From tense FA Cup ties to brilliant league battles, there was plenty of footballing action played all around Gloucestershire over the weekend.
Starting in League Two, Cheltenham Town dropped down the table after a 0-2 loss to Fleetwood Town, a side that were also relegated from the third tier last season. Ex-Liverpool youth player Matty Virtue scored twice for The Fishermen at the EV Charger Points Stadium, which left Robins fans booing their side, when the full time whistle blew.
Forest Green Rovers were victors over a tough Hartlepool side, in a narrow 1-0 win at The New Lawn, thanks to a 71st minute goal from Charlie McCann. The midfielder found some space inside the box and slotted nicely into the bottom left hand corner. Rovers manager Steve Cotterill exclaimed after the win that, “It wasn’t the team that won that game, it was the squad and it was their spirit, effort and energy.”
In the FA Cup third qualifying round, Bishops Cleeve welcomed Chesham United to Kayte Lane. The Mitres were off the back of a historic 3-0 victory over Torquay United in the second round. However, the deadlock couldn’t be broken in this one, resulting in a replay at The Meadow on Tuesday 1st October.
Weston-Super-Mare were also forced to a replay after a 1-1 draw away at Chippenham Town. Ex-Cheltenham Town and Forest Green Rovers striker Reuben Reid was the one to hit the back of the net for the Seagulls and the replay takes place at the Optima Stadium, also on Tuesday 1st October.
The Fourth Round qualifying draw is set to take place today, Monday 30th September at 3pm live on Talksport, which sees the introduction of National League sides, including Yeovil Town and Forest Green Rovers.
Moving into the Southern League Premier South and Gloucester City, The Tigers had a 1-0 away win over Tiverton Town to celebrate over the weekend, which moved them up to 2nd in the league table. The only goal in the game came from the spot during the second half, City Star man Joe Hanks tucked the ball into the bottom right hand corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way in the process.
