Promising signs as pre-season battle with Oxford City ends in draw

Gloucester City were held to a draw last night by National League North side Oxford City in what was a good test for both sides respectively.

The Tigers started the game quickly and inside five minutes Joe Hanks struck the crossbar with a fierce effort that had the oppositions goalkeeper well beaten.

Oxford City grew into the game as time went on and after picking the pocket of the City midfield with some intricate football, Tom Scott slotted the ball cooly past Jared Thompson, to put the visitors one-up after 10 minutes of play.

The Tigers continued to play how they did prior to the setback, pressurising the Oxford backline playing possession based attacking football and eventually the equaliser came.

Dylan Jones found himself with the ball at his feet up the right-flank, the wingback crossed the ball to the back post and Harry Emmett, who served the ball on a plate to Hanks making no mistake in tucking the chance away from six-yards.

City came close to scoring another in the final moment of the first-half, Harry Pinchard overhitting his volley just over the crossbar in what was a great chance to go in at the halfway point ahead.

The second-half began and it was a similar story, the visitors happy to sit back and soak up the City pressure whilst Daf Williams' side try and pick the oppositions lock.

Both sides were giving all they could to try and get a winner but after plenty of changes and some chances given to the youth of both clubs, the game petered out and ended a draw.

Manager Daf Williams said: "Really pleased, I see a lot more components of what we are working on tonight, the lads are working really hard at replicating what we wat to look like and what I have shown them in training. For the best part of an hour we were excellent against a real top side who play in the league above, so I am delighted."

Our next game is Worcester City at home, on the 26th July, tickets available here.