At Clarence Park for the first home League fixture of the season against Ford United. Last season, Ford strugled early on but then climbed to mid-table respectability following the appointment of Craig Edwards from Grays as Manager in December. Ford won their opening game against Stortford on Saturday and among their ranks are former Saints Robbie Reinelt and Jay Devereux.
For tonight, Cookie selected Wilmot in goal; 4 at the back: Gledhill, Brown (C), Campbell and Naylor; 4 in the midfield: Graham, Wraight, Castle and Oakes; and up fronty: McDonnell and De Souza. On the bench: Deacon, Martin, Glynn, Murray and Smith.
This was a strange one, for an hour or so, very similar to Saturday at Carshalton. Groundhog Day. Saints started brightly with Graham in particular showing his pace on the right flank. Ford came into the game, playing fluent football through the middle and causing problems for the home back four in and around the penalty area. Chances were created by clever running off the ball and Wilmot was required to show his pedigree on several occasions during the first half, including one memorable save sharp to his right at the near post which was a classic. Poor finishing by the visiting strikers helped the home cause.
Too much football was being played in the home half but Saints opened the scoring just before the break when a Castle corner from the left eluded the keeper and the central defenders to find McDonnell on the far post who headed home powerfully from a couple of yards. 1-0. H.T.
The second half followed the first, as usual, and Ford continued to threaten. Chances were created but the strikers could not find accuracy in their finishing. City were pinned in defence for 15 minutes or so but weathered the storm. City's second goal was a cracker. Oakes gathered the ball just inside the Ford half and took it down the wing at pace, pulling it back with accuracy to the unmarked De Souza whose first time shot from 12 yards gave the keeper no chance. 2-0.
Ford heads dropped. For all their position and possession, it was not to be. Glynn replaced Castle who did well for the remaining 20 minutes or so bringing bite to the midfield. A few minutes later, Smith replaced Oakes. City finished the game the stronger and created chances through the pace of Graham and Smith and the strength of McDonnell. 2 goals was enough. F.T. 2-0.
A win was essential tonight and Cookie will take the three points gladly. He will know that an improvement is necessary, however. The back 4 allowed too many openings for the visiting strikers and fortunately for City a large number of balls sailed high out of the ground over the home crossbar. We seemed to play too deep and the midfield is yet to show a consistent ability to turn defence into attack. Too many long balls are given away. Ford worked hard, showed ability on the ball and played for each other. They won't have as high a 'shots off target' total again this season.
TThe sponsors MotM was Campbell. For me McDonnell or Wilmot. The crowd was a sparse 300 or so with more in the Visiting Officials box than behind the goal.
Entertainment 5/10. Technical Merit 5/10. Referee 6/10. Atmosphere 5/10.
Match report by Homer |
