Central City 2 (2) Alphington 3 (1)

Xmas Pun Match Report There were many expecting City to be SLEIGHED by their unbeaten opponents in the final match of the year, but they were wrong. A SPIRITED city performance gave Alphington probably their toughest game of the year. YULE not be surprised that Alphington took an early lead with a GIFT of a goal. They strolled into the box, and despite City players being PRESENT, they were left with a simple finish. Alphington dominated the first 20 minutes and only NOEL in goal stopped the opposition extending their lead. Then against the run of play, a through ball put Dylan clear, and he stroked it into the far corner of the goal, what a CRACKER. City were level and they grew in stature all over the pitch. The work rate and commitment was excellent and unbelievably the same move again saw City take the lead. Two chances and two goals for Dylan. The final 10 minutes of the first half saw Alphington still have the majority of possession, but Cameron SNOWMAN, Will (MINCE) PYE and Dan WilDING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH protected the slender City lead up to the half time break. The second half continued in the same vane with Alphington in control, but City always looked a threat on the break. Brandon had a good chance when he got on the end of a set piece, but placed the BAUBLE just over the bar. The defence remained STABLE and City held out until the 65th minute before the visitors finally equalised as they rounded NOEL in goal. It was 2-2 and with City tiring due to their great endeavour, it was just a case of hoping that they could see the game out. 80 minutes had past and the final CROSS of the game saw the ball get dropped on the line, with City unable to SHEPHARD it out, a fortunate Alphington turned it in for the winner. An undeserved ending to a great match. Well done to all the City team, a STAR performance. Have a good xmas and a happy new year to you all.

Mark's musings

Hello everyone Before we get Steve's match report in I just wanted to post a quick message to say hello, extend John and my seasons greetings to you and to reflect on what has been a tough start to our season. Football can be a cruel game and this was no painfully played out this morning in our match against an impressive Alphington team. At 2-1 up at half time I was starting to this that Christmas had come early. To finally loose 3-2 felt a harsh result. It ends what has been a tough few months for us as a team, so many narrow defeats and only only one win to our campaign. It will mean that we will need to up our game if we want to stay in the 1st Division for the final season of youth football. I am confident that we can do it, but we will need to work hard at training and convert our chances on the pitches in our remaining games. We can do it, but being more clinical and ruthless will be qualities we need to bring to every match from now on. Having said that I love our spirit and ethos and think we should remain proud to our values and the manner that we conduct ourselves. None of the shouting, swearing, aggression or dirty tricks that we see from our opponents. John and I were so grateful for the kind card and vouchers that we were presented with a couple of weeks ago. Thanks also go to Steve Tapp who has been a source of advise and guidance this season, especially when John was in Oz. Can I wish you all a very happy festive break, hope that Santa brings you all you want and that City's fortunes change for the better in 2018! Warm regards Mark

Central City 0 (0) Axminster 1 (1)

City have now scored just one goal in their last 4 league matches as their ability to find the net continues to desert them.

A lacklustre start to the match saw City go behind to a tenth-minute goal when three players failed to close down the Axminster winger quick enough. He had time to look up and then place a great shot over Noah into the roof of the net.

With Cameron starting up front with Dylan in a bid to end our goal scoring woes, his presence was missed in the middle of the park, and midway through the first half, he was moved back in order to try and bolster the midfield.

City then had a good ten-minute spell and with Will's shot from outside the box heading into the top corner, the opposing keeper produced a fantastic save to tip it onto the bar and away for a corner. City's best effort of the half.

Axminster were the better team though, just through their desire and physicality, and they deserved to go in at halftime with a narrow lead.

The halftime talk asked the players to search for their heart and passion to win, as this cannot be taught on the training ground.

The second half was an end to end affair, but neither side looked able to produce that little bit of class required in front of goal. Dylan was moved back to centre-half and Sam was sent up front to drive at the defenders. He created a couple good chances himself but each time narrowly missed the target.

A collection was held on the touchline, were City looking to buy a goal from somewhere or perhaps a barn door !

As the game entered the final ten minutes Central were all over their rivals. Tom D had a great chance with 2 minutes left, but dragged his effort across the face of goal and out for a goal kick. Several corners were whipped over to the far post, but nobody could get on the end of them. 

The referee added on 3 or 4 minutes injury time, but not long enough for Central to find the net. Another defeat and City drop to second from bottom. 

Come on Central, we are far better than this.

Well done to Will for his performance.

Quarter Finals of the Plate

Central City (1) 2 Sidmouth Vikings (1) 2

Central City 3 Sidmouth Vikings 2 After Extra Time

Central were missing four players for this match, Cameron, Pacey, Lucas and Onur and also had Zac and Charlie both carrying injuries.
City started the game sluggishly with the Vikings more determined in the challenges and picking up most of the loose passing.
Ten minutes into the tie and Sidmouth took a deserved lead. This is probably what Central needed as they woke up and started to created chances around the edge of the box, taking 5 or 6 shots from range. After 30 minutes with Zac needing to leave the pitch due to injury, Charlie moved to left back and Brandon came off the bench to play up front with Dylan.
Within two minutes Central were level with a great shot from Brandon into the bottom corner.
The match became an end to end encounter and Noah produced a superb save tipping over a dipping shot from outside the area.
They went into the break level and all to play for in the second half.
Only one half-time change with Tom D coming on for Joey on the wing.
The second half commenced and it wasn't long before Brandon grabbed his second of the game with another good finish. Before the game could restart Charlie went off injured, with Josh taking over at left back and Joey coming back on in the centre of midfield.
City were now 2-1 ahead but it was now Sidmouth who took control of the match, with City's play becoming very loose again. The Vikings were given numerous chances to score and eventually they got their equaliser and it was back to all square.
With City down to just 11 fit players, they did well to hold out and see the game into extra time. 7 minutes each way would follow a short break.
City shot out of the blocks in extra time and within a minute Dan's determined run into the area lead to Dylan sweeping home to put City 3-2 up. This time Sidmouth had nothing left to give.
Tired legs meant that opportunities were rare and Central saw out the remaining time to take themselves through to the semi-finals.
Well done to Brandon for his first two goals for the club.

Next few weeks

Hello everyone, A great training session last night and hope that you have all dried out lads!! I just wanted to confirm that there will be no match or training on Saturday 25th November. I am not quite sure if I had got mixed up or if the fixtures had been changed, however no match and no training for one Saturday if that is okay. Our next match is on Saturday 2nd December, a second round plate match against Sidmouth at KGV. We also have a match on Saturday 9th December also at home against Axminster. We thought it would be good to have a pre Christmas lunch after this match like we have done before so I have booked a big long table at The Stables in the Guildhall. The cost is £10 for pizza, wedges, onion rings, chocolate brownie and a drink (cider, mulled wine or soft drinks!) It would be really nice to get as many players and parents/fans to come along and share some time together away from the touchline! It is booked for 2pm. Could I ask that you text me (07876018577) if you are able to attend and the number in your party. Be really great if we could have a full squad and parents as well. Just to confirm that we also have a match on Saturday 23rd December against Alphington.....ho, ho, ho!! Regards Mark PS - Hello John hope your trip to Australia is going well, we thought of you last night as we were standing in the torrential rain, freezing it was!! G'day mate!

St Martins 3 (1) Central 0 (0)

Central's fourth league match of the season saw them face one of their toughest opponents of the campaign. City needed to be on their best form in order to get a result at St.Martins who are currently unbeaten so far this season.
Central started the match well and worked hard in containing the opposition, and with a full subs bench, everybody was playing for their place.
Despite having their fair share of possession for the first 15 minutes, City rarely looked like they were going to score the opening goal, despite the hard work up front from Dan and Joey.
As St. Martins slowly took control a wonder strike from 20 yards saw them take the lead. He just wasn't closed down quick enough and had time to pick out the top corner.
The final twenty minutes of the first half saw St Martins have the majority of possession, but City battled well to keep the game at 1-0 going into the break.
Half-time brought the arrival of a tired Dylan, following a morning of rugby training.
He was put up front at the start of the second half in order to try and create some goal scoring chances and Central started the half in a higher gear than the Saints.
City had the majority of possession but time after time the final cross or pass around the penalty area was lacking quality and accuracy. The work rate and commitment were great but the Saints keeper was rarely brought into action. As Dylan was removed from the pitch, City changed to three up front in order to try and salvage a point, but as they threw numbers forward St Martins scored two late goals to give the final scoreline an unfair look.
A 3-0 defeat and that is now only one goal scored in the last three league games.
Back to the drawing board for next weeks match against Axminster.

Plate Cup 1st Round

Central City 3 (3) Wonford Galaxy 1 (0)

Devon's version of the Europa league brought the visit of league two side Wonford Galaxy to KGV.
City started the match as clear favourites and anything less than a comfortable win would have been a disappointment.

City took control of the match within the first few minutes and after tiring out the linesman's arm with numerous offsides, it was left to Dan to coolly slot past the keeper after receiving the ball from a throw in. 
The match was played mainly in the Wonford half and Lucas was unlucky to see his shot tipped onto the crossbar by the keeper. 

This was followed closely by a fierce low shot from Will that struck the base of the post.
It was all City and they eventually doubled their lead with a headed effort from Dan, to give him his second of the match.

A Wonford mix up lead to a quick third from Tom D and the half closed with the job done.

The second half was a much more even affair as Central lost their way and the standard of football dropped to a level usually only seen in the lower divisions.

With limited options on the bench Dan was eventually pushed up front in a bid to secure his hatrick, but chances were at a premium.

As the game fizzled out Wonford managed to nick a last minute consolation goal but it was City who went through to the second round.