Blues end cup hopes at first hurdle

It was always going to be a tough game given the nature of the tough draw when City were drawn out of the hat against Bideford Blues in the first round of the leagues cup competition.A quick glance at the league results that Bideford Blues have enjoyed this season so far suggests they are well back to their very best,an elite academy standard set up.

Given that,the playing surface was somewhat disappointing,dry,hard ground,very uneven and bumpy.It would have benefitted from some irrigation though not necessarily that afforded a farmers field on the homeward bound link road detour.

So to the match:First half City played extremely well,starting very positively and forcing the Blues to review their concentration.It was a very evenly balanced half and when Alfie was hauled down in the box,the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.Charlie stepped up to the plate (maybe also in anticipation of our next cup exploits) and dispatched a low shot close to the left post.Just like before,City found themselves ahead at Bidefords’ home ground,a position few,if any teams,could boast too often before,if at all.There was not so much an inevitability of a fairly immediate equaliser,but more a trait of failing to clear from defence and allowing the homeside space and fluency on the ball.Bad luck then intervened as Dylan,on a good goalkeeping performance,was unable to continue right on the stroke of halftime due to falling awkwardly on the hard ground.

With Tom O admirably and bravely stepping in between the sticks,the Blues led a second half onslaught that no one could contain adding five more goals to their tally.But this had quite a lot to do with the fact that City had forced the Blues Manager to warn of complacency against a side more than capable of competing.Blues supporters (Dads) were very complementary of Citys resilience and defensive quality.Tom went close towards the end and City enjoyed a consolation injury time second goal when Alfie netted,seizing on a rare Bideford mistake.

So,no disgrace in defeat for an early cup exit and a singing busload DJ’d by Will ‘scratch’Aggett on the way home reiterated the absence of any loss of team spirit-although the front of the bus could only identify “Buffalo Girls”,fortunately not going around the outside.A spirit exemplified by Man of the Match Ewans’ captaincy and example.