| This season's fixture list has been somewhat unkind to City with some teams played home and away before Christmas, even before we've faced other teams once. Team Bath, Chesham, Bedford and Dunstable are clubs which will have come and gone by the festive period and as of today, Stamford are finished with for this year. |
| It was just five weeks ago that we made the trip to the New Flame 'Stadium' to witness a lacklustre goalless draw against the Daniels and today the match was played out in pretty much the same fashion at Meadow Park. |
| Goals, or the lack of them seem to be City's problem at the moment so the news that a hip injury yet again prevented Jimmy Cox from renewing his starting partnership with Andy Hoskins wasn't good. Now with the big striker being subject to seven days notice of approach from Cinderford Town, maybe we'll never see them play together again. |
| Cox was replaced up front by Lee Smith and as usual was nothing like the threat that he is when attacking from the right. In fact both Thompsons, Marvin and Chris down the flanks were ineffective as most of City's attacking play went down the middle. |
| Talking of strikers, ex-City legend Dale Watkins had signed for Stamford at the outset of this campaign, although injury had prevented him kicking a ball in anger for them. There was no sign of him at Meadow Park today either so the chances of his gracing the Hempsted turf again are unlikely. |
| City started brightly with chances from Smith and Hoskins but neither really troubled Stamford keeper Darren Watts, who actually went on to produce one of the most accomplished performances seen by an opposition number one at Meadow Park this season. |
Dave Wilkinson, freshly back to first team action following a lengthy lay off found himself being used as a doormat by an opponent. The offence wasn't deemed serious enough to warrant a word from the referee though.
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| Michael Boyle-Chong tested Matt Bath with a slightly mistimed overhead kick, had he hit it a fraction later the City keeper would've been beaten but in this case Bath got down well to save. |
| Smith was upended and from the free kick Chris Thompson sent in a powerful half volley that Watts was equal to. Good luck again evaded City, or blocked the eyeline of all three officials as a defender climbed all over Neil Griffiths at a free kick. Any case for a penalty was missed. |
| Watts got down well at his left hand post to divert a Thommo shot that appeared through a sea of legs as the City man seemed to be released from his defensive shackles that have held him back all season. |
| Stamford were lucky to clear their lines when a cross was almost miskicked back into his own net by a Daniels defender. Things weren't happening up front for the Lincolnshire side so they made a change with Kevin Ainslie being replaced by winger Ian Edge. |
| After being sent off after just twenty-one seconds at Grantham the previous week Chris Burns did well to make it to almost half time before getting his name in the refs notebook. Although many could feel his frustration as he dissented to the offical when his linesman adjudged Lyndon Tompkins to have commited a foul on the halfway line when it looked as though the City man was indeed the victim. |
| For the third or fourth time an opponent went to ground following a clash with a City defender, each time no foul was given so it must be something that they put in the water up there. When they were able to stay upright Stamford posed a threat and might've taken the lead with a far post header had it not been for Bath's fine positional sense. That particular move was endorsed by a City fan with the words, "That's a good ball that". |
| With the break closing in, what looked like a fifty-fifty challenge on the halfway line ended up with two Daniels players free and en route to goal with Tompkins in a pile on the floor. Fortunately the referee cried foul and Matt Bath's goal remained free from danger. |
The last chance of the first half came from Lee Smith as he was the recipient of a knocked down header following good work from Chris Thompson and Hosky. However, the young wing back cum striker was unable to seize the opportunity and could only flick a tame shot towards goal from his position on the floor just outside the six yard box.
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| At half time the fans were left wondering where the next goal was going to come from. The answer might've been "Marvin Thompson's boot" had Watts not blocked the teenagers snapshot following good build up play from Hosk. |
| City might've scored and ultimately got the win that they so desired but for an awful, awful refereeing decision. Chris Thompson had pushed up to the corner flag but his move broke down but as he retreated from an offside position Webby ran into his space and crossed for Lee Smith to rise highest and head home. However, the linesman raised his flag against Thompson and the play was brought back. No amount of hand signals from the referee could disguise how much of a cock he was. |
| City had a series of corners, all of which came to nothing. There used to be a time when these would pose a threat but these days they either go straight to the keeper or are heading practice for defenders at the far post. Stamford did a nice little variation including near post flick-on's, something I'd like to see City try for once. |
| The Daniels made their second change, and minutes later City made their first. Wilko had added his presence to the midfield but rarely finishes a game. Today was no exception as he was replaced by Lee Davis (who went up front) and a reshuffle followed with Smith going to the right and Thommo slotting into midfield. |
| Marvin Thompson was penalised for a foul on the halfway line and a quick free kick saw Kevin Byrne one on one with Matt Bath. The City keeper won the battle of nerves and forced the striker wide before Neil Griffiths got back to snuff out the shot as Bath retreated to his line. |
| Chances followed at either end with a Stamford corner flicked over at the near post and Lee Smith was back to his best by crossing for Hosky but the defender nipped in ahead of the City striker to deflect the ball for a corner. |
It was easy to see that Smith was enjoying himself back in his favoured position and had Edge at sixes and sevens. The Stamford man's only response was to bring him down. Lee's reaction? He puffed his cheeks out in jest at the cumbersome substitute!
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| Lee Davis was put through in a race to the ball with the keeper, yet inexplicable the Cheltenham loanee hesitated and let Watts have a comfortable take. Hosky was annoyed and told the youngster to keep going and "kick his fingers off". That's the reason why Andy Hoskins is a striker and Davis never will be. |
| Bath had to be alert to hold a shot following a Stamford breakaway before Lyndon Tompkins headed wide at the far post from a City corner. Again Smith was sent to the ground with an over zealous challenge from The Edge and this time the Stamford man was booked. |
| With twenty minutes to go Marvin Thompson made way for Adie Harris on the left hand side as City desperately searched for a way through the resolute Stamford rearguard. |
| Davis gave us a glimpse of what he might be capable of with a speedy dash down the left wing followed by a bullet cross which Lee Smith attempt to bravely head home but the cross was just too strong for his lunge. However, the ball stayed in play and on it's return to the box there were appeals for a push on Smith but they fell on deaf ears. |
| Despite Keith Knight coming on for Tompkins City could find no way into the Stamford area and the game ended goalless. It was a frustrating afternoon, especially for Hoskins whose last attempt at jumping for a cross was little more than a crude barge of the keeper. |
| City have now gone more than six hours since they last hit the target. |
| Although it was a point, City now find themselves occupying a position that will mean relegation in May. The size of the squad is not the only major concern now, the signs that some matches look as though the team are just going through the motions is something that needs sorting. |
| With the need for fresh talent at Meadow Park, one bit of good news is that of the possible capture of Darryl Addis from Cinderford, although this may yet be tempered with the loss of Andy Hoskins in return. Lets hope that City get both, we need them! |
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| Tiger Roar Man of the Match - Lyndon Tompkins |
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Lyndon Tompkins
Star Man |
| Another impressive display from the former Bishops Cleeve man as City kept another clean sheet. With the more games that he plays, the more conditioned he gets as he makes the step back up from the Hellenic League. It's just a shame that his second half header flew the wrong side of the post. |
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