Gloucester City manager Daf Williams had mixed feelings following his team’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against play-off hopeful Sholing on Saturday.
City dominated the first half but struggled to convert their chances. Despite creating multiple opportunities—including a shot that hit the post—Gloucester went into halftime level, leaving both sides poised for a decisive second half.
Sholing started the second half strongly. In the 72nd minute, James Roberts capitalized on a precise pass from Jake McCarthy to put the hosts ahead, slipping the ball past Gloucester keeper Jared Thompson.
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Facing the prospect of their sixth away defeat this season, Gloucester rallied in stoppage time. Kieran Phillips emerged as the hero, netting a superb 92nd-minute equaliser to salvage a valuable point for the Tigers.
“I thought we had a solid first half with good defensive organisation and some decent chances,” Williams said. “But the second half started poorly for us, and Sholing gained momentum. Thankfully, we managed to turn the tide back a bit, and credit to Kieran Phillips for an excellent finish to earn the equaliser.”
Williams acknowledged Gloucester’s struggles on the road this season, but he saw the point as a possible stepping stone: “Our away form isn’t great right now, so given how the game shifted in the second half, it might not be a bad point after all.”
Though Gloucester remain just one point behind second-placed Poole Town—with a game in hand—Williams insists the focus remains inward. “I don’t worry about other teams. It’s all about us — controlling what we can control: our training, our commitment on matchday. We have a good group who are working hard and want to do right by the club. We just need a bit more luck away from home.”
Injury news was a blow for the Tigers, with Williams confirming that Harry Emmett is out for the season, and the severity of Ed Williams’s injury remains uncertain.
Lineups:
Sholing: Norman, Rabbetts, Taylor, McCarthy, Mason (Tume 83), Hesketh (Riley-Snow 71), Targett, Roberts (Jones 83), Magri, Wylie, Folivi (Wishart 90).
Gloucester City: Thompson, Lewis, O’Regan, Wildig (Siddall 68), Phillips, Watts, Richards-Everton (Thomas 87), Day (Spence 68), Pinchard, Baidoo (Hanks 64), Mohammed.
Attendance: 594
Referee: Joe Wright