This Sunday afternoon though it was an FA Cup tie I was watching as Gloucester City took on Longlevens in a huge local derby, the first competitive meeting between the sides. This was a proper David vs Goliath match at it was National League North (step 2) vs Hellenic League (step 5).
The game was officially a Longlevens home game but the tie was switched to Meadow Park on police advice. Both clubs were rewarded with a record crowd for the new ground with over 2,300 present, including plenty of familiar faces from the groundhopping fraternity.
Gloucester returned to the city in 2020 after a nomadic 13 year existence groundsharing at Forest Green Rovers, Cirencester Town, Cheltenham Town and Evesham United. The original Meadow Park was destroyed by flooding in 2007 when the River Severn burst it's banks. There is a famous photograph that shows the water almost touching the crossbar (it is easily found with a Web search).
Although the new ground is on the same site, in the Hempsted area of the city, the pitch, the two 350 seat stands and clubhouse have been raised over 10ft to safeguard against any future flooding. The terracing from the original Meadow Park is visible behind the South Stand.
The first game at the new Meadow Park was an FA Trophy game against Needham Market in December 2020. The Tigers won 4-2. I was heading the next game on Boxing Day against Leamington, with my ticket purchased and everything, but then Covid-19 restrictions were imposed and that game was played behind closed doors before the season was eventually null and voided.
Longlevens were enjoying their best ever run in the FA Cup, this 2nd qualifying round being the furthest they had ever been before. Unfortunately for the Levens today was where that run ended. They gave a good account of themselves but in the end Gloucester just had too much.
The Tigers were on the front foot from the off and took the lead through a Danny King shot after 12 minutes. Any thoughts of a cup upset seemed unlikely at this point with Gloucester dominating the the game.
However, on 31 minutes, Longlevens scored the goal of the game when a quick counter attack led to the ball falling to Cam Williams who curled in a shot, from outside the area, past the despairing dive of Jake Cole in the Gloucester goal.
This rattled Gloucester and for a few minutes Longlevens had them pinned in their own half but half time came at a good time for The Tigers and within minutes of the restart they were back in front, King tapping home at the far post.
Gloucester dealt with the attacks from Longlevens and probably should have extended their lead on the counter but the win was finally secured with eight minutes remaining when King headed home to complete his hat-trick.
A deserved win for Gloucester but Longlevens bowed out with their heads held high.
