** Midweek update **

Another great training session last night. I know that the mid session drills about running with the ball were quite tricky and some found it easier than others but it is all good training.

 It is in this setting that we can practice and make good those skills that we can then use in games. Practice makes perfect as they say!! 

I start this midweek update with some sad news in that Julen (and Jonathan) will be leaving Central City at the end of the season as they are relocating to Cambridge, Jonathan has an new exciting role with the university. 

I am sure you will all agree that this will be quite a blow to our team and we will wish them every happiness in their new chapter. 

 Julen will continue to play for Central until the end of the season and hopefully in the summer tournaments. 

However Jonathan will not be able to be on the touch line as much as he would wish. This leaves the need to see if anyone else would be happy/willing/able to take on the role of writing the match report. I am sure you will agree that Jonathan has set a high bench mark, but would be grateful of anyone taking this on. Any offers grateful received!!

As I type the plans for Saturday are that we will play at HOME against Okehampton on Saturday. 

We have confirmed a pitch at KGV and the only thing that can spoil this is the weather. If the pitches are not suitable (inspected on Friday) then we might need to switch to play at Okehampton but I will confirm either way by text. 

The starting 9 for the match will be: 

Goal Keeper – Sam R © 

Defence – Sam P, Cameron & Will A Midfield – Joe, Will P, Alfie W & Julen Striker – Ryan 

Starting subs: Oscar & Alfie R 

You will see that we are missing Dan on Saturday due to other commitments so have had to juggle the midfield and striker positions a bit. 

As is now our style of play we hope that this will offer us a strong and solid defensive set up but at the same time a quick and dynamic attacking formation when we have the ball. 

We will be looking again for players such as Sam P and Cameron to be quick to push forward in attacking play and utilise our speed and strength from set piece plays. 

Sam Richeson has been handed the captains arm band for the next two matches. Sam has applied himself well to training and to matches and has been a very solid and reliable member of the Central team throughout this season so far, well done Sam. 

Okay subject to the weather and fitness of the pitches I will see you at KGV on Saturday for a 10am warm up and match preparation. 

Cheers 

Mark 

 PS – Please don’t forget the race Night on Saturday, sadly am not able to make it due to work commitments, but I hope some of you will be able to go, it is meant to be a great night, a nice fund raiser for the club and fun night for all the family!!

Mid-week training focus

Hi everyone Weather looking good for tomorrow evening, be great to see you all there. The focus for the midweek session will be running with the ball. Sounds easy but will be good to practice this skill under pressure as you would in match situations. See you tomorrow at 6pm at St Lukes Cheers Mark

Top Ten City Overrun Lympets

After an enforced winter break of 2 months, Central City finally got back to playing a competitive match, albeit on astroturf, and ran out comprehensive 10-1 winners against Lympstone Lympets in windswept conditions.

After the deluge of rain in recent weeks, City racked up a deluge of goals, scoring 5 in each half. Despite the adverse conditions, City played some delightful football with excellent passages of passing and movement and some clinical finishing. It was a scoreline which in no way flattered the visitors and only the woodwork and a quite brilliant second-half save from the Lympets 'keeper prevented City from inflicting further damage.

Having not played a competitive match since before Xmas, it was a surprise when City fell behind to an early goal, the Lympets forward taking advantage of a clearance from the 'keeper which got held up in the wind. Less than 60 seconds later, City were level with Alfie W notching the first of a personal quadruple. As the half wore on, City gradually dominated and a brace from Cameron, another Alfie W shot and a cute finish from Joe meant City went into the break 5-1 to the good.

The second half continued in a similar vein, Alfie W soon extending the lead, but with despite several chances coming and going, the scoreline stayed at 6-1 going into the final 15 minutes. City then rattled in 4 more goals, Dan getting the final touch to a scrambled effort, Cameron firing in from distance for a superb hat-trick, Alfie W claiming his 4th with a low shot across the 'keeper before a mis-hit shot from Julen was helped into the net by a Lympets defender to round off the scoring.

All in all, it was an outstanding team effort with City always trying to keep the ball on the ground, passing to feet and making some delightful moves down both touchlines. City were always quicker to the ball, anticipating well and breaking forward at pace. For once, it was a performance matched by fantastic finishing and was ample reward for all the indoor training of the past few weeks.

Man of the Match went to Julen for the ultimate captain's performance, combining some lovely intricate wing-play full of flicks and tricks but always looking to set up a teammate and create chances. Well done Julen!

Saturdays Match at Okehampton!

Thanks to everyone for being so flexible and accommodating with all of this awful weather. 

Whilst I am sure we would all rather be playing at KGV this weekend the pitches are still underwater and not fit for play. 

Okehampton have kindly offered to host us, it was a lucky pitch for us earlier in the season so lets hope it will be this time. 

Heavy rain is forecast overnight and into the morning so we will need to be prepared for heavy playing conditions and lots of mud!! 

 So the starting team will be: 

 Goal Keeper – Sam R 

Defence – Sam P, Cameron and Oscar 

Midfield – Joe, Dan, Will P and Julen © 

Striker – Alfie W 

 Starting Subs – Ryan, Alfie R & Will A 

 As before we will try and rotate the team to make it fair for everyone, it would be good if everyone can come with waterproof jackets to stay warm and dry if substitute. 

It will be windy and raining tomorrow, the second half will be hard work so the substitutes will play a crucial role. If there are any problems please get in touch this evening or first thing tomorrow morning. 

Fingers crossed!! 

 Mark

Just a thought!

Hello everyone I am sure that, like me, you have fingers and toes crossed that the match against Okehampton will be on this Saturday. 

 This will depend on the condition of the pitch at King George V which will be inspected on Friday lunchtime. 

I have made contact today with the manager from Okehampton to say that we are looking forward to welcoming him and his team. 

 He has made a kind suggestion that if the pitches at KGV are not playable then they would be happy to host us at Okehampton rather than having to postpone yet another game. By all accounts the drainage is pretty good at their ground. 

Would welcome any thoughts or suggestions at training on Wednesday or by text. If this was an option I am sure that we could arrange to car share if that makes it easier. 

Anyhow just wanted to float the suggestion, lets hope that KGV is playable. 

See you at training on Wednesday 

Mark