vs Gloucester Arms

Devonshire Arms Line up:
GK: Jeff Udoh
RB: Simon Testro
CB: Mike Davis
CB: David Brooks
LB: Trevor Marsh
CM: Isaac Okyere
CM: Richie Fenn
RM: Johnny Scotland
LM: Nick Hurd
CF: Jason Williams
CF: Steven Hall
Subs: Dan Fisk, Matthew Knights

This was an eagerly anticipated meeting, particularly by Gloucester who felt they had been robbed by the Devy in a pre season friendly, in which the Devonshire ran out 3-1 winners, Gloucester Arms were one of the top sides in the division and bearing in mind they had a premiership footballer as their manager, it wasn't going to be easy. The Devy were without the injured Andy and the suspended Terry Hall.

The game started evenly enough with both sides having a fair share of the possession, but it wasn't to be long before Gloucester would take the lead, a quick corner was met at the near post and nodded home, 1-0 Gloucester.

Gloucester had taken the lead and it wasn't long before they increased their advantage, the ever dangerous Jamie latched onto a through ball and placed the ball past Jeff, a good strike and there was little the keeper or defence could do about it. 2-0 Gloucester.

The game was looking to get out of control for the Devonshire, the ball was being played past Isaac and Richie in the middle as if they weren't there, the Gloucester were very organised and always seemed to have passed available, this was going to be a big ask if the Devy were going to get anything out of this game, and it was about to become an even bigger ask, Brooks found himself stranded with both strikers, Jamie again got the ball and hit it from the edge of the area, past the diving Jeff, 3-0 Gloucester.

Oh dear.

The Devy weren't without the occasional break forward, and it was one such break that would give them a glimmer of hope leading up to half time, a good through ball saw Richie one on one with the keeper, his first shot struck the keeper but fortunately bounced back to him, no mistake the second time around, Richie tucked it away neatly. 3-1 Gloucester.

Then came a double whammy for the Devy, not only did they lose their influential right winger, Johnny Scotland to what looked like a serious ankle injury, but they also lost another goal, a cross swung in from the right saw Jamie again head towards goal, the ball struck Richie on what appeared to be his hand, but deflected into the net, an unfortunate goal to concede but at this level they all count. 4-1 Gloucester.

Dan replaced the unfortunate Johnny and immediately went up front, Jason moved back to his normal position, right wing,

Half time

A good team talk at half time focused on the Devy getting the simple things right, there would have to be more communication and a better understanding of where people were supposed to be playing, we had to learn to walk (again) before we could run.

It wasn't long before Gloucester increased there lead even further, mistakes were being made all over the pitch and a good passing move by Gloucester resulted in the fifth of what was looking like it could become a cricket score as opposed to a football one. 5-1 Gloucester.

The Devy were creating very little, opportunities weren't coming there way, the ball was being played straight down the middle at height every time, totally ignoring the wingers Nick and J, Devy would have to learn to play a different style if they were to compete.

The sixth wasn't long in coming, a long throw into the box saw Mike head the ball against his own post, deceiving Jeff in goal and presenting the grateful attacker with a tap in, it was a goal anyone could have scored,
6-1 Gloucester.

The seventh was soon to follow, a good run from midfield saw the midfielder through on goal, Mike went for the challenge and caught him down, penalty........... No mistake made, 7-1 Gloucester.

In the aftermath Mike was injured and Matty replaced him.

With the game all but over the Gloucester added an eighth late on, I can't remember it, if anyone can then feel free to let me know, 8-1 Gloucester.

If the Devonshire are to have any kind of season it's the simple things that have to change, communication and people wanting the ball more, this performance even though against the top side, was simply not good enough.

Final Score - Devonshire Arms 1 - 8 Gloucester Arms

To report a correction of information or to send any comments or reports please email info@devonshirearmsfc.co.uk