Rather than the scarf and hat, it was Sun Factor 32 for the start of the 02/03 League campaign as the sun shone and the temperature rose above 90. The pitch looked in excellent condition and Clarence Park is at it's best. New pitch-side advertising boards and two new flagpoles give it a real stadium feel. New faces, high hopes and expectations.
The visitors today are Ford United, newly promoted, but having parted company with their Manager this week. A colourful Chairman who played in goal last season - does he think he owns the club?- who has now hung up his gloves. It may give City Chairman John Gibson ideas of a come-back.
For today, The Dynamic Duo selected Wilmot in goal: 4 at the back: Gould (signed from Tamworth) , Moran, Townley (from Aldershot), and the American Hollenback; 4 in the middle: Challinor (signed from Cambridge United), Oakes (from Orient), Castle (C) (from Grays) and Barr (from Q.P.R.); and up front: Martin and Crawshaw (from Farnborough). On the bench were Evans, De Souza (from Farnborough), Sippetts (signed from London Colney), Naylor (from somewhere else, Hitchen, perhaps?) and Roberts (G.K.) (from Harrow). In the stand were the suspended Smith and Keen, the injured Brown and Mackail-Smith, and Campbell. There's some real talent there, and in depth.
City soon settled, safe at the back, and took control from the midfield. Ford weren't able to threaten. City took the lead after 15 minutes or so when Martin left his marker in the box to collect a Barr cross and cooly picked his spot. 1-0. A few minutes later, it was 2 when a long ball from Challinor found Barr wide on the left who cut in, beat the defender and then the keeper with a fine shot from a tight angle. 2-0. The heat reduced the pace of the game but The Saints were comfortably on top and not threatened. H.T. 2-0.
A word about the half-time music. Who requested the original recording of "When the boat comes in" on 33 1/3rd rpm. plastic? What does he think he owns The Club?
Ford pressed at the start of the second half and City lost their rythym. Within 10 minutes, Ford pulled one back when Wilmot failed to gather a cross from the left which was headed home from close range by Hackett. Careless. 2-1. Saints livened up and Oakes, Barr and Challinor, in particular, showed their class. De Souza came on for Martin and Evans for Castle. A free-kick from Barr was parried by the visitors' keeper and De Souza was on hand to score a poacher's goal from a tight angle. 3-1 and surely City would finish in a canter. No. Ford pressed again and slack marking at the back allowed Devereux to narrow the gap with 5 or 6 minutes to go. 3-2. Wilmot earned his wages moments later with a superb reaction save to deny Ford the equaliser. F.T. 3-2.
The Duo will be disappointed that a couple of lapses in concentration in defence allowed Ford back into the game which should have been sewn up within the hour. However, 3 points will do and it was very hot. A fine game from Crawshaw who worked hard, particularly off the ball, throughout. The new boys did well and Challinor was awarded MotM. Ford will be pleased that they showed character and came close to stealing a point that they didn't really deserve on the balance of play. They will need to be tighter at the back and more creative from midfield this season.
A disapponting attendance of 326.
Entertainment Value: 8/10. Technical Merit: 7/10. Atmosphere: 6/10. Referee: 7/10.
Match report by Homer |