Report: City 0-1 Brackley Town

Gloucester City fell to a defeat against promotion chasing Brackley Town, putting the visitors one step closer to the title.

17 minutes into the game saw Lucas Tomlinson with the first effort on goal. The midfielder let rip from 25 yards out. With his shot being tipped over from going into the top left corner following a clearance.

Six minutes later City were pressuring the Brackley defence again. A cross from Tomlinson on the right found Matt Green who tried a bicycle kick from inside the penalty areas but a great save from Danny Lewis prevented the ball from finding the net and going out for a corner.

But in the 27th minute, Brackley took the lead against the run of play. After a scrappy affair in the penalty area, the ball eventually fell to Wes York who unleashed a powerful drive into the bottom left corner to put the visitors in front.

Two minutes later they went up the pitch again. Lee Ndlovu found his way into the six-yard box and striking the ball off the underside of the bar but couldn’t get the ball over the line.

City went on an attack two minutes after the re start. Louis Hall’s overlapping run on the right flank led to a beautiful cross from the on-loan Newport County man. This was met by Ollie Hulbert who’s first time volley was off target.

The second half began with a Brackley Town attack. A cross from the right hand was met by York who forced Cole into action tipping the ball away from his right-hand post seven minutes into the second half.

Brackley were creating more chances throughout the second half but couldn’t beat Jake Cole who looked unbeatable in the Gloucester City net to keep the score at 1-0. The City fans were in fine voice looking for them to get a foot hold in the second half.

Green tried and ambitious effort from 30 yards out to get Gloucester back into the game but fired it over the bar.

It was all Brackley Town throughout the second half. Nine minutes to go until the final whistle City were creating chances, Max Sheaf’s powerful drove from 25 yards out was deflected and narrowly missed the bottom left-hand corner.

City added more pressure on the Brackley defence two minutes from time. Ben Nugent coming close to finding the goal but a Brackley body was in the way to deny him.

In the 90th minute, of five added time, City were awarded a free kick on the right flank. O’Sullivan’s teasing cross into the area found the head of Bernard Mensah who headed the ball over.

City kept up their pressure winning set pieces to try and find an equaliser, but they couldn’t find one with Brackley winning by a single goal and seeing the game out towards the end.