Half an hour before push back, there didn’t appear to be any first teamers around ready to warm up but it turned out it was because they were all already on the pitch playing for the seconds.

Today’s opponents were newly promoted Gloucester and BAC knew it would a tough game. For the majority of the first half, BAC seemed up to the challenge as the teams were evenly matched. Gloucester looked to prevent Tinny from getting any shots on goal and, as a result, BAC were unable to capitalise on some flowing breaks forward.BAC kept their defensive structure well and Gloucester were getting frustrated by the brick wall they kept coming up against in the shape of Coxy and the BAC defence. But, on the stroke of half time, Gloucester won a short corner and a Gloucester player on the left post chipped the ball over a diving Coxy and it was 1-0.

Feeling pretty hard done by, BAC went into the second half looking to carry on pressurising Gloucester players on the ball. However, the hot temperatures and the fact that this was everyone’s second game started to tell as Gloucester managed to stretch the BAC defence and they soon made it 2-0. BAC lost heart for a brief spell and it was 3-0 before long. However, determined to get something out of the game, BAC fought back in the last 15 minutes and Lisa and Tinny were both denied goals by the Gloucester defence. Wave upon wave of Gloucester attacks were thwarted by the BAC defence, including by a midair goal line stop from Katie.

It was a frustrating second half for BAC and the score didn’t reflect the balance of play but hopefully the experience against a good Gloucester team will stand the team in good stead for the start of the league next week.

BAC achieved one mini victory as they enjoyed the best teas ever at Parkway Tavern and, after telling them off for not coming to teas, Andrew ate the 11 portions of curry bought for Gloucester players.

Player of the match votes went to Deb, Katie, Sally, Tinny, Cheryl, Liz and Shadow but the joint winners were Coxy and Lisa. Bruise of the week went to Maz.