Match Report Saturday 25th November

City of London I

No Report

Game Cancelled

Result 1 - 4

Despite the threat of cancellation, and the efforts of the groundsman to call the game off just over an hour before kick off, the 3rds game away against Glyns went ahead on Saturday. This game was much anticipated, the 2nd placed team taking on the 3rd placed. This was set up to be the toughest game of the season, away against a team who had won all of their games, scored plenty of goals and had conceded only 5. The game kicked off in blue skies and on a pretty decent pitch, and COL were out of the blocks from the off. We started with a very high tempo which was maintained for the majority of the half, and the oppo were a bit shell shocked as we flooded them with quick, accurate passing, excellent movement and consistent support. The midfield 4 of Tom, Matt, Rich and Wes dominated possession, well supported by a rock solid defence, and the front pairing of PG and Clyson were causing all sorts of trouble, so it was only a matter of time before we created some chances. Both wingers were seeing plenty of the ball and enjoying the better of their opposite man, and it was from a good cross out on the right from Wes that saw the first clear cut chance, a downward header from Clyson scrambled away by the defender on the line. However he was not to be denied and the same 2 players combined for the first goal. A quick break down the right gave Wes time to ping in an excellent cross to the back post, where Clyson out muscled the defence to plant a firm header back across the keeper into the far corner. We continued to dominate play, and 5 mins later we went 2-0 up, PG receiving the ball after good work in the middle of the park, running into the box, passed the keeper and beat the man on the line with ease to notch his 15th goal of the season. Our defence were spectators during this period of play as we carved open the oppo at will. One move in particular highlighted this, with the ball moving rapidly from the back, first time passes, a back heel from Clyson but for once PG could not provide the finish. The 3rd goal came after 30 mins, another first time through ball from the right split their defence, Clyson ran through and despite losing his footing at the moment of impact, was still able to finish well, placing the ball past the advancing keeper into the far corner. We did take our foot of the gas a little during the closing minutes of the half, but this was the best 45 mins we had put in this season.

The second half was a much tighter contest, as was predicted during the half time talk, with Glyns making substitutions that gave them a lot more fight in the middle of the park. It was they who started the 2nd half the better, breaking in numbers and causing our defence to be on the back foot for the first time. They did pull a goal back after 5 mins, although somewhat fortunate. A break down our left lead to a cross, which then took a wicked deflection that caused the ball to spoon up high in the air. In normal weather, this would have cleared the cross bar, but the wind held the ball up and it dropped into the empty net. This was then followed by a 10 min period of Glyns attacking with some purpose, creating some half chances and looking like a previously unbeaten team. However we weathered this pressure and started to get more into the game, and soon we retained our 3 goal cushion. Being impartial that I am, I cannot write this without stating for the record that our 4th goal should not have been allowed. If it was not enough that PG received the ball in an offside position, the fact that he then passed to an even more offside Rich who stroked the ball into the net fully expecting the whistle that never came was even more baffling. Everyone on both sides were confused, but we accepted this early Xmas present with gratitude. To be fair to Glyns they never gave up and did create some more decent chances. However their final push was deflated somewhat following what can only be described as the worst miss I have ever witnessed in 12 seasons of playing for COL. The oppo broke down the right, a good cross arrived at a totally unmarked Glyns player on the 6 yard box. He had time to control the ball, smoke a fag, read most of War & Peace whilst deciding which foot he was going to score with, but instead decided to try and finish first time only to see the ball bobble away lamely for a goal kick. This really was the end of the game as a contest, and the final 20 mins ended in a stalemate. Many noteable performances during this game with everyone giving their all right from the start. The back four of Jim, Birko, Mig and Thomas handled the oppo’s attacks very well throughout, the midfield battled excellently, especially in the 2nd half but it was their dominance in the 1st half that set the platform for the win, the subs Mark and Andre performed very well and did not weaken us in any way, and PG upfront was his usual menace. But special mention must go to Big Clyson, the elder statesman of the team who put in the best 45 mins I have seen from him during the first half, his link up play was good, and he took his goals very well and should have had a hatrick.

Well done to all, great morale boosting performance. Next week attention turns to the cup against aunty Beeb.

Goals: Clyson (2), PG, Rich F

MOM: Clyson