Gloucester City manager Daf Williams expressed his satisfaction following his team’s 1-0 victory over Walton & Hersham on Saturday, a match that confirmed their upcoming play-off semi-final clash with Poole Town.
The final fixture of the season at the KMM Energy Stadium lacked competitive tension, as both Gloucester City and Walton & Hersham had little to play for in terms of league standings. Despite this, Gloucester City started strong, probing the opposition with notable danger down the right flank through King Baidoo.
Their persistence paid off in the 19th minute when Aaron Wildig found himself through on goal and delivered a precise pass to Kieran Phillips, who calmly slotted the ball into an empty net. This goal lifted the spirits of the home crowd and set the tone for the remainder of the match.
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Gloucester City continued to create chances, with forwards Joe Hanks and Kane Simpson each missing open nets on separate occasions. However, after taking the lead, the Tigers controlled the game comfortably, with both teams seemingly content awaiting the final whistle.
“We’re really pleased with the performance,” Williams commented. “We know Walton’s style, and while they secured the league title weeks ago, our approach was spot on. They maintained their usual structure, but we matched them well defensively.
“This was our first match this season where we were already looking ahead to the next challenge, but we still executed our game plan effectively. The defense was solid throughout.”
Gloucester City’s third-place finish, coupled with Farnham Town’s win, sets up a play-off semi-final against Poole Town on April 29 at 7:45 pm. Manager Williams acknowledged the significance of the occasion but emphasized the need for thorough preparation.
“This game is a huge moment for the club, the fans, and the players’ families,” he said. “However, in terms of preparation, it will be treated like any other match. Recovery and training are key, especially given the demanding heat we played in today. We’ll rest now and focus on devising a winning strategy for Poole.”
Gloucester City line-up: Thompson; Leadbitter (Thomas 62), Lewis, O’Regan, Williams (Spence 62); Wildig (Waite 56), Phillips (Siddall 77), Hanks, Stretton; Baidoo (Cross 77), Simpson.
Walton & Hersham line-up: Barker; Bolger, Light, Defise, Obeng; Rogalski, Wood, Parkes, Amartey; Kuaho (Buckley 82), Oupoh (Hubynets 68).
Referee: Thomas Durno.
Attendance: 1,422.