Who'd be a manager!

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share some thoughts with you all about the current situation. As you know I have organised a friendly tomorrow away at Feniton. Sadly it looks like we only have 9 players available and able to play. This was a friendly that I had organised as I feel that we really need to have some match time to try and develop some momentum and to start scoring some goals! I hope that you all feel that I am supportive, encouraging and understanding of the players doing other activities and obviously allowing for injuries etc. But we increased the squad from 15 to 17 pre season and yet we are still struggling to raise a team. I feel the responsibility to try and make us as competitive and successful as possible for all the squad. With our match against Central United and the semi final of the plate coming up I feel anxious that we are going to struggle to find our mojo, which we need to do urgently. For those able to make it tomorrow the address is Feniton Football Club, Aclan Park, Station Road, Feniton. EX14 3EA. Kind regards Mark

Axminster 2 (1) Central 1 (1)

Another disappointing match for City. Once again City were down to the bare 11 players, with no subs and very little in the way of options in order to change the game. Central started the game with a front three in a bid to pose more of a threat in front of goal and after some great work by Will on the right wing they took the lead in the fifteenth minute with Sam turning the ball into the net from close range. City continued to play the better football but despite dominating the match you knew that one goal would not be enough. On the stroke of half-time the inevitable happened, and after some poor defending on the right side they let Axminster cross the ball into the box and the ball was steered into the corner. The 1-1 scoreline at half-time did not reflect the match, but once again the lack of a goal scorer in the team was going to prove costly. The second half was a lot scrappier affair but City remained the better side. A fiercely struck free kick by Will was well saved, and Lucas missed a good opportunity inside the box. Now was the time to look to the bench, but it was empty. With ten minutes remaining, Tom O let the Axminster striker get a shot away on his favoured left foot and it nestled into the far bottom corner. It was only their second shot of the game. 2-1 down against poor opposition, and once again City were facing defeat against a team they should be beating comfortably. Tom D was pushed forward for the remaining time and had two good chances to equalise, but missing the target is Central's speciality. Another loss and back to the drawing board.

Crushing!!

Hi everyone Like you I felt crushed by the result on Saturday, we were by a country mile the more skillful and creative team on the pitch yet once again come away with a frustrating loss and no points. It sadly has been the theme of the season, some lovely linking play but not being able to be more clinical and effective in the final third of the pitch is costing us dearly. I am determined that we don't loose spirit and determination which have always been our strengths and that we keep working hard to try and win some matches. I know that some of you follow the FA Full time website which has the details of fixtures on it. Training tomorrow (Wednesday) as normal with a 7.30pm swift start please. Saturday 24th Feb - AWAY friendly against Feniton (no Joey, Max, Tom O and Dan) Saturday 3rd March - no match as many players away. Saturday 10th March - at KGV against Central United Saturday 17th March - Home v's Crediton in Plate Semi Final. This is a really important match please. if you are away that week PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. Saturday 24th March - Home v's St Martins. I will text around specific details and addresses as and when. Kind regards Mark

Central City 0 (0) Heavitree 2 (1)

City now have a solitary point from their last 6 league matches as their lack of goal scoring once again proved to be their downfall. With Dylan the only City player to have scored in the league this season, City appear to be running short of ideas in front of goal. In a very even first half with City playing against the wind, chances were few and far between, and Heavitree's only real shot on target unfortunately flew in over Joey, after 20 minutes.

The second half would hopefully be better with a stiff breeze behind, but whilst City enjoyed the majority of possession, they rarely created any chances. Lucas managed to get the ball in the net with fifteen minutes remaining but the referee disallowed it for knocking the ball out of the goalkeepers hands. The final ten minutes saw Tom O run it to the box, only to see his shot come back off the bar from 10 yards out. Nobody was there to tap it in as it dropped into the six yard box.

In the final minute Heavitree sealed the 3 points when Josh got dispossessed just inside the City half and their striker ran through to tuck it past Joey and into the corner.

A 2-0 defeat which leaves City one place off the bottom.

Thanks to Joey for going in goal.

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.