Gloucester City’s manager, Daf Williams, expressed immense pride in his team’s resilience after a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Hanwell Town. This crucial win on the road secures vital three points as the Tigers continue their charge for second place in the league.
Gloucester City entered the match buoyed by recent wins over Plymouth Parkway and Tiverton but faced a challenging task. Hanwell Town, unbeaten in their last eight home games, made a strong statement early on. Just three minutes in, Henry Snee capitalized on an incisive run and cross from Elijah Oladunjoye, putting Hanwell ahead.
Despite the setback, Gloucester maintained their composure. The equalizer came in the 65th minute when Morgan Lewis delivered a pinpoint ball to Elis Watts. Watts' shot took a deflection but found its way past the Hanwell goalkeeper to level the score.
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The Tigers' persistence paid off late in the game. Substitute Kieran Phillips rose to meet an Elis Watts cross, slotting home the decisive goal with 12 minutes remaining. This marked a significant moment in Gloucester’s push for the coveted second-place spot, as they now sit two points ahead of rivals Farnham Town, who have two games in hand.
Williams praised his squad’s mental strength and determination, especially given Hanwell’s strong home form. “I’m really proud of them today,” he said. “Hanwell hadn’t been beaten here in eight games and had faced some tough sides. To come back from an early goal down shows tremendous character.”
The manager also highlighted the team’s ability to overcome adversity, noting injuries and last-minute changes. In the warm-up, loanee Jamal Mohammed suffered an injury and was replaced by King Baidoo. Despite these challenges, city players stayed focused and performed at a high level.
“We’ve faced many setbacks this season with injuries and suspensions," Williams added. “To see the lads keep their standards and battle through today speaks volumes about their commitment to this club and its supporters.”
Team lineups for the match were as follows:
Hanwell Town: Beasant, Sankoh, Oladunjoye, N’diti (Odell 75), Matton, Hoath, Sanogo (Waight 87), Cooper, Bradbury, Krasniqi (Crichlow 83), Snee.
Gloucester City: Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Williams, Spence (Phillips 68), Watts, Thomas, Hanks, Waite, Baidoo (Cross 87), Siddall (Leadbitter 45).
Referee: Craig Wood
Attendance: 437