Real Gate went down to their second league defeat at Parr Stocks against Boilermakers.

Chris Hill's no show meant a return to defence for Paul Barrow, something he hasn't been used to in recent months after becoming the clubs number 1 striker last season. Spike made his competitive debut and Ste Marsh returned to make his 2nd debut for the club.

Gate started well when Ste Marsh was put through by Dan Oakes only for the keeper to bring him down as Ste went round him. A professional foul by the keeper, yet no card. Matt stepped up to take the penalty but saw it rebound back of the post, he then headed it goal-wards and it hit the bar, rebounded out and it hit the bar again. A lucky escape for the Boilermakers.

The Boilers took the lead midway through the first half when their striker latched onto a long ball, took it into the area and smashed the ball across goal and into the far corner.

Boilermakers kept on launching the ball down the touchlines but the Gate backline was coping reasonably well. 

Boilermakers second goal came, when the striker somehow managed to squeeze the ball between Anders and Costello and it just crept in off the near post.

Babbs and Marsh were a constant threat up front, causing the Boilermakers defence all sorts of trouble but Gate were wasting their chances.

The second half continued in much the same way. Boilermakers attacking down the flanks but Gate having most of the chances.  

It was Boilermakers who struck first again though. It was a crowded area when the ball fell just outside the back to the Boilermakers striker who fired a low shot towards the corner. The ball came through a crowd of people before nestling in the back of the net.

Gate took the game to Boilermakers after this, Ste Marsh again breaking through the defence and yet again the keeper took him out after he'd gone past him. This time the referee did show a card but it was only yellow. Ant Babbs stepped up to take it and using his powerful left foot, he fired the ball low into the net. 3-1.

With Gate sensing the chance of a comeback people were going forward more and more and this left the backline exposed. A ball over the top was picked up by the free Boilermakers striker 30 yards out, he ran 15 yards with it whilst being chased down by Spike before sliding the ball home from 10 yards. 

The 4th goal was a bitter blow for Gate but they never gave up. Ant Babbs broke free and fired a shot across the goal which the keeper could only parry into Ste Marsh's path, and the striker knocked it home to give Gate hope again.

Gate continued to attack, hitting the frame of the goals a couple of times and having shots blocked and saved before Matt Pape picked the ball up 25 yards out. Running from near the left touchline he went across the pitch with the defender chasing, and unleashed a curling shot back across the goal which curled away from the keeper and nestled into the keepers right corner.

Boilermakers were panicking now as Gate pressed forward at every opportunity. Unfortunately, despite a couple of half chances, Gate couldn't find the equaliser as Boilermakers held on for the win.

It was a decent performance from Gate against what is sure to be a decent Boilermakers team.

Goals: Babbs (Pen), Marsh, Pape.