Hello everyone,

Hope that you are all well and have had a good week.

As we head into the final bit of the season I thought I would confirm a few key dates and times.

Saturday 1^st April – no match or training

Wednesday 5^th April – no training

Saturday 8^th April – no match or training

Wednesday 12^th April – no training

Saturday 15^th April – trying to organise a friendly atch to keep us ticking over.  Are you available to play?

Wednesday 19^th April – training at KGV

Saturday 22^nd April – match – City v Cullompton at KGV (9.45am)

Wednesday 26^th April – match – City v Central United (As a number of both teams are going to be away for the planned derby game Jon and I have agreed to switch it to Wednesday evening.  KO time to be confirmed but probably around 6.30pm.

Saturday 29^th April – No match but awards presentation afternoon at Exeter City ground in the Grande Marquee!

Wednesday 3^rd May – training at KGV (6-7)

Saturday 6^th May – match – final match of the season against West Exe at Cowick Barton.

It has felt like a bitty old season hasn’t it, but it will be good to go out with a flourish!  I have entered us for a number of summer tournaments as per previous summers but will send on details at a later stage.

Any problems or difficulties please let me know

Regards

Mark 

Alphington Match Report

Alphington 1 (0) Central City 1 (1)

Central ended Alphington's 100% record for the season with a well deserved draw.

Last week's footballing exhibition against Sidmouth was matched by this week's performance full of grit, determination and hard work. All 12 players could not be faulted for their effort.

City started the game well and didn't let the Alphington players settle on the ball. After ten minutes City took a surprise lead with Dylan side stepping the keeper and slamming the ball past the two defenders on the line. This not only gave City a boost, but put doubts in the minds of the Alphington eleven. The half continued with the City defence winning every 50/50 and Alphington's only two clear chances of the first half were kept out by a superb block by Josh and a great save by Noah.

The half time talk was simple 'keep it going'.

The second half continued in the same manner, with Alphington having the majority of the ball but being unable to break the City spirit and well drilled formation. It took until the hour mark before they equalised when Josh was outnumbered at the far post and was unlucky to steer the ball into his own net. The last ten minutes evened out with Central having more possession and as the final whistle blew, despite the draw, there was a winner out on the pitch. The Central City team had taken the spoils.

Steve Tapp

Sidmouth Warriors Match Report

Sidmouth Warriors 1 (0) Central City 6 (4)
You're Once, twice, three times a DJ (The Commodores)

City took control of this match from the kick off. Playing their best passing football of the season, they looked like a different team to recent weeks. A Will Pye corner lead to the first goal with Josh rising high at the far post to nod in. The second followed on the twenty minute mark when Dylan got on the end of a fantastic pass from man of the match Cameron. Five minutes before the break Dan worked his way into the box and fooled the keeper with a shot that went in at the near post and to round off a perfect first half Dylan scored his second of the game from a lay off by Max. Not much for the management to complain about at half time.

The second half started in a similar pattern and Dylan soon completed his hat trick with a header. He was then subsequently taken off to a standing ovation (no seats available) and it was left to Joey to bring up the half dozen by coolly slotting the ball past the advancing keeper. Charlie nearly made it 7 when his low shot struck the inside of the far post before Sidmouth scored a consolation goal with ten minutes remaining.
City's 6-1 win was a fair reflection on their outstanding performance and let's hope they can take this form into next weeks game at Alphington.

A word of praise and thanks to the referee provided by Sidmouth.

Steve Tapp

Heavitree Match Report

Heavitree 1 (1) Central City 1 (0)
'Tom Day, is gonna be the Day, that brings a point back for you' (Oasis)

Another Saturday with a depleted squad meant that once again there were limited options on team selection and formation. 

Heavitree kicked off down the slope and although they had a bit more possession than City in the early stages they weren't able to test our stand-in keeper Joey. The three man defence clearing everything that came their way. It took until the 15th minute when Heavitree were given too much time on the edge of the box and a powerful shot flew over Joey into the roof of the net. Heavitree then made 5 substitutions in one go, but City kept their concentration and matched the fresh legs for energy. With Heavitree only having one other shot on target in the first half, the game remained finely balanced at the break.


The second half was a very even contest with City working hard on closing down the Opposition players and stopping them from finding any rhythm. You could not question the effort that City were putting in and hopes remained high on the sideline that City could grab a point from this fixture. With neither keeper having a save to make in the second period and with only one minute remaining, the ball came across the box to Tom Day. He looked up and hit a blistering shot over the Heavitree keeper into the goal.


A well deserved point for the City players.

Steve Tapp

'Ave it Aresnal!'

With our normal match day reporter having a well-deserved week off, I thought I would make a few choice comments on the game yesterday.

On a wet and windy Saturday morning, the Arsenal boys travelled up to KGV to face a slightly depleted Central team.  The game kicked off with both teams going in 100% on a slightly uneven pitch altering Arsenals normal style of play.

After an early ball through to our big striker Dylan we were in….that was until their goalkeeper got confused with rugby and took him out!  Penalty awarded and slotted away in F2 style.

We welcomed our new signing Will onto the pitch and he made an immediate impact making many crucial tackles in the midfield. 

We went into half time 1-0 up and feeling good.  After a few quarters of oranges and drink the boys wanted more.  Storming into the second half gaining an early free kick which was floated in and attacked by our striker Dylan. 2-0!!

The pressure was building from Arsenal but City held their own showing some brilliant defensive work (well done to Tom O, Zak and Noah!) and the allowing the midfield to push forward hunting for more goals. 

The pressure kept on mounting from the City boys and this was rewarded by a third goal, a low driven free kick forcing the keeper to parry the ball but only as far as Tom D who was ready to slot the ball home for the third!

City failing to clear their lines gave Arsenal a slight glimpse of hope but very professionally managing to gain our composure and see out the game.  We should be really pleased with this performance. 

At last the final whistle blew, City coming out on top with a 3-0 victory over the JPL Stars!

Well played to all the boys, see you on Wednesday at training.

Cam