Points and goal difference boost!

Two match reports once again as City start to get through a busy timetable of rearranged fixtures prolonging the season.

First up was an away fixture at the now familiar Copplestone ground,a 10am kick off on,appropriately,St Georges day.On a good flat pitch that had dried out in the cold wind,Copplestone United kicked off facing,once again,eleven English knights,no substitute available.Stand in goalie Josh gave an early indication of what was needed with three great confident saves before City hit their stride.

First up,Will P sent in a close near post corner.Exeter Citys’ top goalscorer of a couple of seasons back popped up as 12th man to deflect it in.Good old OG.The hard ground was making for fast ball movement and City were at their best just as last time,passing out of defence and through midfield.The home side levelled on the half hour though when the ball broke kindly for a finely executed effort.This only served as a catalyst for what followed.

In the final ten minutes,Cameron tested the fixtures and fittings,well the Copplestone right post,rattling a freekick against it from just inside their half.Then City went a goal up again as the aforementioned passing game sent Tom D away to lob the keeper from distance.The impetus continued after halftime,1-3 as Will A netted from just outside the box,Dan did so from a crosstype ball from the right and finally Oner crowned a Captains’ performance by latching on to a through ball from midfield to finish in style.

A consolation goal right at the end meant a final score of 2-5,Ewan earning the Man of the Match award for resiliance in the face of battle,to politely put it.

Two days later it was back to KGV for an evening KO against Central United in the return Derby.In extremely windy conditions,after a professional line up handshake the match got underway with City playing away from the carpark.A temporary stoppage by the ref was called in order for United to sport green bibs,the new City kit still providing something of a colour clash.As great a relief to those watching at home in black and white as it was for City to have Noah back between the sticks and Josh outfield plus one sub to alleviate injuries or tired limbs.

If anything both sides played best when facing the wind but as this was City in the first half,they continued their fine run of form.A brace from Alfie settled the nerves and with Charlie and Dan faster than exercising greyhounds, the half ended with a three goal advantage,good old OG popping up again to turn in a fine Sam cross.

United enjoyed more of the play in the second half and City had to maintain their defensive discipline.Following a well worked United goal,City went on to score five once again and for the third game in a row.First Alfie secured his hat trick with a neat touch in front of goal and then Tom D lit the fuse for the firework celebrations by striking a sweet shot from just inside the United half which skyrocketed into the roof of the net and enough to secure the Man of the Match award.

So 15 goals in three games with three in reply and three more to play,City look the team in form once again.

  

Two for the price of one!

Mixed fortunes as league games continue. April 2016 

Two match reports for the price of one as City continued their league campaign with a midweek Wednesday evening fixture at home to Sidmouth followed by a conventional Saturday morning encounter away vs West Exe.

Wednesday evening, dry and pleasant, saw City 0-4 down at half time to a well organised, quick and physical Sidmouth side. The pattern of the game was set out early when Tom D needed to execute a goal line clearance and Cameron put in a telling tackle in order to keep the away side at bay. Despite City putting a few passes together and a notable Will P screamer just going wide, the visitors opened the scoring with a rapid left wing break.

City capitulated in the 5 minutes before half time when Sidmouth netted a further 3 goals and a deflated home team needed a rousing team talk from the manager and coach over the orange slices.

What followed was a completely different second half as City stepped up several gears to more than match their opponents. Despite only scoring once, a great effort from Alfie from the left hand side over the competant goalkeeper, there were plenty of goalmouth scrambles where City could have added to their tally another day. A fine Josh free kick near the end was well saved.

City continued in this fine spirit at Barton Fields against West Exe on Saturday morning. Despite the perceived handicap of exactly eleven players available for selection, this if anything, acted as a catalyst for the performance of the season so far ( confirmed in the post match de-brief by coach John B).

On level dry ground City passed the ball with accuracy and confidence, playing a variable 3-5-2 formation where everyone stayed true to their position. Their reward was a hatful of goals starting with a brace from Alfie, Dan making it 3 when he ran on from a Cameron free kick. Alfie completed his hat trick just before half time following tenacious midfield play by Will P with a calm finish. 

The second half saw City complete the rout 0-5, a fourth for Man of the Match Alfie following midfield trickery by fellow Man of the Match, Dan. But all the players stepped up to the plate and were exceptional, particularly in the footsteps of Wednesdays disappointment.           

Bright start in loss to Bideford

Despite starting a second fixture without regular goalkeeper Noah,City were in a good state of mind following a win last time at home to Copplestone.

This game it was Sam who filled in between the posts before Josh took over for the last half hour.Both did well and had no chance with any of the five goals the home side put away,as the elite did not panic and stuck well to a game plan.

The first ten minutes were memorable though as City were three to the good without reply.The first two were through balls that Alfie ran on to with a confident finish each time.The third was a Cameron special from a direct freekick,dispatched with both accuracy and power.Even at halftime it was possible to believe that an upset was on the cards as City went in a goal to the good at 2-3.

Everyone played well in the rainy and wet,slippery conditions.The academists were physical and strong but were often matched with some slick passing moves and beating of the offside trap.Defensively City were no nonsense,clearing the lines with the minimum of fuss but in the end seemed almost to be worn down.Final score 5-3 with Man of the Match Dylan typifying the competitive nature of the City side.