Leamington 0-1 Gloucester City
City come out on top in a hard-fought battle with a 1-0 victory over Leamington at the New Windmill Ground, writes Ben Nugent.
A Ben Gerring header from a corner was the difference ensuring City took all three points in treacherous conditions.
Danny King came back into the team after his loan spell with Nuneaton and had the first real opportunity when the ball fell to him inside the Leamington box and he connected well on the volley bringing out a good save from Jake Weaver.
The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when a superb corner from Tommy O’Sullivan found Gerring unmarked at the front post to head home.
A scrappy game with no real chances, Leamington’s Dan Turner found himself 12 yards out and fired a shot at goal which was blocked by the City defence.
City came out the blocks fast in second half and a Kevin Dawson free kick was curled into a beautiful area with a Red Shirt unable to get on the end of it.
In the 58th minute, a hopeful long ball from City was chased down by Hulbert causing confusion between Jack Lane and the on rushing Weaver. Hulbert came out with the ball and put a cross into the area with an empty gaping, but the Leamington defence recovered well to clear.
City’s goal scorer Gerring came off in the 67th minute being replaced by young defender Jordon Thompson.
In the 73rd minute Junior Lewis flicked on a free kick which Kelsey Mooney latched onto in the six-yard box only for City shot stopper Jake Cole to pull off a sublime save.
Max Sheaf replaced Bernard Mensah in the 80th minute for what was the start of a bombardment of long balls into the City defensive third.
Every player stood up to the task with the final chance for Leamington coming in the 89th minute which produced a superb headed clearance from Thompson.
City start the year in great fashion with a magnificent away performance and Lee Mansell’s men will look to continue their good form with another win when they welcome Boston United to Meadow Park this Saturday.
Gloucester City: Cole, Galvin, Nugent, Gerring (67 Thompson), Leadbitter, O’Sullivan, Dawson, Mensah(82 Sheaf), King, Hulbert, McClure
Unused Subs: Armstrong, Young, Noel-Williams
Leamington: Weaver, Mace, Morrison, lane, Morley, Meredith, Wilding, Parker(76 Cook), Andrews(64 English), Turner(71 Kelly-Evans), Mooney
Unused Subs: Anderson, Sang
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