Leo Murray-Davey, Tom Rees and Jon Shovelton kept every Gloucester counter-attack at bay and limited them to half chances, whilst providing the platform on which Wotton built their attacks. Rees was deservedly awarded Man of the Match, being the stand out performer in this solid defensive unit.

All in all, a solid win for Wotton’s seconds and another three points.

Wotton travel to Stroud this week for another local derby.