Draw for the New Year: Part 2

Finally,a seeming end to the constant falling rain leading to postponements this season.A welcome dry cold day saw City play their return away league fixture against Colyton.The location,a flat flood plain like rural outlook,was perfectly level but reportedly bumpy.City did not have a bumpy ride as such but there was to be no repeat of the home 7-1 thrashing.

City were a goal down almost immediately following a little early spell of Colyton pressure.A decent punch out by Noah fell to a red strikers feet and City fell behind.As the home side took up a defensive position to protect their lead,a pattern repeated throughout the match,City players could be forgiven for getting confused looking at a magic puzzle,such was the illusion created by the red and white blend of the six amassed Colyton players lining up at the back (copyright S Tapp).

20 minutes in and City were level.Cameron dispatched a freekick goalwards from 25 yards out and Will P deflected it to the right corner.It provided impetus for the away side and they started to enjoy more of the play.As the tables turned again though,despite two excellent Noah saves,the home team restored their lead with a decent strike.

The second half saw many chances go begging at either end,numerically more to City,who at times frustratingly abandoned their passing game as the minutes ticked and they looked to level or steal the points.Given Colytons defensive stance,a numerical offense may have paid more dividends as single players couldn’t run through them all.It was a relief when Alfie cleanly hit an equaliser and a relief when the City defence held their nerve on the rare Colyton breaks.A snatched shot at the end demonstrated how close City were to losing on another day.

The Managers’ Men of the Match were Oner and the returning from a long spell on the sidelines Dylan whose presence made the full squad available for the first time in a long time.With much more football left this season,that squad number will prove key.

The next few weeks

Hello everyone

Hope that you are all well and had a good half term breaks.

Training on Wednesday will be from 6pm to 7pm as normal, should be a good session.

We also welcome back Dylan after his long injury lay off, I am sure like me you will be really pleased to see him back in a Central shirt, the away match against Bideford during which the injury occurred seems like such a long time ago.  Welcome back Dylan.

It seems to me that the league admin is in a bit of a mess and I would ask for your patience.  Matches are being re-arranged left right and centre, the league website is all muddled up and frankly it seems a bit unsettled.

However as things stand this is the schedule for the next few weeks.

Saturday 27^th February AWAY v’s Colyton Redsocks

Saturday 5^th March AWAY v’s Okehampton

Saturday 12^th March NO FIXTURE

Saturday 19^th March HOME v’s Copplestone.

All kick off’s at 10.30am unless you hear different from me.

Hope that helps, please let me know if you cannot play or if you need a lift for your son. 

Kind regards

Mark

The big Derby!!

Hi everyone,

What a great training session we had last night, many thanks to all the boys for really focusing and making it such a good session last night.

 

We even had a fly past from the International Space Station (eventually!!)

 

Just wanted to say hello and to say I have fingers and toes crossed that our derby game against our friends at Central United is going to survive the pitch inspection tomorrow. 

 

We will be missing Charlie for this match and of course Dylan who remains injured.

 

Dan will be the captain for the second match on Saturday, always showing great attitude and great leadership, well done Dan.

I don’t know if you feel the same but this season has felt a ‘bitty’ one so far, but lets hope that we can have a run of games now.

 

We have games now most Saturdays so please check in for updates.

 

There will not be training next Wednesday (17^th February) as it is half term and I think everyone will benefit from a rest.

 

I hope to be able to announce soon a new kit sponsor for next season as I am aware that some of the tops especially are a bit tight now!!

 

Hope to see you all on Saturday, I will confirm either way tomorrow.

 

Regards

 

Mark

Draw for the new year

City were well matched and played out a competitive fixture against St Martins at home at KGV.It was the first league action since a draw at Sidmouth over six weeks before and the only match played between was a facile drubbing of the younger Central Redstar in a one sided friendly.

On a very heavy pitch,the fixture was probably in doubt right up to the last minute,and with longish grass as well to tire the legs,Citys’ training and fitness was evident as they kept going to the end.

St Martins stall was set out early,playing from the back and pressing forward with some fluency.City rode an early warning as a freekick sailed over the bar.Attrition seemed to be the apt descriptive word for most of the tight first half,Charlie getting some joy running the right wing from fullback and a series of throw ins often saw City gain ground.However,with little quarter given,it was a relief when Will P found some space and opened the scoring with a looping right footer in what was virtually the first real attack of the game.

Noah was once again called upon to be alert,showing great handling and kicking as City maintained the single goal lead to halftime.Tom O was subbed on as Dan limped off ,fortunately able to return to the affray in the second half.Sustained St Martins pressure was evident and the whistle blew to signal a welcome break.

City saw more of the play in the second half and started to put more passing moves together albeit under difficult playing conditions.Will P followed the Lee Holmes model,landing Citys’ first corner of the game inswinging onto the bar.But as City played slightly deep,St Martins came on to them and levelled the score with a looping shot.

Almost immediately though the lead was restored when Cam put a through ball over the defence and Alfie persisted enough to worry the defenders off the ball and scoop it into the right corner.Despite close freekicks from Cam and Josh,City were caught out allowing a midfield run to go unchallenged for the final result,2-2.There was still time for both Toms to go close near the end but on reflection it was a fair result.The effort gave a team Men of the Match award,so well done Noah,Sam,Charlie,Cameron,Josh,Will P,Dan,Tom D,Ewan,Will A,Alfie,Joe,Tom O and Oner and the spirit of Dylan,back to light training.