The UDA GCAFC development team lifted the Hellenic League Cup this weekend with a 3-2 win over Headington in Bristol.

In an excellent team performance with many outstanding displays, Jaxon Hundt (South Bend, Indiana) scored the winning goal in the 88th minute. With a clever run, Hundt split the Headington defense on a through pass from Chris Patterson (Cibolo, Texas) and coolly slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. Hundt made his first-team debut last week for GCAFC's first team in their County Cup win and continued his scoring run in the Hellenic Cup final with two goals. 

After falling behind twice in the game, goals from Jaxon, assisted by Caleb Thomas (Bothell, Washington) and Shane Pierson (Albuquerque, New Mexico), brought the game level. Shane scored on the far post after a corner delivery from Michael Patterson (Cibolo, Texas). Jax’s first goal came from another well-timed run on a through pass from Caleb Thomas. 
​
UDA GCAFC controlled most of the second half with good passing and combinations. Dylan Reetz (San Antonio, Texas) made critical saves in the second half to keep the score level. Ty Lake (Reno, Nevada), who also made his first-team debut last week, provided some excellent defending; he was well supported in defense by Mikkiel Graham (Pikesville, Maryland), who offered good cover and support when needed.​

Michael Patterson not only assisted a goal, but also controlled the center of midfield with clever running and passing, keeping UDA GCAFC’s momentum moving forward with solid supporting performances from Alexis Marquex (Mercedes, Texas) and Caleb Thomas.​

The team's victory was not just their own but a testament to the unwavering support of the UDA community. UDA students and university friends made the trip to Bristol, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the team. The final whistle was met with excited celebrations, a true reflection of the team culture, unity, and spirit the UDA GCAFC coaches and staff have built this past year.
​
Ryan Davies, UDA head coach, said, “A great team performance, coming back from twice behind to win the cup, shows the growth and resilience of the players, especially with some first-year players on the squad. We will enjoy this for now but will work to push on the player's development as we look to next year.”

UDA Football Director Dave Nichols said, “Everyone played their part today. All credit the players for their commitment, skill, discipline, and tactical awareness. This is a great achievement as we won the cup, with mainly first-year students coming to the UDA Academy. Credit to the coaching staff and the willingness of the players to take on board what the coaches have instilled in them. However, we now push on for next year and look to return when the new season arrives. I am excited to see where these players can play next year.”

Congratulations to UDA’s Head Coach, Ryan Davies, and UDA Football Director, Dave Nichols, and all the players and staff on a memorable end to the season.

Danny Wright asserted himself throughout the game as the veteran striker displayed some brilliant hold up play causing problems for Cleeve defenders throughout the match.

Jared Thompson made a hand full of saves as the game went on to keep City going throughout.

Cleeve did get their equaliser on 68 minutes as Langworthy tapped home from close range thanks to a well worked move down the left-hand side from the visitors.

City came so close to regaining the lead on 76 minutes after another brilliant Durrell delivery was seen out for a corner, as the Cleeve defender ushered the ball just over the bar.
Minutes later though Cleeve would take the lead as Malshanskyj lobbed the ball over Thompson from just outside the City box.​

Thomposn pulled off a brilliant save at his near post to keep City in the match late on, followed by another close range stop to deny Cleeve making it a two goal advantage.

Some individual brilliance from Rowe meant the ball fell to Brandon Smalley inside the box, as he flashed an effort across goal which went narrowly wide.

City manged to find their equaliser in the 93rd minute as Theo Robinson scored his brace getting on the end of Durrell's lovely weighted through ball and dispatching with ease around the keeper to send the game to penalties.

Wright had another headed effort as added time winded down, but his shot flew over the bar.

Cleeve missed three spot kicks in the shootout as club captain Spencer Hamilton tucked away the winning penalty to bring Home the Gloucestershire County Cup.

Following the match, shootout-hero Hamilton received an award for making his 150th City appearance this season. 

Harry Pinchard was awarded with player's, manager's and fan's player of the season, with Harry Emmett picking up young player of the season. ​

This winter break, Jax Hundt stayed on campus and spent his time training with the GCAFC First Team. 

Jax has had the opportunity to train with the Firsts before, but this time he was able to spend even more time with the team and coaching staff.

"Getting my initial chance to be a part of the First Team’s game subs was proof that hard work pays off! Before that I had had the privilege to practice with them a few times and then I had the honor to be a part of the team on game day versus Bristol City. The atmosphere and pace are exactly what I have been looking forward to. I respect their competitive nature because it reflects my own. I long for the physicality and aggressive level of their play."

Jax isn't the only UDA student-athlete who has been able to train with the First Team. We've had several student-athletes who have all been invited to spend a few training sessions at the next level.

Over winter break, Jax trained with the First Team during every practice. "I got to warm-up with them twice before their games and I even traveled to an away game with their captain Hanksy and Spencer. I always feel welcomed by the players and coaches. The way they prepare before the games is similar to a whole elite training session. I definitely feel like I belong and fit in as a part of the team and I am extremely excited for more opportunities to play with the first team and to get to have big moments with them!"

Thank you Jax for sharing your winter break experience with us! This is just one example of the opportunities our student-athletes have when they take their university and soccer experience abroad. ​

​Ryan joins us from Cardiff City Football Club where he held the position as Foundation Phase Academy Coach and Multi Sport Coach for the Community Foundation. 

During his time at Cardiff, Ryan was the Talent Identification Scout, Head of Development Centre, and held various coaching positions.

He also has experience working as the Head of Women's and Girls' Football at Merthyr Town Football Club, as well as the Women's First Team Manager. 

Outside of working closely with our Program Director, Ryan will work with all UDA students in the Academy. He will be primarily responsible for the UDA development team in the Hellenic league but will offer technical and functional sessions to all UDA students as needed. 

As a coach with a degree in sports coaching, Ryan will also oversee strength and conditioning, offer sports psychology, and diet and nutrition sessions. 
Welcome to UDA, Ryan!

​➡️ Read more about Ryan's credentials.

Gloucester City Women have reached the Third Qualifying Round of the Women’s FA Cup for the first time, following a 2-0 win over Bath City Women – in front of a record crowd at the TigerTurf Stadium.

Goals from Kally Lloyd and Rakiya Morgan-King were enough to see Gloucester claim victory in a fairly scrappy cup tie, as an attendance of 187 looked on.

The attendance is the third time this season that Gloucester City Women have broken their own record, having seen crowds of 142 and 150 in their two previous home matches.

Alongside the crowd numbers, City have now beaten their best run in the Women’s FA Cup, which came in the 2021/22 season, when they were beaten at this stage by Ilminster Town.

The hosts started fast, with Maggie Neall sending a free kick over the bar inside the first three minutes.
Then on 11 minutes a corner was swung into the box and Kally Lloyd’s header looped up and landed over the line, despite a scramble of bodies trying to keep it out.

The goal settled City down and it should have been made two soon after, but Meg Prout did everything right bar the finish after shrugging off a defender, before sliding an effort off the foot of the far post.
Prout went close again just before half time, but skied her effort from Lloyd’s pull back.
Beth Davies dribbled forward from midfield on the brink of the break, but her effort was deflected wide for a corner.
​
It hadn’t been a typically efficient City performance, but they were ahead at the break.

Paige Todd found herself in down the left moments after the restart, but flashed her effort across goal, before Lloyd found herself in a similar position on the right hand side, but had her effort blocked by the feet of Bath City keeper, Sadie Farley.

Farley was called into action again just after the hour mark, as she palmed a header away as City went in search of their second.

Todd skipped past her marker again moments later after cutting the ball across goal from the byline, substitute Kacie Anderson somehow turned the ball wide from about two yards.

The longer the game stayed 1-0, the more nervy the TigerTurf Stadium became in the final quarter of an hour – especially after Bath began to push further forward.

Tara Taylor tested Ashli Whitbury with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

With five minutes left on the clock, Todd found space down the left again and crossed for Morgan-King, who produced a great first touch to create space to blast home past Farley.

The victory earns Gloucester City Women a place in the hat for the Third Qualifying Round draw, with the next round on Sunday 22 October and takes their earnings for this season’s cup run to a guaranteed £5800 as it stands.

Next up for Gloucester City Women is a tough test with the visit of Bitton Ladies to the TigerTurf Stadium, next weekend.

Gloucester City Women: Whitbury, Golding, Neall, Davies, Lloyd, Todd, Slanina-Wertz, Fuks, Ross, Esplin, Prout

Subs: Ambrey, Kantorowicz, Lewis, Morgan-King, Anderson, Simmons, Hancock

Bath City Women: Farley, Wells, Bellotti, Gray, Harris, Taylor, Harvey, Key, Goater, Wright, Sabic
​
Subs: Black, Jefferies
C Martin Roofing Player of the Match – Ainsley Fuks (Gloucester City Women)

UDA at the University of Gloucestershire were fortunate to secure 26 tickets for the above game. 

Players, staff, and parents were in attendance! 

Even though it was a cold, wet, and windy day in North West England, the football on show certainly lit up our faces, but sadly not the skies! 

We started our journey with a huddle of Manchester City fans on board, with others reminiscing about past glories about their team, or future potential glories! 

The buoyant mood of the group could be heard above the chorus of "Blue Moon" playing over the speakers. 

"This is by far the best live game I've ever seen." said Dave Nichols, Head of Coaching. 

Although it was a long day, departing at 2:00 pm and returning back on campus at 2:30 am, we hope to do it again for the semi-final. 

​Will it be the mighty Real Madrid, or Chelsea? 

Recently, Aidan Harris, one of our UDA Gloucester goalkeepers was asked to train with the Gloucester City AFC First Team.