The higher you climb!

Sometimes it does seem that a play on the words of a Jimmy Cliff song,the higher you climb,the harder you fall,one and all,could ring true.But one reverse,albeit 5-0,is,not to forget,only the second defeat of the season.With the fervour of the cup semi final a week away,the opposition could be hoodwinked into thinking that we are resting players performances,the true ones ready to be unleashed with the silverware in the sights.

On a sunny morning,Exwick playing fields on the flood plain and within kicking distance of the partially diverted River Exe,provided the setting.The well marked pitch was bumpy with long grass,and retained a slippy surface from residual recent rainfall.To the eye,the playing area was extensive,particularly the width.This did not seem to suit Citys’ style,sweeping the ball wide to the flanks,right and left,Joe and Tom respectively.As St Martins controlled the game,this left the midfield short numerically,and also forced City to back off the opposition attacks.At first this did not lead to the onslaught that followed,as City only fell behind after 10 minutes of play,more due to the ball not being cleared effectively.

But at halftime,the home team had added three more well taken goals that gave our keeper no chance.Many of the efforts were reminiscent of the type of goals seen at home at KGV.At least two great saves by Sam R kept the score down and it’s not to say that City did not enjoy some of the action.Tom went close following one of several accurately delivered Will P corners,Dan was involved in getting as many passing moves going despite midfield isolation,and Cam had two trademark freekicks go agonisingly close.As the ball bobbled just before Alfie W blasted a left foot over the bar,it just was not going to be Citys’day.

City kept the second half score down to a respectable 1-0,a low freekick effort finding the net through a wall of players.Subs Will A and Ryan knuckled down to clear the ball into St Martins half as often as possible.In a nod to the skills of the watching,supporting Sam P,Ewan had several good runs to provide goal threat down the left hand side.Josh and Charlie were jointly nominated as players of the match,for defensive composure and ball distribution,not losing shape,despite the obvious disappointment of the scoreline.