City clinch promotion with another 5-star performance

Central City wracked up 5 goals for the second time in the space of 24 hours to complete a hard-fought 5-0 victory over Tiverton Town Youth and ensure third spot and automatic promotion to the 1st division.

The first half was a tight affair with Tiverton pressing and passing well and putting pressure on the home defence. At times, Central struggled to get the ball into attacking positions with Alfie W becoming a bit isolated and having to battle to take on the Tiverton defence. Tiverton created a few half-chances from corners with a couple of shots flashing just wide of the post. At the other end, City came closest to scoring when a fantastic free-kick from Cameron crashed back off the far post and there were also chances for Will P, whose rasping shot was tipped over superbly by the keeper, and Sam P who saw a great cross headed to safety from almost under the bar. The game remained goalless at half-time and City certainly knew they had a game on their hands.

City re-grouped and put in a fantastic 2nd half display with five unanswered goals. The warning signs were there from two set piece deliveries from free-kicks by Sam P and Cameron but the deadlock was finally broken when a low cross from Sam P left Joe with a straight-forward tap in to put City 1-0 up. As in the game the previous day, City doubled their lead almost instantly, Sam P bursting down the left and firing in from outside the box. In the blink of an eye, City had gone 2-0 up and were in control of the game. The momentum was clearly with the home team now, Will P charging through midfield and firing narrowly wide, and the third goal duly arrived when a shot from the edge of the box by Julen took a hefty deflection to wrong-foot the keeper. Having worked tirelessly throughout the game, Alfie W got his reward with a brace of his own, finishing expertly from a blocked clearance and then latching on to a wonderful lofted pass from Joe to beat the keeper from close range and round off the scoring.

All in all, another wonderful team performance full of determination, effort and no little skill. Having played a physically hard game the previous day, it was to the boys great credit that they kept going all game. MoM went to Ewan W for his composed performance in defence, with excellent positional play and some some vital clearances. Well done Ewan!

Central City's promotion was confirmed with news that Colyton Redsocks had lost to leaders Bideford, meaning that City cannot now be overtaken in 3rd place. Congratulations to all the boys and the management team for this fantastic achievement!