Match Report Saturday 9th December

City of London I vs. Clapham

Result 5 - 0

Scorers: JK 2, Josh 2, Capo 1

Saturday's home game against Clapham was one City wanted to win not only to complete the whole first half of the season without dropping a single point... but also to set us all in good stead for the Christmas party later that evening!

The game started well with a few early City attacks but it was clear that Clapham weren't just going to roll over. They fought back and had a few close chances as the 1sts struggled to get that first important goal. It came after 25 minutes, from top scorer Jonathan Kay! A ball over the top from Mr Fitzgerald allowed the lycra-sporting, white-booted striker to make the angle and slot into the bottom corner of the net. Jk 1, Clapham 0 and surely an omen for great things to come for Kay that evening... mmmwwwwaahhhhh!

Still fighting back, Clapham came close with a superbly struck free kick sent careering to the top right hand corner of the goal... with the grace and speed of an olympic gymnast, Tommy flung himself across the goalmouth to pull off an unbelievable fingertip save... one for the cameras. 5 minutes later and an unfortunate decision left City facing a penalty... A few nervous moments for City but it wasn't to be... a cheeky 'turn and shoot' attempt by Clapham's youthful forward ended in misery for the oppo as the ball hit the wrong side of the post and went off for a goal kick. Still 1-0... City still heading for a ninth league clean sheet from 10.

COL almost made it two just before halftime but were also unlucky to hit the post. Fitzy showed his turn of pace and latched on to a Capo clearance, a great lift over the keeper's head only to see the crossbar deny him... 1 - 0 at half time and a tough game so far with City riding their luck.

The second half proved a very different story with the city wingers playing out of their skin. Carlos jinked past his markers for the umpteenth time and found himself in the box with one to beat... he passed him with ease and layed an unselfish ball across the 6 yard box for JK to claim his second... and with his left foot too!! 'It really is going to be my best night out ever tonight' thought JK! Mwwwwaaaaahhhh!!

Once the second had gone in, the rest followed in quick succession. Josh on fresh and ready saw the ball dribble out to him on the edge of the area... caressing it gently but firmly with the outside of his boot, the aussie Essien-ed the ball in to the far reaches of the goal... keeper didn't stand a chance. 5 minutes later and Josh was there again... rather than take it past his opponent on the right he simply stepped inwards and curled the ball high into the top left of the goal... another contender for goal of the season!

The fifth came and delivered goal no.5 of the season for Martin Frankum. Tim Dart with a corner placed skillfully onto the captain's head and... Bosh - the ball headed powerfully to the right of the goal. The struggling keeper dived athletically to get his fingertips on the ball but it wasn't enough. 5-0, another Capo goal!!

Another win, another clean sheet, another three points... 30 from a possible 30 so far!

Man of the Match - JK... what a good night it promises to be at the Christmas party!! Mwwwaaaahhhhh... JK 'ejected' from Tiger Tiger after 1 small hour... gutted!!

Result 1 - 3

Scorers Keane 2, Kebabbe

MoM - Keane, 2 goal hero in all action display

A potential bananaskin was navigated without slip-ups in a promising display. Given the weather-imposed winter break, the passing and domination of the first 20 minutes warmed the cockles. Lining up in a 3-5-2, the midfield of Dazza, Keano, Mikey Z, Paul and Carl gelled well and recycled the ball expertly creating plenty of shooting opportunities. Unfortunately the radars were slightly off-beam the Sidcup keeper untroubled despite various chances, Paul in particular worrying various low-flying fowl. This kept the door ajar for the home team's confidence to grow and the best chance of the first half fell to them, Danny doing just enough racing of his line to ensure that the striker's chip flew just wide of the upright. A let-off.

More of the same in the second period which saw the introduction of PG and Ben into the fray. And it was the Italian stallion who unpicked the lock a quick turn from a throw left the full-back in a heap, a precision cross and a determined Keane at the back stick to bosh the opener.

The second goal was all-important and with encouraging signs from the front two it came to COL. A Carl throw touched back by PG, a whipped cross into the box and Kebabbe pounced to lace home. Home and dry? Not quite.

As often the case, the two goal cushion invited a relaxation and Sidcup showed why they are up there by putting the three man defence under a fair bit of pressure. They duly clawed back to within a goal as a ball in the box fell kindly and was prodded home outside of a despairing Danny's reach.

Fortunately with Ben tackling everything that moved and Carl maintaining his fantastic work-rate the lead was preserved until the chance fell for Keane to grab his deserved brace and the three points came home to papa.

Result 6 - 0

For the second game in succession, the weather threatened the go ahead of the COL match, against Sinjuns, but thankfully we got the go ahead early Sat morning. Against a very young team who gave us a tough test at the start of the season, the 3rds were fully prepared for a tough battle. However this never really materialised, and to be honest we cruised to a comfortable 3 points, which was crucial with Glyns and Clapham playing each other (a draw which now leaves us top of the table). The game started as a pretty even contest, with both teams looking to attack at any chance. The oppo showed some signs of potential, with a couple of players running at us with the ball at their feet, but their final ball was lacking and our defence stood firm. We opened the scoring after 15 mins, a neat near post flick from Andre giving us the lead, and soon afterwards an almost identical finish from the same player effectively gave us total control of the game and we never looked back. We were playing well, given the difficult pitch, and all players were attacking with a purpose. The 3rd goal again came from a good attacking build up, this time it was Clyson who benefited, scoring whilst on the slide, sending the ball over the keeper and into the top left hand corner. The oppo were really struggling at the back against our attacks, with Andre proving to be a real handful, sniffing around for his hatrick. The 4th goal came not long before half time, Matt managing to scoop the ball over the keeper with his studs, after hitting the post and the keeper, but they all count ! Half Time 4-0

The half time chat was a little bit surreal as Andre took out his camera and decided to take a photo of myself and him during my inspired pep talk, but the second half started as we ended the first. Within in 2 mins, Andre scored his deserved hatrick, collecting the ball, turning on his right foot and striking with his left into the bottom corner. The 6th goal came only a few mins later, with Andre suffering a crude and heavy tackle on the box, resulting in him stepping up to take it himself, after which he hobbled off. The oppo then showed their immaturity by arsing about, trying lots of flicks and step overs to no effect and with little ability, and the rest of the game petered out. Great 3 points following the previous win against Glyns, and so we are now back on top of the pile and all to play for in the new year. Cup game next week and we have to fancy our chances of progressing.

MOM: Andre

Goals: Andre (4), Clyson, Matt H