Match Report - Gower 1s vs Northern Athletic

Gower 1's- 1 Northern Athletic- 1

Gower 1s took on a Premier division side, Northern Athletic (NA) at Regents Park. Unlike the previous week, Gowers were slow off the blocks, allowing NA to pass the ball round and dominate the first 10 mins. Soon enough, Gowers got in their stride, stimulated by some good old traditional hard tackling, headers and winning of the ball, which enabled Gower to gain possession and start playing the ball around.

For the next 20-30 mins, Gowers really turned it on. Shifting the ball down the channels, both left and right, enabling Medley upfront to get in lethal one on one situations with his marker, which he dominated, but didn’t finish off. Early on, a fine cross from Durrant, found Klinger in space who volleyed acrobatically and powerfully but wide. Some quality understanding, communication and sound defending from the back four, built the foundation for more good Gower play, particularly in a move down the right, a burst and cross from Selbie which found Flesch free at the far post, only for their defender to block Fleschy’s goal-bound volley with his hand – which predictably (with Tony refereeing) wasn’t given.

0-0 half-time and we knew the game was there for the taking…if we kept up that intensity and good play.

We began as we left off, creating good chances through Medley again, and some excellent corners from Flesch – which was supported superbly by Ossack’s reading of the game at centre-back, sweeping up like it should be done. But, attacking-wise, whilst we were mostly playing the way we wanted to, it just seemed that it may well be one of those days again. Touches, passes and shots weren’t always at their best, and it was a case of missing by inches here and there. Highlighted by an excellent “cross-pitch” run by Medley, who slotted a perfect pass between full back and centre back, for Fleschy who 9 times out of 10, would have bent it round the keeper, but this time, hit it too near the keeper and it wasn’t to be….

Nevertheless we persisted and eventually, after a fine run by Durrant, cutting inside and taking on his defender in the box, he was classically fouled and won a penalty.

Up steps the top goal scorer, Medley, only for Tony the ref to again be pedantic and move the ball 3 times, 3 millimetres to the left (because it wasn’t on the spot), which may well have put Medley off – and surprise surprise the penalty was well saved.

Frustrating wasn’t the word.

Gower spirit, in fact Gower Power I think it was….and only a few minutes later, Medley had probably his weakest shot of the game, only for it to creep threw the goalkeepers legs and into the side netting.

1-0 to Gower.

Keep the ball. That was all Gower needed to do for the remaining 15 mins.

And we did so, quite decently….

For 90 seconds.

Until a hoof forward by NA was flicked on perfectly by their striker to the feet of their other striker who was in a very dodgy off-side position but in plenty of space, and he had time to slot it past O Hagan in goal, and in off the post.

Their one and only shot on target of the entire game.

Sickness.

But that’s football, you switch off for 30 seconds and…

Anyhow, Gowers battled hard for the winner, in the final 10 mins – a diving header from Glyn was cleared off the line, and in the dying seconds, Duggan rose, called for it (cup final stylee) only for his free header to whiz past the junction of the bar/post.

1-1 it finished (and 1 point each in our 4-team cup group stage)

Such a frustrating game, especially because the defence played so well, giving Dan O Hagan a largely hassle-free day, and the fact that we created so many opportunities to score, but didn’t put them away.

There are however plenty of positives to take from the game.

We outplayed, outbattled, and outperformed a Premier division side. Our defence was solid as. And our attacking play was mostly dangerous and threatening. All good foundations to build.

Bottom line, we continue to play like this, we will win this league. We just have to be patient and the goals will come. Remember Gower Power.


Man of the Match = Dave Ossack – flawless performance at Centre-back, unbeatable and taught the Captain how to defend.

Well done all.

Next week - away at BVH – traditionally a very very nasty game. Last time 2 red cards. Bring it on…..