Match Report Saturday 11th November

City of London I vs Old Tenisonians

Result 2 - 0

Scorers: JK, Fitzy

MOM: Tom Livermore

A tough game this week against one of the better teams in the league saw a dogged and battling performance from the City 1sts. Only flashes of the usual flowing football shone through in the first half as the team came under more pressure defensively than they're used to. An unfortunate defensive error from Reevo almost lead to City going down one nil but a fantastic save by Tom in the sticks denied the home team the lead. Growing stronger as half time neared, a great move down the right saw JK beat the Oppo's left back and fire a cross onto the head of an approaching Aussie. Timmy rose to connect well with his head but a great diving save held the teams level pegging. Five minutes later and a sharp move down the centre saw Fitzy jockey the ball until the cavalry came. A diagonal run into the box was made, Fitzy popped the ball through. A precise first time strike put City one up - J.K a.k.a put the ball away, did it for another day... hooray.

The second half started with more pressure from Tenisonians who continued to fight for the equaliser. Stig and Saint in midfield performing tirelessly to break up any oncoming attacks followed by a steady back quartet of Capo, Boydy, Reevo and Tom clearing up any moves that breached through. More fighting and gritty play followed as City worked hard to nullify the Tenisonian midfield and attack. That elusive second goal finally came as Fitzy twisted and turned on the edge of the area before lashing the ball low and hard to the bottom left of the goal. The keeper couldn't make it down in time leaving the ball to fly in off the post. 2 nil and a much needed cushion for the last 10 minutes of the game. City managed to hold strong and keep their record of only 2 goals conceded in the league.

Not the most beautiful game in City colours but one of the most important against a tough opposition. Steady performances throughout the team proved we can grind out results in the ugly games as well as the pretty ones. Well done to all.

Result 0 - 2

MoM Birko

Football is a fickle mistress and at the moment all the 2's are getting is a peck on the cheek at the end of the night.

Determined to avoid the misfiring start of the week before, we were on our straps from the off. Forcing a succession of chances and corners, Ben and Dazza were both denied by top drawer saves and Si and Paul looked to be getting a fair bit of encouragement up front. Swerve was also relishing a free role, conducting proceedings in the middle of the park. After 20 minutes of knocking on the door surely it was a matter of time before the goal came. It was, unfortunately it came at the wrong end, the back four caught too square, a lob into space run onto by the visitor's striker who flipped a neat finish into the back of the net. Work to be done then.

As with the week before, heads did not drop and with Robbie pulling the strings in midfield, Carl industrious on the right and Mikey Z a rock at the back the half time team talk was more of the same please.

Unfortunately again, goals win games and the job of work was doubled when a Broms corner found its way to their skipper lurking on the angle of the area, who pulled off a Cantona-esque finish to notch the visitor's second.

Plenty of time to go but with the visitors showing no little fight, things got too frenetic too early, trying one thing too many to try and unpick the lock. When things were kept simple and the ball moved quickly, it looked like we could get back into the game. The mercurial Kabbabe had a couple of shots saved and flipped a great chance just wide of the post from an Andrews nod on. Robbie went close with a piledriver and shouts for a penalty after a nudge on sub Andre again went unheeded (not too much argument with that one admittedly). The game petered out to the final whistle and with us going for broke the away side had a couple of chance on the break to add insult to injury.

So another setback but a long way to go. Positives to be taken, lessons to be learnt. Not too many trophies handed out this side of Christmas so come on.

The welcome distraction of the Cup beckons next Saturday, no better to bounce back at Fortress Eltham. Slingshots compulsory.

Result 2 - 6

A last minute scramble to get 11 on the pitch in time for kick off saw a fully kitted Mig driving back and forth to the station. Terry "Dependently Late" Edwards arrived just in time, as Mig was debating a hundred tactical systems to cope. The new look central midfield partnership of the industrious Matty Holland and Tom Rolph ensured the oppo had little time on the ball in the centre of the park and allowed us to keep the ball, play some neat one-two stuff to involve both wings, and ensure the oppo spent most of their time defending. A make shift defence, that included Andy Keane and even Pont in the second half, led by Andy "the Rock" Pamphillon, looked good all the way through.

Pier G got the first goal, showing lightning pace to nip in between the keeper and the last defender to walk the ball in. The second came shortly after, with yours truly "calmly" slotting a penalty home. Pier made it three a few minutes later, with his second of the match, a cracking early shot which left the keeper stranded. At this point, understandably (and admittedly typically for City III at times this season) we took our foot off the gas for 10 minutes or so. The oppo threatened and did get a goal that they just about deserved, to make it 3-1. However, again typically for City III's, it spurred us into action - but for some sloppy finishing (mainly from myself!) we would have had another before half time. Nevertheless we went into the break pretty comfortable.

In the second half it didn't take long for us to get going - we had a couple of opportunities before a bullet/looping header from myself made it 4-1. Matty Holland tried to claim it, but unfortunately for him I am writing this match report! The oppo did get another, but before they could mount any type of comeback, Pier G got this third and best goal - a great lob over the keeping leaving him stranded; 5-2 and game over. To end any doubt, Dave O'Conner underlined a great performance at this point with a inspired run from defence, beating three people and unleashing a ferocious shot. It took a slight deflection but it was going in anyway!

In the last few minutes the oppo had a couple of chances, and in truth the ref should have awarded them a penalty - but by then the game was over, three points for City, and normality restored.

MOM - Pier Giorgio.

Goals - Pier x 3, Richard x 2 (yes that's right Matty Holland, 2) and Dave O'Conner