The final few weeks

Hello everyone It occurs to me that now Charlie and Steve have left we have lost our match reports, so unless anyone else fancies their hand at doing the match report then I will try my best. This tough season seems to get tougher each week. Having lost Brandon and Charlie mid season has made our challenge of being able to produce a team each week even more difficult. We started the season with 17 which I felt was enough but clearly not. Our mid-week match was made tricky by parents evening at both Isca and St Peters and meant that we had to start the match with only 10 players. Whilst the Isca express dashed up the motorway (speeding tickets in the post I am sure!!) a well organised and disciplined Twyford team had managed to drive past our stand in goal keeper Max. We started the second half well and pressed consistently on their goal, for 20 minutes, alas without success and despite all efforts the ball just didn’t run for us. However to concede another three second half goals felt unfair and not a fair reflection on us at all. Football is a cruel game at times! Anyway onward and upward and we have a testing 6 pointer on Saturday away at Sidford. The pitch at Byes Lane, Sidford EX10 9QX) should be nice and allow for a fast match. We should have a full squad available for this match and it is a must win! Sadly I am working but John B will be leading the boys and I really really hope that we can come away with 3 big points. Also just to mention the Plate Cup final. This has now been confirmed for 3.30pm kick off at Tiverton Town’s ground. This should be a great occasion and nice to be able to play on a quality pitch with what could be a nice sized crowd! I am still none the wiser about who our opposition will be however!! Please invite as many family and friends as you can/want. I was going to propose that we go out for some dinner after the match. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions of a suitable venue? Might be worth trying to book something up? Can you text any ideas through to me asap, thanks. Many thanks for your on-going commitment and support Mark

Colyton 3 (0) Central City 5 (3)

This was a must-win match for City against their relegation rivals Colyton. On a pitch that resembled a field left out to pasture, City started brightly and created an early chance for Dylan who unfortunately missed the target from 6 yards out. Colyton then had a spell of pressure and only two fantastic saves from stand-in keeper Max stopped Central from falling behind. 15 minutes into the game and to everyone's relief City took the lead with Dylan turning his defender and rifling the ball into the far bottom corner. Despite City playing with 3 up front, Dylan remained the only real threat and soon added to his tally with his second goal of the match, almost a carbon copy of his opener. City were now cruising and following a fantastic run and cross from Sam Plumer, Dylan ran in to slam home his hat-trick just before halftime. The halftime talk was easier than normal with the focus on keeping it tight and making the tackles count. The second half commenced and the next goal was crucial. Colyton had an early chance and Central were fortunate that their long-range effort flew back off the crossbar. City then had the next opportunity and when Sam Plumer burst through the middle, he buried it into the bottom right-hand corner, with another smart finish for Central. 4-0 up and apparently strolling to a comfortable win. However, as the game wore on the City legs began to tire and after an hour of running through the long wet grass, Colyton began to take over. After a spell of pressure Colyton deservedly pulled a goal back in the 65th minute, but within two minutes Dylan restored the four-goal lead with an increasingly rare City break into the opposition half. That was the end of Central's contribution to the game and with Will Pye going off with cramp, Colyton pulled a couple late goals back to make the scoreline a bit more respectable. A win for Central that takes them off the bottom of the league. Well done to the team and let's build on it.