Draw of attrition

Back to league action with the return home tie against Alphington Panthers at KGV.Earlier in the season,City had dug deep and secured a hard fought three points away from home.

This was a draw under exactly the same conditions,but not before the brightest of bright starts saw City take the lead after only a minute of play.Tom laid the ball off to Alfie W,who after a short run past a couple of defenders,put a distance shot into the top left hand corner.

The Panthers quickly composed themselves and started to give City some problems,in football as well as physical challenges.They were particularly adept at keeping a  pseudo billiard move of ball,Panther player then City player,in a line,with the ball motionless and the City player frustrated at being held from it.By mid first half the tactics had paid off and the visitors clawed their way back and ahead,having scored two goals.The first from a well taken corner that was difficult to clear,the second more from a defensive mix up.

Before the half ended there were some promising moves with Joe seeing plenty of the ball in the forward position.Unfortunately Josh was on the receiving end of an ankle knock and had to be substituted at halftime.

City came out with intent for the 2nd 30 minutes and were rewarded when Cameron levelled,again with power and from distance,at what would be the final score,2-2.Between that and the final whistle however,two yellow cards were branded,one to each side, by the young referee who also had to endure some harsh criticism from the opposition supporters and disappointingly,Manager. 

In fairness,the decisions were falling evenly between the sides,but the Panthers physical game was evident with Sam P narrowly avoiding needing the Terry Butcher bandage.

Division 1 football is proving to be like this,at least some of the time.The Managers’ summing up,in that City had more than competed on their own,fair,gentlemanly terms, and got a result,was accurate.

The FA Van Gaal board though could probably have been placed in a more strategic place,but the Guvnor was far too polite to offer a suggestion.Man of the Match went to Ewan for tireless running,positional play and endless competing.The Oxford University Department of Physics is looking to redefine the laws of gravity and timespace after Will A cleared the ball for a throw in,above Dad headheight,despite being horizontal on the turf.