BRITISH GAS BUSINESS FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 SOUTH AND WEST
City Youngsters show maturity
Manager Robbier Elliott took his young team to the Corinium Stadium, Cirencester on saturday and when well on top and looking to equalise a poorly taken free kick knocked the stuffing from them and they ended up losing 3-0. Keeper Clint Davies was called into action early in the game and made an easy save from a long range effort and then Gareth Byers sent Andy Borthwick way but his shot was also saved at the other end.
Some good work by Carl Foster resulted in Jono Richardson firing in a cross which was bundled for a corner. Mousssa Mamadou put in a shot from the edge of the penalty area from the resultant kick but this was saved. Against the run of play the Centurions opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Max Etheridge out sprinted Richardson to fire home from an acute angle A few minutes later City had a let off when a cross shot beat Davies but went a whisker wide and then Cirencester hit the City bar but the ball was cleared.
Cirencester were well on top when the half ended and some good defensive work by Adam George cleared a dangerous move. The second half belonged to City up until a fatal error in the 72nd minute. Lee Burch came on at the start in place of Richard Gregory who was carrying a knock. A good run by Adam Kelly saw his across headed clear and then Burch was fouled in the box but the Referee declined the penalty appeal. Foster put a chance wide as City pressed and Moussa just failed to get in a telling shot n a goalmouth scramble.
The killer blow came in 18 minutes from time when Davies was fouled. he took the free kick too quickly straight to Scott Griffiths who accepted the chance who slotted the ball into the empty net from 12 yards. City continued to try and score with Moussa and Kelly prominent. Dean Smith made some penetrating runs from the back and George and Joe Wright worked hard in midfield but the break would not come. Borthwick was replaced by James Roden in the 75th minute and his added pace created some chances.
With time running out Matt Palmer replaced Foster in the 86th minute but two minutes later City were caught on the break and when Carl Brown beat Davies from distance, the ball clipping a post on the way into the net. Just before the final whistle Roden fired in a shot which the keeper fumbled but the ball was eventually cleared.
CITY: Clint Davies, Gareth Byers, Dean Smith, Adam George, Jono Richardson, Jono Wright, Richard Gregory, Andy Borthwick, Carl Foster, Moussa Mamadou, Adam Kelly, Substitutes, Mark Lavelle, Lee Burch (46th), James Roden ( 75th). Matt Palmer (86th). Andy Smallpiece.
This week City face North Leigh at home , kick off 3.00p.m.
City’s Southampton Senior Cup match against Netley Central Sports scheduled for Tuesday was called off by the Southampton Football Association and the matter has gone back to the Cup Committee for arbitration.
