UCL Divison 1
January 7, 2023
Gedling earn their first win of 2023 with victory at Holwell.
The visitors were looking for a response after crashing out of the Notts Senior Cup and inside 2 minutes they had a chance to go in front, Jahren Barrow slipped in Paolo Piliero down the left who crossed for Jack Jepson but he could only scuff his effort wide from 12 yards.
Barely a minute later the visitors spurned another chance, a high ball was not delt with by the hosts backline and Courtney Hastings hit a sweet volley which was saved by the Holwell keeper.
On 12 minutes Holwell had their best chance of the half, a quick break; left the Gedling backline outnumbered and a cross from the left was headed wide of Louis Richardson’s left-hand post.
But on 21 minutes the visitors went infront, Ryan Tait headed the ball to Piliero in the area who beat his man before slotting a left footed effort into the bottom left corner from 10 yards out for his 2nd goal of the season.
Just 3 minutes later it got even better for Gedling, Hastings and captain Josh Thornton linked well before Thornton whipped in a superb cross Barrow hit first time into the top right corner from 10 yards for his 3rd of the season and to give the miners a deserved 0-2 lead at half time.
Holwell, who just came of the back of a 2-1 victory earlier in the week got back into the game just 7 minutes into the 2nd half, Tom Pope found some room 25 yards from goal and his effort hit Adrian Hawes and looped over the helpless Richardson and into the bottom left corner for Pope’s 10th of the season.
Gedling did not let this hinder them and on 65 minutes they almost extended their lead, the hosts keeper made a mess of a clearance and the ball fell to Piliero 25 yards from goal and his effort beat the keeper but the hosts skipper headed off the line and Jepson’s follow up was well saved.
But on 77 minutes the miners did have their 2-goal lead back, Thornton whipped in a corner which Kieran Harrison headed against the bar but Jepson was on hand to put the ball over the line for his 9th of the season and to steer Gedling to deserved 3-1 win.
Gedling MOM– Kieran Harrison
Gedling Team – Louis Richardson, Josh Thornton (C), Ross McCaughey, Kieran Harrison, Josh Stevenson (Kyme Mason 75’), Adrian Hawes, Ryan Tait, Jahren Barrow (Danny Dixon 64’), Courtney Hastings, Jack Jepson, Paolo Piliero
Next Game- Bourne Town (H), 14/01/23, UCL Division 1, 3:00PM Kick Off
