Football Gloucestershire Sports

Hartpury University reach FA Youth Cup first round for the first time after 9-2 victory

Hartpury University U18 became history makers after their 9-2 win against Gosport Borough U18 in the FA Youth Cup.

A first half hat-trick from Cian Fitzgerald plus goals from George Killick and Haydn Evans meant they lead by five at the break on Thursday night.

Spencer Hamilton’s side scored four more goals in the second half, including two from Sam Kelly.

Going into the match, both sides hoped to make it the first round of the FA Youth Cup for the first time in their respective club’s history.

Hartpury University started the stronger of the sides, having lots of half chances, which included a curling effort from Charlie Mathews.

In the tenth minute, they made the pressure count when Cian Fitzgerald latched onto the end of Mathews’ cross, and flicked the ball passed the Gosport goalkeeper.

Goalscorer Fitzgerald turned provider as his cross across the box was deflected towards goal and George Killick was there to tap home at the far post.

Only two minutes later, Hartpury made it three nil through Fitzgerald. Alex Knight had the original shot, which was half saved but after a missed clearance, the striker scored his second of the game.

The home side continued their pressure, and it was soon four when Mathews’ free kick was punched clear, only to fall kindly to Haydn Evans who headed over everyone.

Against the run of play, Robert Tudway was released on goal for Gosport, but his effort was tame.

The game fell into a small lull, with Hartpury center back Kelly’s strike from range the best of the chances.

Just before half-time, the lead became five when Josh Roddy’s header released Fitzgerald, and he dinked over the Gosport goalkeeper to secure his hat-trick.

Gosport Borough started the second half much better than the first, but it was Hartpury who got the sixth as Mathews’ free kick was headed in by an unmarked Kelly.

With the games conclusion a given, Gosport were able to pull a goal back, when they were given a generous penalty, which was slotted into the bottom right by Jacob Pope.

Only a minute later, Gosport were once again unable to defend a Mathews free kick, as after the initial header hit the post, Kelly got his second with a tap in.

It was eight in the 78th minute, when substitute Morgan Ewing picked the ball up on the edge of the box, and rifled his shot into the bottom right corner.

The goals kept flowing as Gosport’s Ryan Choate ran down the wing and squared it to Jacson Barr, who tapped home at the second attempt for 8-2.

The pick of the goals came late on, when a solo goal from Harry Mackenzie nestled into the top corner, from the edge of the box, for Hartpury’s ninth.

Hartpury University: Smallwood, Sherchan, Mathews, Stalley, Evans, Kelly, Killick (Ewing 76), Knight (Jones 58), Fitzgerald (Reid 65), Roddy (Vaughan 62), Mackenzie.

Gosport Borough Starting XI: Izzard, Zotch, Bosworth, Smith, Searle, Morris, Pope, Tudway, Sharp, Blake.

Keep up with all the latest sports news around Gloucestershire by clicking here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *