CITY vs. Worcester City  

A strange game this. A local derby where the home side win but know it's not enough to bring safety. Banter between the two sets of fans, but we know most of the Worcester lot will miss short trips down the motorway next season, we give them stick but they know we're still gutted.  

The match had started in familiar fashion for the Gloucester fans. The defence looked thoroughly porous as Worcester waltzed through. Gannas made a good save from their first attack, but then flapped at a free kick, Gannaway palmed the ball out without any conviction, and Thomas twisted to put the ball past him to give Worcester an early lead.

What City fans mightn't have been expecting though was an instant response from their team. It was good work as well, with Baylo and Wayne Thorne working the ball down the left flank, with Baylo's low cross being turned in at the far post by Mike Wyatt. Stranger things were to happen only minutes later as a deep curling Wyatt free kick was met with a Karl Bayliss header to give City a lead. 

That proved to be something of an end to the game for Gloucester. Worcester began to demonstrate their greater physical strength and steam rollered their way through the midfield. City fought a brave rearguard action though, with the defence standing firm with a mixture of luck and judgement. Gannaway made an excellent diving stop, and rode his luck as two further shots screamed narrowly wide.

By the second half the pattern of the game was set and Worcester continued to batter away at the Gloucester defence but had no joy. Niblett was a tower of strength, and for once showed some leadership towards the younger defenders around him. Bayliss also played an important part in defending from the front, holding the ball up as everyone else was drawn back to help out in the City penalty area. 

For all that the defence did well the win was largely due to Gannaway who performed heroics in the Gloucester goal. He had ample chance to remind his critics that for all his uncertainty with crosses he is a consistent shot stopper. Gannas also did well coming out and saving at the feet of the waves of onrushing forwards queuing up to run at him. Gloucester did have their chances too, but they were limited to break away attacks. Wyatt put the ball in the net, but the flag had long been up for offside. The Worcester keeper did his best to reduce the tension by missing a back pass, but the ball rolled just wide of the post.

Gloucester held on for the win, but while the result is great for regaining a little battered pride the results elsewhere leave City on the brink of the drop.