Gloucester Soccer Club's men's team, sponsored by Gloucester Soldiers Club, travelled to Lansdowne on Saturday March 30 for their first game of the season against 2018 Champions Old Bar Barbarians.
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With much-wanted rain falling in Gloucester, the team kicked off in Landsdowne at 1pm as the clouds parted to expose a steamy hot day for the remainder of the game.
Approximately 10 minutes into the game, Old Bar's striker found the back of our net claiming the first goal, and also colliding with our fill-in keeper, Beau Boyd who was unable to return to the field. Gloucester was now left with no fresh legs on the bench, but fought hard throughout the game despite the sweltering heat. An unfortunate handball by the Barbarians inside the box resulted in a penalty, with Sam Mundy stepping up to the task, but a deflection by the keeper saw our newcomer Frank Ostlund seize the opportunity and slotted one in the net. Just before the half time whistle, the Barbarians ran in a quick goal, bringing the score to 2-1.
Darren Royce, coach for the day, provided a positive half time pep talk, and sent the boys back onto the pitch with plenty of tactics, but Old Bar became quite dominant in the second half, keeping possession of the ball, but also with many wayward balls sailing over the crossbar.
Damien Rolvink, Frank Ostlund and Josh Thant worked tirelessly up front and were unlucky not to claim a few goals, while Brandon Xuereb stepping into the goalie position, found himself with plenty of action and saving some superb goals, keeping the score to a minimum.
Gloucester fought hard throughout the entire game, without any subs and on an unexpected hot and steamy afternoon, against last years champions, came away with a score line to be proud of. Well done guys.
Old Bar 5, Gloucester 1.
Gloucester competition
Gloucester Soccer Club's local competition starts on Saturday April 4. Teams and game times will be on the website by midweek, website address is www.gloucestersoccernsw.org. It is not too late to register for the local competition, registrations are done online, links can be found on the Home page of our website.