Tight win extends winning form!

City were truly tested at KGV on Saturday by a tough Broadclyst side that could easily have won the game or at least forced a draw on another occasion.

The rearranged fixture saw the second home appearance in a run of five leading up to Christmas,on a pleasant morning with no breeze,turning cooler as the game went on.On the now familiar wet long grass,the visitors kicked off towards the carpark end,with City initially lining up with a positive 3-2-3 formation.

Any preconceptions that Broadclysts’ position in the table reflected their true ability were quickly dispelled in the first couple of minutes,as the bright orange shirts surged forward forcing a corner.A second immediately followed after City survived the bar and then post being rattled but essentially keeping them level.Sam R was called into action again and again making some great saves as City seemed unsure and uncharacteristically nervy.Didn’t someone once say that there were no easy games.

The shock seemed to wake up the home side and they responded to their managers calls to play to their game.Some delightful touches followed,confidence slowly creeping back in,as Wills A and P both went close with shots from distance.It certainly wasn’t an unlucky thirteenth minute for City as Alfie W laid the ball off for Tom to rifle in,right foot.Later,a similar offensive concluded with a delightful backheel by Alfie W to set up Charlie for a desperately close effort.Cam had also tested the keeper with a well held direct freekick,before another quality sequence of touches,ended frustratingly after Tom found the head of Alfie R,perfectly placed to head home but ruled offside.Morally a goal in all but counting on the scoreboard,it would have been a fine reward for Alfie’s efforts.

Ryan and Oscar came on as subs in the second half,both seeing plenty of the ball as,despite Joe going close immediately,City had to concentrate on resolutely defending for much of the 30 minute period.Charlie had another outstanding game and there was a degree of comfort watching Cameron clearing from defence and stepping up for free kicks that went so close to increasing the score.Ryan clearly played through the pain barrier making several critical interventions.With ten minutes to go there was a definite feeling that City were,to a degree,hanging on,the only light being two Will P efforts from distance.There was probably some relief as the young ref called an end to the match with City 1-0 to the good.

Tom opened his captaincy tenure by leading by example,scoring the only(official) goal of the game and being named Man of The Match.Some start!!.