Match Report Saturday 17th Febuary

City of London I vs. Natwest

Result 1 - 0

Scorer: Stig (90 mins)

City thought they had a potentially tough match in the bag this week as 4th placed Natwest came to Eltham with only 10 men.

The game kicked off and you wouldn't have known about City's advantage as Natwest battled well and really made City work. The COL firsts constantly failed to click as the away team did well to break down play and retain some possession for themselves. Fortunately for City though, upfront there was no real threat as Natwest were forced to play with one injured stiker against three City defenders!

This was a game that we shouldn't have struggled with, but as City expected to win, our mindset worked against us. Much of the time we spent in possession resulted in attempts at playing the killer ball rather than simple 5 yarders... the reult being that we'd lose possession quickly when we should have just been patient, held the ball and waited for an opening to appear. The first half ended with City not their usual impressive selves.

The second half started much the same but after a few moments COL finally started to take control and produce more chances. JK again came close with a couple of dead balls (after already hitting the post twice in the first half) but it wasn't to be. The oppo defence held strong and City started contemplating dropping their first points of the season.

Never giving up though, City kept applying pressure until the very last minute. And it was in that minute that Carlos was taken out on the left wing winning the greens a final chance of victory. JK stepped up and drove the ball with speed to the back post where Capo was approaching to meet with his head. The ball, headed back just an inch too high, unfortunately hit the woodwork as Capo himself went careering head first into the post! Dropping down a foot from the line, the ball just needed a touch and it was City that reacted first with the almighty Stig barging through the crowd and powering the ball home with his head...

30 seconds to go, 1 nil and a relieved City take their 13th win of 13!

Finally, for those of you who are worried, the post was fine after it's collission with Capo.

No Game

Result 0 - 5

In perfect footballing conditions, on a pitch hidden a 5 min walk into the middle of the woods, COL faced a Fulham side one place below them in the league. The pre match team talk focused on ensuring the 3 points were secured against what should have been a tough Fulham side. With those words ringing in their ears, the 10 outfield players tore into Fulham from the off, and within the first 10 mins we were 2-0 up. The first goal came from a good break down the left by Thomas, who stretched to deliver a high deep cross into the 6 yard box. The back peddling keeper could not hold the cross, and as all good strikers should, Clyson followed up and converted the opportunity. The second goal followed shortly after, a good headed clearance from Mig fell to Andre, who turned and ran at the opposition before striking a low left foot drive that easily beat the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. The opposition was not posing any threat to a well marshaled defence, and the midfield quartet was having an excellent game dominating their opposite man. COL had lots of possession and the front 2 were getting lots of support and this lead to the third goal after 25 mins. More good play down the left from Thomas and Andre saw the ball arrive at the feet of Tom, who proceeded to hit a well placed shot passed the keeper into the right hand corner for his first goal for the club. The rest of the half saw more of the same domination from COL, and it was no surprise when we got our 4th goal just before half time. Mig broke into the box on the right, managed to beat the keeper to the ball but watched it agonisingly roll along the line without going in, so for the second time in 45 mins, Clyson followed up and converted the easiest of chances. HT 0-4

The 2nd half was not one for the purists. A couple of the Fulham team seemed intent on moaning at every opportunity to the ref, and a few of their tackles were on the late side. Tom was unlucky to receive a hefty boot to the face which left a deep cut below the left eye, although this was accidental, and after a few mins he came back onto to complete the game. Again Fulham posed no threat to the tight COL defence, and despite a lot of possession by City down each flank, we could not find the back of the net. The fifth and final goal eventually came in the last 10 minutes, when Andre charged into the box only to be felled by a tackle and the ref pointed straight to the spot. Andre got straight up and scored from the kick, although it was almost saved by the keeper. That was the last action of any merit, and another 3 points were well earned. With 5 games left all is still to play for, especially as Glyns lost at the weekend. We have 4 home games out of the last 5, so how high we finish is still up to us.

Goals: Clyson (2), Andre (2), Tom R

MOM: Andre