Match Report Saturday 14th October

Sinjuns Grammarians v. City Of London I

Result 0 - 1

Saturday’s game versus Sinjuns Grammarians in Wandsworth was played on a narrow pitch on a bright sunny day. The oppo had a little pressure in the first 10 minutes, but no chances worthy of the name. The first clear cut chance came on 15 minutes when Jay raced through on goal, only to show the touch of a Rhinoceros, toeing the ball out for a goal kick when he should have tested the keeper. The game was pretty competitive and Sinjuns had one or 2 younger players with no little amount of attitude. City struggled to play flowing football but were on top for the remainder of the half, forcing several corners and threatening from Locky’s long throws. The breakthrough came on the stroke of half time when a good corner was whipped in by Jay and Capo losing his man rose unmarked to head firmly into the roof of the net from 5 yards. A great time to score and a deserved lead.

The game got a little niggly in the second half, and a couple of the Sinjuns players were clearly letting the stress of the GCSE re-sits play upon their mind. This resulted in them being less focussed on their game than should have been the case. City were calmness personified and just got on with the game. Their keeper made a good save from a Bayo 25 yarder as City pressed forward looking for the killer goal.

Rob C replaced Capo and Timbo came on for Jay. In the last 20 mins, City really should have put the game to bed. Fitzy inextricably had an airshot with the goal gaping (= jug) and Tim also spurned a couple of good opportunities, including one where he blasted straight at the keeper from 5 yards (also = jug!)

Sinjuns had little in the way of chances at the other end, although they forced a couple of good situations down the right flank, only to fail to deliver the killer ball. Both sides tired late on, but City, having switched to 4-4-2 for the last 10 mins, held firm for an important win and a fourth clean sheet on the trot. 4 wins out of 4 and 12 points in the bag. Long may it continue.

Goal: Capo

MOM: shared between Reevo and Locky

Result 2 - 3

Defeat snatched from the jaws of victory on saturday. Twice ahead, twice pinned back by a determined meads outfit, finally succumbing to a sucker punch as the clubs hitherto unblemished record took its first knock.

A slow start in the midday kickoff allowed the visitors to take the initiative,the odd spark from dazza keeping the home fans interested. The games drift was halted in stunning style, keane's tenacity putting sage clear on the right, a peach of a cross thumped in by the salmon like mikey z giving the keeper no chance. Game on.

A warning though of the travails to follow from the restart, as meads strolled unhindered to the edge of the box. Similar defensive dereliction of duty led to the equaliser, meads given the run of the penalty area, to swing a shot into the corner of the net.

A more energetic start to the second half went rewarded, more sage trickery winning a pen, which he duly converted.

Time to hit the self-destruct button. Two needless free kicks conceded, the first swung in and a looping croatia type header to peg us back the 2-2, the second flipped into an unguarded net as the wall was being aligned. Both barrels unloaded south, a final onslaught went unrewarded with hibby pulling off a couple of saves to spare further embarrassment.

Much work to be done for next week although good to see the fortunes of a couple of the lads taking a turn for the better in the roadhouse later on.

Mom John Whitworth

Result 4-0

Goals: PG (3), Pont

MOM: PG

Another Saturday, more perfect playing conditions, and COL 3rds continued their excellent start to the season with a pretty comfortable 3 points, and more importantly, a clean sheet. The previously generous defence was water tight which meant that yours truly had a pretty easy ride apart from claiming a couple of crosses. As has been typical so far this season, we started very quickly and were playing the ball down both flanks at will and exposing the somewhat static defence of the opposition right from the first attack. The first goal came 10 mins into the game, PG receiving the ball with his back to the goal, taking a few steps to his right before firing in a shot that bent away from the keeper at pace and into the right hand corner of the net. COL pushed on and created many chances for ourselves and it seemed only a matter of time before a second would come. It nearly came courtesy of their centre half who inexplicably decided to blast the ball towards his own goal but to be denied by the woodwork. More chances came our way but we were unable to find the back of the net and were growing a bit frustrated when finally the second goal came. An excellent through ball from Graeme found PG who then drove forward, beat the defender then rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net from a tight angle. HT 2-0

The second half was very similar to the first, with COL having the lions share of possession, and with the downhill slope and the wind behind, we were never really troubled by the opposition. The third came after about 15 mins, when Pont grabbed the chance to roll the ball into the empty net, and even when all 3 subs on the pitch, we were never under any pressure. A few more chances were created before we got the fourth, and finally, after scoring a brace in 2 of the last 3 games, PG rounded the keeper and almost reluctantly completed his hatrick. The rest of the game ended pretty quietly, and when the whistle went (after 5 mins of ‘injury’ time!!!), it was a very pleasing result and a comfortable afternoon. Next week the Cup !!