Story of the Blues - Part 2

A meet at KGV on Saturday morningwas the only familiar flavour,as it was8.30am,a mini bus was boarded and the Sat Nav set for EX39.The weather closed in on the link road as “Its grim up north” came on the radio.There was no let up to conditions and the match was played in a strong on shore breeze with virtually persistent cold rain falling.The pitch miraculously survived an inspection,draining better than the nearby golf course.

The aforementioned had been inspected half an hour before when the navigation had presumed our game was golf,not football.There was a danger of making the headlines on the news pages of the Sunday Independent, rather than the sports pages. (Check out the latter for a professional match report).The reporter would have observed “Psycho chef attacks southerners mini bus for trashing the oldest golf links in the land”

There was nothing below par about the action that followed.City rapidly adapted to the conditions,finding telling passes and organised a no nonsense defence.Sam P opened the scoring within a couple of minutes with a left foot shot from distance,Alfie W then added a brace,and City were three nil to the good at halftime.The Blues looked stunned,but still had City watching on as they stuck to their coaching style,rattling the advertising hoardings on several occasions,as the ball skimmed off the wet surface.The Blues started winning a series of corners which City had to contend with,so it was a mixture of relief and well earned rest and respite,back in the away changing room for 5 minutes.

City trotted out with confidence for the second half but Bideford started well.Sam R was called upon again and again,the ball sticking to his gloves like glue,and turning  several searching efforts over the bar.There was a certain amount of inevitability that the home side got a goal back,just after a line saving move by Josh.But to Citys’ great credit that was the only time they netted,and as the game drew to a close,Alfie W slipped his marker and calmly rounded the keeper.It was one of those moments when you just wish a massive scoreboard was lit up:Blues 1,Visitors 4.That seemed the only missing feature of the excellent facilities and hospitality.

Tom edged the Man of the Match award (plus Alfie W and Sam R in the Independent). But everyone played such a massive part in this historic victory.They had not lost a competitive match for 18 months according to their coach.City may have taken the field to the Mighty Wah’s “Story of the Blues” but after the handshakes,the strains of David Bowies’ “Heroes” echoed .