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Gloucester City end their 23/24 season with silverware after 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Bishops Cleeve in the Gloucestershire County Cup final at the TigerTurf stadium, after drawing 2-2 in normal time. Mike Cook made five changes from his side's last league game of the season on Saturday with Ty Lake and Teddy Rowe filling in at full back, Elliott Durrell returned to the starting 11 in place of the injured Josh Smile. Cleeve enjoyed an early spell of possession and came really close to breaking the deadlock after Ross Langworthy found himself through on goal but couldn't pull off the audacious backheel. Brandon Smalley came desperately close to putting City a goal up after winger struck the bar on 28 minutes. City did take the lead on 36 minutes thanks toa delightful set piece delivered by Elliott Durrell, which was headed towards the back post by Theo Robinson, giving the Cleeve goalkeeper no chance. Lake eased off his man brilliantly to deny Cleeve another good chance shortly before the halftime whistle.  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. Two of our UDA Gloucester players, Jax and Ty represented UDA and GCAFC during the match. Ty made his first start, and Jax making his first team debut. "I could not have imagined making my debut at a closer or bigger game being a cup final and going to penalties. It was a thrill being in during the pens and knowing that it might come down to my turn. The celebrations after winning, including the pictures with the team, medals, and cup were so exciting. I have been training with this team for almost the whole season in anticipation of this moment to actually play in a game; what a way to end the season with what feels like the start of my career!” - Jax Hundt , UDA Student-Athlete  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.
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GCAFC Gains a UDA Student-AthleteJax Hundt, our University of Gloucester student-athlete, has signed to play soccer at the next level with Gloucester City AFC. Jax is a 19 year-old first-year studying sports business management from South Bend, IN. "Signing means that not only did I make it, but also that every coach who gave me a chance and every teammate who had faith in me made it all possible. It was the perfect combination of blessings from God, sacrifices from my family, and opportunities seized."  Jaxson has been working hard with our coaching staff and deserves this opportunity to move on and up! We're so excited for Jax to be one of our first student-athletes to sign a pro contract.
"I am lucky enough to have a community in Indiana who love me and believe in me. I could not have anticipated Gloucester making me feel so welcomed and trusted. I want to thank UDA, especially Chris Hill, for making these connections possible. I have a lot of people who have helped me reach my goals and live my dreams, so I promise that I will always work hard." We know Jax has what it takes to shine at this next level, and as a UDA community, we can't wait to cheer him on! |
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