Chris Seeby in action
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A heavy downpour 45 minutes before kick-off freshened the grass, although the match against Sutton United was played in warm, late Summer sunshine at Clarence Park. Sutton are sixth in the table, unbeaten on the road and The Saints need a much improved performance after Tuesday's showing at Canvey.
For today, Cookie selected Wilmot in goal, 4 at the back: Gledhill, Brown (C), Campbell and Seeby; 4 in the middle: Graham, Wraight, Deacon and Oakes; and up front: De Souza and Tomlinson. On the bench: Murray, Glynn, Martin and White.
Clearly, Cookie 'had words' after Tuesday and this was a very different performance. City kept the ball on the ground from the off and there was plenty of grit and determination on display. Saints started the stronger and were rewarded after 10 minutes when Deacon won a 40:60 ball 10 yards outside the box and his sliding tackle found De Souza, who took the ball to the bye-line at pace and squared for Wraight who shot first time through the visiting keeper, Andy Iga. 1-0.
City were playing good, fluent football through the middle but the game was interrupted by a string of injuries including a 6 or 7 minute stoppage for Campbell who was stretchered off and taken to hospital for treatment to a dislocated shoulder. Campbell was replaced by Murray who went to left-back and had another fine game, with Seeby switching to centre-back where he was to put on a MotM display. Graham injured his leg and was replaced by Glynn. H.T. 1-0.
An early goal would reward The Saints first half display and it came within a minute or so of the re-start. A long clearance by Wilmot was helped into the box by De Souza and found Tomlinson who deftly flicked the ball over the stranded Iga. 2-0, and City were now in command.
Glynn suffered a recurrence of his back injury and was replaced by Martin with De Souza slipping back into midfield. Cookie was probably on Plan 27 by now, but the home side maintained their work-rate, continuing to play good football, pressing the visitors throughout. Several off-side decisions went against The Saints including a disallowed goal for Martin which looked fine to your correspondent. F.T. 2-0.
This was probably the best City performance of the season. De Souza showed his pedigree working tirelessly throughout. Oakes is coming back to form. Gledhill was solid once again and Deacon was a revelation in midfield. Seeby was the sponsor's MotM, a choice few would dispute but they all played their part. Nothing should detract from this performance but Sutton were very poor today. Against a determined defence they had little to offer.
Entertainment 8/10. Technical Merit 8/10. Referee 6/10. atmosphere 4/10.
Match report by Homer |
