By Elliott Yates
City’s goal drought continues after a 1-0 defeat to Southport on Saturday courtesy of a goal from Connor Woods which was enough to secure the three points for the visitors, making it 13 games unbeaten in the league so far for them.
Both teams were trying to figure each other out in the early stages, and it took 15 minutes for the first chance to arise. Gloucester City’s captain Kevin Dawson had the first chance of the match unleashing an effort from 25 yards out, but the ball dragged wide of the goal. Six minutes later Southport had their first chance when Jordan Archer went through the defence and shot from a difficult angle to force a save from Cole at his near post.
But Southport would open the scoring in the in the 27th minute through Connor Woods. Doug Thrame’s long throw caused problems for the City defence. The ball fell to Woods who tried an acrobatic effort on the volley, and it flew past Cole and into the top left corner in remarkable style. Putting the visitors in front.
City kept pressing. In the 35th minute Ben Nugent met a Tommy O’Sullivan corner and his header went just over the crossbar. Two minutes later City got a free kick on the edge of the box, 25 yards out. O’Sullivan’s curling effort tested goalkeeper Mason who palmed the ball out to safety preventing it from finding the top left corner.
In the second half Southport had the chance to go 2-0 up in the 57th minute. Dylan Vassallo went through one on one against the goalkeeper, but Jake Cole came rushing out to put him off and hit the side netting from inside the penalty box.
City had the majority of possession in the second period, O’Sullivan tried an effort from outside the area, but his shot went well wide of Mason’s right hand post for City’s first chance of the half.
Southport continued to press the Gloucester City backline. A ball into the area was punched away by Cole who came off his line to clear. The ball fell to Archer who’s shot was then fired over the bar.
City had another chance one minute later as substitute Lucas Tomlinson found his way into the penalty area after controlling the ball on his chest. He brought the ball down onto his left foot and took a shot which fired over the bar.
Things got worse for Gloucester City as captain Dawson was dismissed with nine minutes to go following a late challenge and it was an uphill challenge from then for City.
Southport had a chance to kill the game off in the last minute through Archer who’s shot was fired over the bar and narrowly missed the top corner from outside the area, but they took all three points.
City face Hereford away on Tuesday night looking to put things right.