Starting Team for Saturday's Cup Match

Sorry boys I made a mistake this evening with the weather!! The forecast last night was for heavy rain all evening but as it transpired it was okay!! It was a poor call on my part sorry I hold my hands up!!

Okay so Saturday's match is a cup game against Alphington. 

They are in the division above us and are having a good season so it will be a tough test again. 

As before we will play a 3-4-1 formation, with players pushing up when we are in attacking phases as before. 

The starting team will be:- 

Goal Keeper: 

Will A 

Defence 

Sam P Cameron & Julen 

Midfield 

Teo, Dan, Will P & Ryan 

Striker:

Alfie W 

Starting Subs: 

Sam R, Joe, Oscar & Alfie R 

Note to Parents - The club have informed me that for the first time in their history all pitches at King George are being used on Saturday and that this will make the car parks heavily used. If at all possible if you could park outside of the ground that would be appreciated to give space to visiting players and their families.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, sorry again about the mix up with the weather tonight!! 

Cheers, 

Mark

** Mid Week Training Cancelled **

Hello everyone Just to confirm that we have cancelled training for this evening due to the heavy rain that is forecast! Sorry about this but think it is the right thing for players and parents!! I will post a message in the next day or so about the cup match on Saturday against Alphington. Thank you Mark

Valiant Central City run Bideford mightily close

A gutsy, battling performance saw Central City fall to a narrow 4-2 defeat at the hands of table-topping Bideford Blues today at a blustery King George V. 

Both teams came into the match with unblemished 100% records, the visitors having won most games by substantial margins, meaning this highly anticipated match really was a clash of the titans. After a highly promising opening period in which City matched their opponents and came to terms with their physical approach, the visitors took the lead on 17 minutes and went on to add two further goals, giving them a 3-0 half-time lead. The game had been played almost entirely in driving rain but the scoreline by no means reflected the balance of play, with City testing the opposition keeper and winning a string of corners without being able to make them pay.

The second-half, however, witnessed an outstanding comeback by City. The tone was set by intense City pressure from the off which lead to a goalmouth scramble which Bideford somehow managed to clear. The pressure soon paid off and following yet another City corner, the ball broke to Will Pye wide on the right. From there he delivered a powerful cross which deceived everyone and flew into the net, making 1-3. With the momentum very much with the home team, City poured forward, Alfie W testing the 'keeper. Moments later and it was 2-3, an in-swinging corner causing confusion in the Bideford defence and the ball nestling in the back of the net via the goalie. An unfortunate own goal, perhaps, but one which City's determination fully merited. With nearly 25 minutes remaining, it was very much a case of game on.

The ball is in the back of the net as City fight back against Bideford!

What followed was an enthralling encounter, with both teams having good opportunities to score. City went agonisingly close to an equaliser on several occasions, notably when Alfie W was one-on-one with the 'keeper and when Ryan flicked a cross from Alfie which was cleared off the line. However, City were unable to fashion the equaliser which their all-round play deserved and with 5 minutes remaining, Bideford made the game safe with a fourth. There was still time for City to almost claw back a third goal, Alfie R firing past the post from a corner.

So, a first defeat in the league this season, but on another day and with a bit more luck on their side, City would undoubtedly have got something out of the game. Indeed, Bideford had to defend resolutely throughout the match in the face of some fantastic moves from City, who combined excellent all-round inter-play and passing with grit, determination and athleticism. Bideford certainly knew that they had been in a real game and there are so many positives which City can take out of the game, not least being the first team to score more than one goal against Bideford this season. City had matched their well-organised, strong opponents at every step and can be hugely encouraged by this performance.

Yet again, it was very much a team performance with outstanding play across the pitch from back to front. Man of the Match, as chosen by John Plumer, went to Julen for his determination, flexibility in playing in midfield and defence and eagerness to bring team-mates into play with his passing. Well done to Julen, and well done to everyone for running a very good Bideford team so close.

Next week sees the league take a break, with Central City hosting Alphington in the Cup. On the back of this display, we can look forward to another excellent performance.

Starting team for Saturday's match vs Bideford Blues

Hi everyone, 

So, as I indicated in my last note we will be adjusting the team a bit to try and strengthen our defence. We are also missing Will A this week. 

Therefore the starting line-up will be: 

Goalkeeper: 

Sam R

Defence:

Oscar

Cameron 

Sam P

Midfield:

Joe

Will P

Dan

Julen

Striker:

Alfie W

Subs:

Alfie R

Teo

Ryan 

As before we will be making changes, but I aim to keep this team on until half-time, barring injuries. 

Any problems, please let me know, if not then I will see you at King George V at 10:00 for a warm up. Help with putting goals up etc as always much appreciated. 

Best wishes 

Mark 

Mark's Musings!!

A great match report from Saturday's game against CW Dynamoes, thank you to Jonathan, Micky and Lucy for your work on the blog with your words and pictures!

It was a great win, all players showing great commitment both in attack and defence. 

Our thoughts now turn on Saturday’s big ‘top of the table’ match with Bideford Blues.

I will be posting the starting team on Wednesday as before. 

Just wanted to say that we will be adjusting the team a bit to strengthen our defence which could come under sustained pressure against Bideford, they scored 11 goals in their last game! 

I hope that players and parents will enjoy the mid-week rest during half-term and will be fresh and ready for the match on Saturday. 

Just to say that it will be a busy morning at King George V on Saturday with several matches being played, so parking might be a problem.

I am not sure if you think the same, but I find the half an hour between 10am and 10.30am kick off goes very quickly! If you could be booted up and ready to go at 10am that would be great. 

 Any problems, as ever please just drop me a text, email or call me. 

Cheers 

Mark

Photos from matches now up!

Slideshows of previous matches (vs Central Utd, CS Leopards, Okehampton and CW Dynamoes) and this season's Squad Photo are now up on the blog! Just go to the Photos page to see them all.

Hope you all put your clocks back and enjoyed that extra hour in bed...

Late strikes spark victory at Dynamoes

A brace from Alfie W wrapped up a 4-2 win for City Central in a tight encounter at CW Dynamoes today. It was a match which proved one of the stiffest tests the team have faced this season and having seen a 2-0 lead whittled away, City had to win the game 'twice'.

The first-half saw Central City dominate overall possession and create a number of chances, most notably with Dan W heading just over from one of the many excellent corners delivered by Will P. Added to this, the home 'keeper was tested by shots from Alfie W and Dan W. However, it was by no means one-way traffic, with Dynamoes hitting the post from a corner and Cameron having to make several superbly-timed sliding tackles to keep the opposition at bay. 

The deadlock was finally broken 5 minutes before the break, Will P robbing a defender on the edge of the area before cooly firing a left-foot shot into the bottom corner to put City 1-0 up. Moments later, Will almost doubled his tally, a fierce shot from range bouncing back off the post and into the grateful arms of the 'keeper. And City were agonisingly close to extending their lead before half-time, Julen playing a delightful through ball to Alfie R whose powerful shot beat the goalie but unfortunately cleared the bar.

Dynamoes came close to an equaliser shortly after the re-start, a floated cross almost beating Sam R but he did well to clutch the ball on the line. City then went on the attack and following a half-cleared corner, Cameron rifled the ball into the net from the edge of the area to put City 2-0 up. With a comfortable lead, City continued to create chances, Alfie W hitting the side-netting. 

The game was turned on its head within 3 minutes, however, with Dynamoes netting two goals in quick succession to bring the match level at 2-2. The momentum certainly appeared to be with the home side but to City's enormous credit, they responded in positive fashion and Alfie W held off a number of challenges to beat the keeper in emphatic fashion from close range. 3-2 to City.

Alfie W fires City into a 3-2 lead

The match continued to remain evenly balanced, with City making inroads down the right wing through Ryan, whilst at the other end Sam R had to be brave to dive at the feet of opposing players. With the game becoming stretched, Joe had a fantastic chance to put clear daylight between the teams but opted to handle when well placed to head in. With full-time approaching, another through ball put Alfie W clear on goal and he kept a cool head to fire home and make the final scoreline 4-2 to Central City.

Man of the Match went to Cameron for marshalling the defence so effectively, making timely tackles when required and topping it off with a fantastic goal. Well done Cameron!

So, the unbeaten run continues with everyone in the squad contributing to today's win. Next up it's Bideford Blues at home and a chance to match ourselves against one of the top teams in the league. On our current form, we have nothing to fear and it should prove to be a fantastic game of football.