City travelled to the unfamiliar territory of Binfield (Hellenic League Division 1 East) for their last friendly of the close-season on Tuesday night (5th August) and came away with their fourth victory on the road but it must be admitted it was not their finest hour. Andy Leader’s starting lineup was Clint Davies, James Eyles, Sam Lockyer, James Wilson, Matt Bowler, Adam George, Gray, Manadou Moussa, Brett Williams and Dan Smith.
The team took some time to settle and on the whole the first half was poor. The first attack came from Binfield when a long range shot flew over the City bar and a few minutes later Gray reciprocated with a similar shot at the other end. The home side had the chance to go ahead when the no. 4 was unmarked by the far post but his woeful shot was well wide.
Gradually City began to get their house in order and Lockyer runing in on a Gregory pass saw the keeper kick away his shot and George put the rebound over the bar. Willaims put in a penetrating run but his shot was beaten out by the keeper and then both he and Lockyer put shots wide. Just before half time City lost Moussa through injury and Juryeff substituted.
The second half started with Dave Allen, Adam Lang, Steve Llewelyn and Dan Essfanddiari on and throughout the half Mr Leader alternated substitutes with Andy Bayliss taking over in goal for the last half an hour. Lang made an immediate impact with a long run to the box and then blotted his copy book a few minutes later, losing the ball in midfield which eventually resulted in a Binfield corner.
City were, however, soon on top and had a much better second half. Eyles had a shot pushed for a corner and Smith made some runs deep into the Binfield half. The break came in the 63rd minute when Williams spotting the keeper coming off his line curled a delightful shot over his head.
Further pressure came from Juryeff, Llewelyn, Lang and Allen before the latter scored a fine individual gaol in the 78th minute to wrap up the match. Collecting a long upfield ball, he dribbled around two defenders and then jinxed the keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net. City could have made it three when Juryeff fed Gregory whose shot was well save and then Allen had his shot turned for a corner.
City have an in-house match this Saturday with the First X1 v the Reserves, kick off 2.00 p.m at the Denplan City Ground, admission free, before facing Paulton Rovers away on Saturday 16th August in their first British Gas Business Football league match of the season and their first home game is against Gosport Borough on Tuesday 19th August at 7.45p.m.
