A warm and sunny afternoon at Clarence Park for the visit of Bishop's Stortford. The Blues have had a mixed start to the season with 3 wins from 10 games but one of those victories was over Canvey Island last month. There's no crisis at the Park but City need 3 points today after the two consecutive League defeats.
Campbell, Naylor, Smith and Deacon are injured, Brown is out of the country on business and Wilmot has hung up his gloves so Cookie selected White in goal, 4 at the back: Gledhill, De Souza, Seeby and Murray; 4 in the middle: Graham, Wraight (C), Castle and Oakes; and up front: McDonnell and Tomlinson. On the bench: Martin, Hanson (GK), Parsons, Cross and, signed yesterday from Maidenhead, Martin Williams.
A strange game. Both keepers were making their League debuts this season, White in for Wilmot and former Saint Kenny Addai for Stortford in place of the suspended Micky Desborough, but neither was troubled until the 38 minute. Another long ball from midfield was pumped into the visitors box and McDonnell challenged Addai who spilled the ball to Tomlinson on the left. A clumsy challenge by the sole defender and the City striker was sent tumbling. The referee pointed to the spot and Tomlinson got up to hit a sweet strike home. 1-0. It was the only highlight of a dull first half. H.T.
The City back 4 were comfortably in control in defence but City attacks were limited to long balls to the two strikers who worked hard today. It wasn't pretty, however. On the hour, Wraight found Tomlinson just inside the visitors half, who hit an instant high lob which found McDonnell in space, who beat the off-side trap, took the ball on and hit a scorching shot from 25 yards which gave Addai no chance. Super goal. 2-0. The youngster Parsons replaced the veteran Castle.
The excitement came in a three minute spell 10 minutes from time which saw 3 more fine goals. Crisp interplay on the right and a well-judged cross found Langer who fired powerfully past White. 2-1. From the restart, The Saints failed to clear their lines in midfield and a loose ball was seized upon by the visitors captain, Rainford, who struck a fierce swerving shot from 25 yards to level the score. 2-2.
In the next City attack, a cross from Gledhill on the right was chested backwards by Tomlinson to Wraight who volleyed instantly from just outside the box into the bottom right hand corner of the net. For me, the best of 4 super goals. 3-2. F.T.
The visitors were frustrated at one or more decisions by one or all Officials and there were unnecessary scenes at the tunnel on full time. I couldn't see what the fuss was about then or during the game.
A strange game. 4 excellent goals in a game which lacked quality football otherwise. The City back 4 did well and the sponsor's MotM was De Souza. It's difficult to disagree but Seeby and Wraight were probably in contention. The two strikers worked hard today. Cookie will be delighted with 3 points.
Entertainment 7/10. Technical Merit 5/10. Referee 6/10. Atmosphere 5/10.
Match report by Homer |
