City Roar back to winning ways

Gloucester City got back to winning ways at the TigerTuf Stadium on Tuesday night after a flawless 3-0 victory over Curzon Ashton gave them a huge boost in their hunt for National League North survival.

Captain Joe Hanks set City on their way to three points after he nodded in an Alefe Santos cross ten minutes into the first half, to gift his side the lead and in doing so, added his fourth of the season.

It was all one-way traffic in the second half, and Danny Wright made it 2-0, 20 minutes from time as he cooly slotted a first-time volley with his in-step beyond Ashton keeper Cam Mason.

The win was put beyond any doubt just a few minutes later as Alefe Santos capped off a wonderful individual display by grabbing his first for the club as he tapped in from a couple of yards out after a ball was cut back to him by Harry Emmett. The win was a first against The Nash, at home, since 2016.

It was a huge night for Mike Cook’s men who needed a response to Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Darlington, and they looked settled and dominant right from the first whistle. Cook’s men were relatively troubled, with Zac Jeacock only being required into a handful of saves, although the win was never in doubt.

Harry Pinchard was awarded the Player of the Match for another spectacular performance in the heart of midfield and his assist for Wright’s goal was simply wonderful. A lofted cross from deep which dropped perfectly to the number nine who made it two goals in a week.

City now sit 22nd in the National League North table and four points from safety with a game in hand on King’s Lynn and Rushall Olympic with the next game being a tough away trip to Farsley Celtic, before a double header against local rivals Hereford across the Christmas and New Year period.