ALMONDSBURY TOWN boss Paul Weeks can be pleased with his team’s first friendly outing of the pre-season campaign as they battled hard against Blue Square North side Gloucester City.

David Mehew brought his full squad to Oaklands Park and both teams fielded strong line-ups. Some good work by groundsman Johnny Stewart ensured the game went ahead following some heavy rainfall.

It was the Almonds who took the lead in the 28th minute when Kane Ingram punished a mistake by ex-Almonds goalkeeper Dan Holdcroft. His poor clearance was met by Ingram, whose 25-yard shot deflected off a Gloucester defender, leaving Holdcroft wrong-footed.

Two minutes later, Gloucester were level when some poor marking at a set piece allowed Mike Symons a free header to give Ben John no chance. Moments earlier, John had pulled off an excellent save at the feet of Jack Pitcher when the striker should have scored.

It was Gloucester who went into the lead on 67 minutes when some hesitant play by substitute Lee Brisdon allowed Will Morford to flick the ball into the path of Pitcher who beat John with a cool finish from just inside the penalty area. Almondsbury recovered well and forced their way back into the game when Ingram scored his second goal with a direct free kick from the edge of the box. Some bad marking by the Almonds from a free kick allowed Harris to score with ease from a tight angle. Moments later, Pitcher grabbed his second goal and City’s fourth.