Premier Division
Pegasus Juniors 1 Gloucester United 4
Wednesday, 30 April 2003
The home side were forced to produce one of the team?s best performances of the season in order to compete with a Gloucester United team that contained ten players from Dr Martens side Gloucester City. Eight of these played for City in the FA Trophy quarter-final at Aylesbury United!
This game was decided by some clinical finishing by Andy Hoskins who claimed a hat trick from three goal scoring opportunities.
The opening quarter of an hour clearly highlighted the difference between the top half of the Dr Martens (Western Division) League and the lower reaches of the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League Premier Division as the visitors controlled the game with a combination of pace and directness that caused the home defence several anxious moments; however, as the half progressed Pegasus gradually clawed their way into the game and responded by playing the ball to feet. Lee Smith for the visitors was first to threaten the target when he unleashed a snap shot from inside the penalty box into the side netting. Pegasus replied with a vicious shot over the crossbar by Adriano Girolami. This was followed by a succession of three corner kicks for the home side the last was cleared by the visiting defence. The referee apparently viewed an infringement against Leigh Harris differently to the home supporters and players, Smith unperturbed at the situation scampered into the penalty box and was felled by Steve Aubrey as he attempted to make his tackle. Hoskins converted the spot kick on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: 0 - 1
After the interval, the reds immediately took the game to the opposition and Terry Green spun away from his marker and lobbed the ball onto the roof of the net. The same player latched onto a Girolami pass inside the penalty box but his goal bound shot was blocked by a defender. Ten minutes into the second half, Smith crossed from the left to the far post where Gary Marshall doubled the lead with a classic header. Pegasus were not down hearted as they continued to probe the resolute Gloucester defence Girolami was unlucky when he raced into the six yard box and saw his shot deflected off target for a corner kick. On the hour mark, Gloucester caught the Hereford side with a counter attack, Smith once again providing a quality cross that Hoskins crisply despatched past Matt Taylor in the home goal. Pegasus reduced the deficit when Taylor hit a free kick into the heart of opposition defence where Darren Jones cleverly looped a header over the head of advancing keeper Adam Bennett. Jones turned provider with a neat pass to Girolami who forced Bennett to produce a fine save at the expense of a corner kick. The keeper fumbled the resultant cross however Peter Wallace was unable to take advantage of the mistake. The keeper made further saves from Lewis Jones and Girolami before at the other end Mike Symonds was required to make an important tackle. Hoskins completed his hat trick with five minutes remaining to secure the points for the visitors with a flattering score line from a thoroughly entertaining game of football. Similar performances by both teams at the weekend should produce a much needed three points for both sides.
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