Match Preview

It's midweek Hellenic League action for City on Tuesday evening as they make the trip to Gloucester to face Tuffley Rovers, kick-off 7.45pm.

We kicked off our Hellenic League campaign for the season when we hosted Tuffley at the beginning of August, a night which proved frustrating for the City Faithful as we dominated possession and had the better chances, but were unable to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw.

Since that result, our hosts on Tuesday have picked up five points in nine games, chalking-up their first win of the season away to Lydney Town in mid-September. On Saturday they fell to a 4-1 away defeat to Slimbridge.

Meanwhile, City are on a five game winning run in the league following Saturday's demolition of Wantage Town. Goals certainly haven't been hard to come by in recent weeks, with Cornes' men finding the back of the net 19 times during that winning run. We'll be hoping that continues on Tuesday as we banish the memory of the opening day.

Goals were shared around the team on Saturday with six different goalcorers from the eight goals, with Belmonte and Hart each notching a brace, and Thompson Brown, Lockett, Insall and Reid also getting in on the action. Elliott Hartley impressed yet again despite not getting on the scoresheet, meaning it's another week of aiming to fit six players into three or four forward positions.

Lorcan Sheehan returned to the starting line-up on Saturday in place of the suspended Elliott Keightley, while Logan Stoddart continued at right back for the first 80 minutes before being replaced by Cam Monteith. It will be interesting to see how City boss Cornes may rotate his starting side for this game to give additional minutes to his squad players.

Following the Wantage result on Saturday, Chris Cornes spoke about the high standards that he and his coaching staff have sent the players this season, and how impressed he was with how they delivered on the weekend. He especially highlighted the work of players like Elliott Hartley and Liam Lockett for their work off the ball, and how impressed he's been with the work rate of the entire team of late.

Confidence seems to be high in the squad at present and long may that continue.

For those making the trip to Tuffley, Glevum Park is just over 3 miles from Junction 12 of the M5, and the postcode is GL2 5DP. From M5 Junction 12, head towards Gloucester for a short distance on the B4008 down to a roundabout adjacent to a small service area. At this roundabout take the second exit A38 (dual carriageway) towards Gloucester (Quedgeley By-Pass).

After 1/2 mile you will reach another roundabout (Waterwells) with a Holiday Inn on your right. Take the first exit continuing along the A38 on towards Gloucester past another new junction to new housing estate (Kingsway – traffic light controlled) until you reach a large traffic light junction at the end of the dual carriageway (approx 1.5 miles).

At these lights continue straight over ignoring sign for Tuffley to the right. Once through this first set of lights keep to the right and keep in the right filter lane to the next lights. Turn right here and head towards City Centre and Historic Docks along the Old Bristol Road. Just after the newly shaped road straightens along the old road take the turning right in to Lower Tuffley Lane (McDonalds Drive-Thru on corner).