Photography by Jamie Brain
Gloucester City defender Harry Emmett hails “perfect start” to season after beating Hartpury 5-4 on penalties to advance to the next round of Isuzu FA Trophy.
“Obviously it’s good to get through today,” Emmett commented after the Hartpury win on Saturday.
“We just want to win as many games as we can really. Daf (Williams) wants good standards here. I know it’s pens but ultimately we got through and that’s the main thing.”
Manager Williams’ standards have led the team to record six wins from nine in the early stages of the league, putting them second in the Southern League Premier Division South.
The Tigers’ win over Hartpury also puts them into the first round proper of the FA Trophy, having won three qualifying rounds.
The defining moments during the shootout that sent us into the next round🎩🏆#GCAFC pic.twitter.com/2CahwxrM69
— Gloucester City AFC (@GCAFCofficial) October 5, 2025
“They set up quite well, it was hard to break through the game. We stayed consistent, got it to pens and missed a few, but got the job done which is the most important thing.”
It was a 0-0 scoreline prior to the shootout, a clean sheet that Emmett was pleased to keep after conceding four in the previous two games and switching up the back line.
“We had a different system today, we went to four at the back out of possession. We worked on it in training, it think it worked well.
We had a few missing, obviously Dyl (Jones) suspended so we had to chop and change a few things, but a clean sheet, we can’t complain really.”
The Acorns are a division below Gloucester City in the league and were playing the first FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round in their history so Gloucester will be relieved to have scraped through.
“Everyone knows you just have to pick a spot,” Emmett said when asked about the pressure of a penalty shootout.
“A few saves, but you pick a spot and if it goes in, happy days.”
To keep up to date with all the sports stories of the day, click here to head over to our live blog.
