Saturday 1st February
Jubilee Stadium
3pm
National League North
Glen Taylor scored his 100thgoal for the club as Moors secured a hard fought three points in tough conditions at Gloucester.
Taylor, making his 200thappearance for the club, drilled in on the half hour mark before James Roberts netted on the verge of half-time.
A free kick from Lewis Brunt halved the deficit in the second half, but Moors ran out deserved winners.
The Spires and Hartwell Jubilee Stadium was the venue, Gloucester’s temporary home while their new ground undergoes construction, on a blustery afternoon in Evesham.
Jason Ainsley was unable to call upon Tyler Forbes due to illness, so Carl Magnay reverted back to right back after lining up in midfield during last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Leamington.
Jamie Chandler, who missed that game due to illness, slotted back in alongside Shane Henry.
After a scrappy and goal-kick laden opening six minutes, Moors created the game’s first chance when Rob Ramshaw flicked a header on to Taylor, but the striker’s effort fizzed just wide of the post.
Taylor, making his 200thappearance for the club, came close moments later when his attempted lob over Niall Maher fell just short.
Gloucester, heading into the game on the back of a 6-1 thrashing at Alfreton Town on Tuesday, should have taken the lead after fifteen minutes when the ball landed at the feet of Matthew McClure inside the area, but the striker’s shot was tame and easy for Matt Gould.
Both teams struggled to get to grips with the awkward conditions, with chances few and far between, however, James Roberts forced a save from Maher when he was played through by Taylor.
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The first half’s defining moment arrived shortly before the half-hour mark, and it also signalled a milestone moment for the prolific Taylor.
Lewis Butroid hung a free kick to the back post, and when a Moors head sent it back into the area, Taylor was able to take a touch before firing a shot past the helpless Maher, registering his 100thgoal in his 200thappearance for the club.
Moors took charge of proceedings from that moment onwards and were denied a second goal when Gloucester captain Liam Daly cleared Ramshaw’s shot off the line after the midfielder exchanged passes with Roberts.
But there was nothing Daly or his teammates could do to prevent Moors’ second of the game right on the stroke of half-time.
Ben McKenna was the architect, weaving his way down the left before finding Roberts in the area. After his initial effort was blocked, the ball fell kindly to the striker who buried at the second attempt.
The home side emerged from the interval a team transformed and were a greater threat after the introduction of Brad Jackson, and he won the free kick on the edge of the area as Gloucester halved the deficit.
Lewis Brunt was the goal scorer, curling the set-piece around the wall and past Gould via a slight deflection.
But Moors always looked a threat against a porous Gloucester defence, and the two-goal cushion was almost restored when Shane Henry’s near post header was cleared off the line, before Taylor struck a volley over the bar.
Despite an improved showing in the second half, Moors always looked a threat and were denied by an excellent last-ditch block by Nathan Thomas after Ramshaw drove towards goal.
The home faithful were incensed when the referee waved away a huge penalty appeal with minutes to go, before Jason Kennedy almost opened his Moors account on his debut with an acrobatic effort.
JASON AINSLEYMANAGER Read More
“The conditions were terrible with the wind, but today was all about the win and the three points, even though we began the second half poorly.”
Subs
12. Mason, 14. Anderson, 15. Kennedy, 16. Boyes, 17. Cogdon
Subs
12. Jackson, 14. Hainhalt, 15. Johnstone, 16. Ebbutt
Roberts worked tirelessly as Moors secured a vital win. The striker was alert to claim his goal as he hammered home at the second attempt, cementing his growing importance in the Moors line-up.
Moors are now 8th in the National League North, level on points with Gateshead and Altrincham on 44 points. Moors face 5th place Brackley Town next Saturday at The Brewery Field.
