Atherstone never recovered from conceding a third minute goal
scored by Andy Mainwaring.
He added another before half-time and it was always a rearguard battle for United
although they mounted a rally in the second half.
United, hit by injuries to several key players, were a goal down before they could
settle. Gloucester forced a corner kick on the left and Mike Wyatt’s centre was
headed down by Andy Kemp for Mainwaring to knock it home from close range.
In the 39th minute, with United rocked back on their heels by the early
goals, Mainwaring scored his second when Tony Hemmings supplied the scoring pass.
United had the chance to get back into the match when they were awarded a 41st minute
penalty but David Hart’s spot kick was saved.
Hart made amends in the 71st minute by firing into the Gloucester net in a
goalmouth scramble and Kim Green was denied in injury time when his header produced a top
class save from Gloucester’s goalkeeper.
