Match Report 22/09/2007

City I

Result OId Wokingians 1 City 0

MOM: Tom Livermore

Saturday's game was a rude awakening for City in the new division, playing against an opposition who would rather kick City players than the actual ball. The first half came and went with it soon becoming apparent that Wokingians weren't going to be playing by the book and the referee wasn't going to make any objections. The City team left slightly shell shocked seemed out of sorts and unable to enforce their own flowing style upon the match... rarely stringing more than a few passes together.

As the half progressed, the oppo continued to take advantage of an off-pace City but rarely threatened the goal with any clear cut chances... Tom superb as ever between the sticks clearing anything up that did get through.

With the ref non-existent, the tackles got worse as tempers flared. City taking note, they fought back with Stig winning everything in the midfield, frustrating the Opposition evermore. Shrinking violets Reevo and Capo got uncharacteristically involved in a pushing match or two as a fair Reevo tackle resulted in an irate Wokingian team!

0-0 at half time.

The second half came and City showed they could do the ugly stuff too, giving as good as they got and battling hard. A quick start almost lead to City taking the lead as Tim Darted down the wing to pop a ball across to Carlos, a great connection but his volley went agonisingly over. A few more chances for each team but nothing significant in front of goal as the second half played out - any shots from Wokingians were batted away with ease by a collosal Livermore in goal.

Then came a bad blow for City, the Woking right winger made a break and watched his shot get saved brilliantly by Tom - a lucky bounce for the oppo and the right winger was able to pull it back for Wokingian's mouthiest player. He took it well and with 10 minutes to go, it was a great time to score. Wokingians celebrated in style by jumping on the scorer and calling City 'c*nts'.

City pushed on in the last ten minutes but Wokingians continued to battle unpunished... Stig taking a blow to the face via a left hook and Rob taking a studded lunge at the thigh at almost exactly the same time - the ball not even that close to either of them!

City came close to an equaliser shortly after as a battle-torn Stig headed just wide of goal - it wasn't to be, City lose 1-0. The chances came City’s way but they simply failed to convert any of them which is costly in this league.

A disappointing result but a motivating one all the same as the City team know what to expect when Wokingians turn up to Norbury.

Result 6 - 0

Scorers - Kebabbe 2, Moulton 2, Yapp, Craig

MoM - Moulton

The 2s opened their account with a decent win on Saturday at the new Norbury home ground.

The first whistle of the 07/08 season signalled game on and we started brightly, giving an early indication of the free-flowing football our home crowd and new ownership demanded close season. While we had much the better of possession and territory though the all important first goal stubbornly refused to come to the party. Lost on the way to the ground, engineering works at London Bridge or a bad hair-day, who knows. Craig rapped the post and Andre sent a headed chance wide of the upright, giving the visitors some encouragement that it could be their day looking to hit us on the break.

It was then when Yappy stepped up to the plate and decided enough was enough, picking the ball up wide, giving and going and carrying on going, the wall pass hitting his stride, a little shimmy and calmness personified finish. Keeper powerless, tension relieved.

Growing in confidence the chances arrived like London buses on Waterloo Bridge, and soon Craig opened his account for the season, almost a carbon copy of Yappy's effort, the old one-two, dancing shoes and a pearler of a curler for the second. Moulton having had a chance seconds earlier from a diving header from Andre's raking cross seconds earlier made amends latching onto Moriety's free-kick to doink a downward boomer into the onion bag. Making friends with Andre, Moultsy then played an elongated 40 yard 1-2 with the Brazillian maestro out wide, hitting the return with a some venom, almost Hasselbaink-esque, on the volley to make it 4.

Half-time and the start of the second half gave the visitors renewed vigour and they went close a couple of times early on. Fortunately Boydy was marshalling the troops well with Whitworth impressing in his new right back berth, playing through the pain barrier like the big brave soldier he is. With Stuart looking confident between the sticks, pulling off a couple of one on one saves and a top drawer tip onto the bar, the all important blob was maintained. It was time for Kebabbe to get in on the action. Otis came on to add a sprinkle of trickery in the middle and Mikey Z moved into the middle at the back. More chances came and Kebabbe gleefully snapped up a couple of the more difficult efforts a driller from the edge of the penalty area and a half volley crashed in off the post, opening up his account for the new season with a brace and no little aplomb.

Newcastle Brown, half a plate of sandwiches and time gentlemen please at 10 to 6 to celebrate.

Let the good times roll.

Result 1 - 2

City of London 3 v St. Mary's 3

City started well with easy passing and a clear dominance in the first 10. Lots of chasing down and presure resulted in a back line error gifting the ball to Andy Ryder just inside the 18 yard box with the keeper stranded and the defense in nowhere land. 1 nil.

City took their foot of the gas and Mary's got a hold of central area. Strong City defending meant little threatened the City goal till Mig the Hapless let a long distance toe poke squeeze in at the near post. 1 - 1

Around half-time Mary's were gifted with too much time and space and some confusion clearing our lines allowed Mary's behind the back line to drive a cross along the 6 yard line which was met by their right wing. 1 - 2

Much to improve on.

• Match Report 15/09/2007