Match Report 06/10/2007

City of London 1sts vs Old Magdelanians

Result 2 - 0

AFA Cup 2nd round

Scorers: Josh, JK

A subdued City arrived at Regent's Park on Saturday with just a bare 11 players and a substitute captain to lead them in the cup, Mark Fitzgerald... our one and only Cuptain. Up he stepped with a glint in his eye and an armband on his arm - he meant business, and so did City.

With limited numbers, City welcomed Sage into the fray with open arms... here, he would re-discover his youth and join Craig and Locky in a watertight defence. With flowing football from the start, City took to their task with passion and belief. Playing simple passing football all over the pitch, City dominated the first half. The movement was devastating and it wasn't long before it became too much for the Maggies. 20 minutes in and Josh finds the ball in the centre of the park... all eyes on Josh... and what do you do when everyone's watching you? You make them look the other way... the charasmatic austrailian teed up what everyone thought was going to be a rasping shot, but no... Josh had already spotted J bending over and touching his toes thus revealing a perfect target for a 1,2. As the defence's eyes followed the flight of the ball, Josh had already picked up J's return arse-pass and rifled the pigskin into the top left of the goal! 1-0 City and so it would remain until the 1st half ended.

The second half began and Old Magdelanians started to pile on the pressure trying to get themselves a lifeline. Never panicking though, the City defence and midfield simply batted away attacks like irritating flies. Composed at all times, City concentrated on the beautiful game - their football like a symphony stuck on a crescendo. Bayo and Stig ever strong in midfield battled well with Josh, Carlos and Darty feeding the forward players, J and Fitzy.

Wave after wave of City attacking play in the 2nd half meant the higher ranked team were exposed to a footballing lesson. Everything clicked and everything flowed and with 10 minutes to go, City put the final nail in the coffin... Josh again working well with J to send a ball-shaped bullet goalwards. Clipping J on the way to goal with an already beaten keeper, City make it 2-0 and march onwards to the next round of the cup.

Result 1- 3

A minute to go. The ref stood waiting. Still no sign of the City keeper. The oppo in formation - and with a full bench, despite the rugby - looking fresh and waiting patiently. 10 men in green, stood in a circle, 9 of them hoping not to be named as stand-in keeper. Then a minor miracle. A tall guy named Sam - goalkeeper from the game just finished - offered his services for the first half, on the condition he could play right back in the second. Done deal.

Sadly, not even this stroke of good fortune could save the day for City 2s.

The first half flew by. Good football at times with a handful of chances, the best falling to Andre; a great run to find himself one on one with the impressive oppo keeper who saved the first shot, then the follow up and then gathered the ball to end the chaos. Chances at the other end were few and far between; having scored 18 goals in 2 games, the oppo were finding City's defense a much tougher challenge. Until, that is, it collapsed. Caught with the ball at the back, then failing to recover and it was 0-1. A soft goal and a small hill to climb.

As if one wasn't enough, City conceeded an even softer second. The defensive line broken beyond repair left the oppo to pass their way to an easy second. 0-2 at the end of the half and a lot of hard work wasted.

As promised, Sam moved to his favoured right back position, Paul very kindly voluteering for a stint in goal (possibly his 13th favourite position after anywhere on the pitch or on the bench; on the plus side we now know it's his 13th best position too).

A brighter start saw the play open up somewhat and a flurry of chances came City's way. Yappy pushing ever further forward on the left, Carl and Simon mixing it up on the right and up front and excellent support, as ever, from Wes and Craig in the middle. It was only a matter of time. A freekick later, perfectly placed by Craig and with Yappy stealing in for the header, it was 1-2 and all to play for.

More chances came... and went. A freekick from Craig (blazed over), a shot from Carl (high and wide), another shot from Carl (crossbar), a chance for Yappy (high and wide), Simon put through (blazed over) and Craig put though (blazed over). Something had to give and late in the second half, it did. An oppo counter and this time one too many to hold back. 1-3 and game over.

MOM: Wes

Result