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| Match Summaries : December 2005 |
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| City 1-1 Aylesbury United : Saturday December 3rd 2005 |
City
1: Matt Bath
2: Chris Thompson
3: Alex Sykes
(sub 79 mins)
4: Neil Griffiths
5: Lyndon Tompkins
6: Lee Davis
7: Neil Mustoe
8: Tom Webb
9: Daryl Addis
10: Luke Corbett
(sub 70 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
(goal 64 mins)
Substitutes
12: Richard Mansell
for Alex Sykes
14: Marvin Thompson
for Luke Corbett
15: Mark Pritchett
16: Eddie Rimmer
17: Lee Randall
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Aylesbury United
1: Jack Rashid
(booked 65 mins)
2: Matt Hayward
3: Daniel Mead
(booked 65 mins)
4: Neil Lazarus
5: Rob Gould
(booked 65 mins)
6: Liam Foulds
(booked 65 mins)
7: Scott McAfferty
8: Greg Williams
(sub 75 mins)
9: John Lawford
(goal 54 mins)
10: Leon Gordon
(sub 66 mins)
11: Paul Edgeworth
Substitutes
12: Aston Goss
for Leon Gordon
14: Roni Joe
15: Justin Gordon
16: Jonathan Bewers
for Greg Williams
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Appearances are deceptive and today was no exception. Before kick off the Ducks were in a surprisingly low league position but with pretty much the same team that wiped the floor with us twice last year. Surely they couldn't be as bad as the table suggested?
Unfortunately they weren't as they took the game to Chris Burns' men. Wide man Leon Gordon was finding plenty of room against new signing Alex Sykes and before too much damage had been inflicted changes were made with Neil Griffiths moving across to pay closer attention than the England Futsal player had been.
Despite their possession the Buckinghamshire side only created one chance of note, although it looked as though it was in as it pinged around our box before being cleared off the line. At the other end Sykes almost crowned his debut with a goal when his shot from twenty-five yards was palmed away low to his left by Rashid.
The second half was 'as you were' with the away side in control and it was no real surprise when they took the lead. A counter attack down the right saw a cross from Neil Lazarus find the unmarked John Lawford on the penalty spot from where the ball was cranially diverted into the back of the net by the .
It looked hopeless for the Tigers as our only means of getting through their staunch rearguard was through corners and free kicks and it must be a year since we scored from one of them. But as one set piece had been cleared all too easily, man of the moment Tom Webb strode goalwards and with his sights of the target blocked by a mixture of yellow and green shirts he lifted a ball over the top instead. Daryl Addis beat the Aylesbury defender with a deft shove in the back (!) and the ball fell nicely for Dave Wilkinson to hammer home .
Everyone seemed to get a sight of the foul except the three wise men and the Ducks quartet of Jack Rashid, Daniel Mead, Rob Gould and Liam Foulds all quacked their way into the book. I have sympathy for them!
Chances followed at either end and the result could've gone either way but for stunning saves from Matt Bath and Rashid alike, with the one from the Aylesbury man denying Addis after he'd controlled the ball, turned and volleyed in one swift movement that deserved more.
We'll take a point. And Cirencester lost again (tee hee)! |
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| City 0-1 Chippenham Town : Tuesday December 6th 2005 |
City
1: Matt Bath
2: Chris Thompson
3: Richard Mansell
(sub 84 mins)
4: Neil Griffiths
5: Lyndon Tompkins
6: Alex Sykes
(sub 76 mins)
7: Neil Mustoe
8: Tom Webb
9: Daryl Addis
10: Lee Davis
(sub 64 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Luke Corbett
for Lee Davis
14: Marvin Thompson
for Alex Sykes
15: Mark Pritchett
16: Lee Randall
17: Eddie Rimmer
for Richard Mansell
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Aylesbury United
1: Steve Perrin
2: Simon Charity
3: Sam Jones
4: Nick Bunyard
5: Matthew McEntegart
6: Mark Badman
7: Sam Allison
8: Ian Herring
(goal 46 mins)
(booked 59 mins)
9: David Gilroy
10: Alan Griffin
(sub 76 mins)
11: Ben Kirk
(sub 82 mins)
Substitutes
12: Mark Draycott
for Alan Griffin
14: Wayne Thorne
for Ben Kirk
15: Ross Adams
16: Nathan Bailey
17: Josh Jeffries
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The Tigers' recent run of good form came to an end at Meadow Park tonight, ironically against a team of Losers as Chippenham had just been named Wiltshire's most Gallant losers following their playoff defeat to Hednesford at the end of last season.
Burnsy dropped Luke Corbett following his indifferent showing on Saturday and restored Lee Davis to partner Daryl Addis up front. For the Bluebirds neither Thorne featured with Gary omitted totally and Wayne only playing a bit part as a late substitute. It's a shame that Thorne junior didn't start because he's so shite it's like twelve against ten in our favour when he plays!
City had the ball in the net in both halves, the first came just before the break when Perrin had flapped at a cross but was given a dubious free kick by the referee. The flying lard had moved to his back post and stretched for the ball where he was 'fouled', had his been a stationary jump then I wouldn't argue the toss but he was very fortunate on this occasion. Luke Corbett had an effort chalked off in the second for a marginal offside.
Whereas the strikes from the Tigers failed to count, man of the match Ian Herring scored one that did register. With the game a little over a minute old in the second period the opponents had pushed forward and City simply couldn't clear their lines when the ball fell to the midfielder who lashed a memorable shot into the top corner. I wonder if he fancies playing for City?
Herring continued to make his mark on the game when he was cautioned following a clash with Chris Thompson. Sadly City lacked what it needed to take a point from our below par visitors and the Wiltshire side returned home with all three points. |
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| Rugby Town 0-1 City : Saturday December 10th 2005 |
Rugby Town
1: Farhad Afandiyev
2: Chris Tullin
(sub 85 mins)
3: Craig Herbert
4: Andy Peaks
5: Tim Wooding
6: Danny Williams
7: Delroy Gordon
8: Willis Francis
(booked 63 mins)
9: Kevin Slinn
(booked 8 mins)
10: David Stone
11: Steve Evans
(sub 71 mins)
Substitutes
12: Rory Squire
for Chris Tullin
14: Andreas Kattos
15: Matt Wells
16: Matthew Green
for Steve Evans
17: Karl Lewis
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Chris Thompson
3: Marvin Thompson
(booked 60 mins)
4: Adie Harris
5: Lyndon Tompkins
6: Alex Sykes
(sub 65 mins)
7: Neil Mustoe
(sub 34 mins)
8: Tom Webb
9: Daryl Addis
10: Luke Corbett
(goal 17 mins)
(sub 89 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Lee Davis
for Alex Sykes
14: Lee Randall
for Luke Corbett
15: Keith Knight
16: Jamie Reid
for Neil Mustoe
17: Eddie Rimmer
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If I ever miss away games they are usually the ones at Butlin Road. The place doesn't exactly draw City fans to it and the fact that we hadn't won there for a decade is good enough reason to stay well away.
But today was different as Chris Burns restored Adie Harris to the side and the veteran winger was in superb form alongside midfielder Tom Webb as the Tigers ran their hosts ragged for long periods.
For once City made a set piece count as Tom Webb's corner was planted into the ruck in the penalty area and Andy Peaks could only glance the ball to the far post where Luke Corbett controlled it, swivelled and volleyed it firmly enough into the back of the net with goalkeeper Farhad Afandiyev getting a hand to the ball but not enough to keep it out.
With the euphoria of the goal came the gloom of seeing Neil Mustoe pull up with a hamstring injury as he shepherded the ball out for a goal kick. The sign from Adie Tandy was negative straight away but it's a compliment to Chris Thompson that he was to step in and perform admirably to deny the home teams onslaught.
The second half saw a host of chances for Burns' men with Jamie Reid, Lee Davis and Corbett all planting decent shots the wrong side of the post when the opportunity arose. Reid in particular stood out and showed superb vision to pick out passes that other players simply couldn't see. Get him in the middle of midfield and watch him shine!
With the game deep into injury time an aire of inevitability dwarfed the City fans as the ball seemed to be magnetised towards Matt Bath's goal. It was hearts in mouths time as a cross found it's way across the face of goal and evaded all touches before the impressive David Stone rattled the crossbar with a shot on the turn.
But the final whistle went and City picked up a richly deserved three points. |
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| City 2-4 Cirencester Town : Tuesday December 13th 2005 (played at Swindon Supermarine FC) |
City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jamie Reid
(goal 60 mins)
3: Richard Mansell
(sub 79 mins)
4: Neil Griffiths
5: Mark Pritchett
6: Eddie Rimmer
7: Chris Burns
(booked 11 mins)
(sub 66 mins)
8: Tom Webb
9: Dave Wilkinson
10: Lee Randall
(goal 89 mins)
11: Adie Harris
Substitutes
12: Luke Corbett
for Chris Burns
14: Daryl Addis
15: Keith Knight
16: Chris Thompson
17: Lyndon Tompkins
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Cirencester Town
1: Paul Thompson
2: Neil Arndale
(sub 26 mins)
3: Stuart Fraser
4: Micheal Jackson
(sub 81 mins)
5: Gary Horgan
6: Adie Viveash
(sub 45 mins)
7: Scott Fuller
(goal 25 mins)
8: Lee Smith
(booked 7 mins)
(goal 80 mins)
9: Steve Cowe
(goal 17 mins)
10: Mark Danks
(goal 19 mins)
11: Marc Richards
Substitutes
12: Adam Little
for Micheal Jackson
14: Darren Robison
for Neil Arndale
15: Craig Fullam
for Adie Viveash
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For the fourth time in just eleven weeks City crossed swords with Cotswold neighbours Cirencester Town. If by now you hadn't realised how ugly, brutal and route one Hughesey's lot were then you were probably part of the piss poor crowd of 71 that made the trip to our temporary home at Swindon Supermarine for this thrilling encounter.
Chris Burns' ambitions in this competition were clear from the outset. His seven changes from the team that beat Rugby on Saturday saw a recall from suspension for himself and Neil Griffiths, Jamie Reid came back from injury whilst youth teamers Mark Pritchett and Eddie Rimmer made their full debuts and Lee Randall started a game for the first time since August 2001.
Lee Smith was booked for a crude foul on Adie Harris with the game less than ten minutes old before Chris Burns followed him into the book with an umbrella handle tackle on Mark Danks as he sprinted away from the City gaffer.
Then, in a seven minute spell the game was won with three goals from the team in the dull blue shirts. Matt Bath charged out of his goal and missed the ball for which Steve Cowe was so grateful that he slotted it into an empty net. Danks then lobbed the City keeper and scored off the post before Scott Fuller dived in to head home a rebound.
Lee Randall showed us what he might be able to do on a regular basis when he tried an audacious thirty yard lob but Ciren keeper Paul Thompson (now with a moustache) was able to wobble his way back and touch it just over the bar.
City came back into the game in the second half and had two good chances to score when first Dave Wilkinson headed narrowly over from a corner and then a Reid shot was deflected up and onto his own bar by substitute Craig Fullam. But following a failed corner routine Chris Burns casually rolled the ball to Reid at the edge of the box and the impressive youngster curled a shot into the top corner. A sweet goal from a player whose looking more and more the part with every game he plays.
City could've been down to ten men next and it was commented after the game that Burnsy should've walked for the bad tackle that he made on Danks. However, this isn't a fair description and because there were so few people present it would probably be best to replace the word "bad" (in bad tackle) to "rugby" so that folks understand the severity of the incident. Even though a lone voice shouted "Do your job referee" while everyone expected to see a second yellow and then a red card neither were produced and Burns escaped. Minutes later he was subbed.
Any chance of a comeback was curtailed when Lee Smith rose highest in the six yard box to nod home a fourth for Ciren to give him a perverse delight about scoring against his former click whilst with virtually the last kick of the game Randall connected with Adie Harris' cut back and drilled home City's second to give the scoreline a more respectable feel.
The pheep of the final whistle was accompanied by the sound of City freefalling out of another cup competition at the first attempt and with the prospect of a County Cup game against Bristol Rovers in January it looks as though Burns' men will match their shameful record from last season of being eliminated in the first round of every competiton that they entered. |
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| Chesham United 0-2 City : Saturday December 17th 2005 |
Chesham United
1: Paul McCarthy
2: Nathan Stamp
3: Chris Herron
4: Micheal Palmieri
5: Rob Bixby
6: Derek Payne
7: Leon Callender
8: Oliver Oatley
(sub 45 mins)
9: Anton Smith
(sub 81 mins)
10: Darryl Wilson
11: Tom McGowen
Substitutes
12: Scott McCubbin
for Oliver Oatley
14: Ashley Higgins
15: Alfie Kamara
16: Nick Dines
for Anton Smith
17: Shaun Reece
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jamie Reid
(sub 57 mins)
3: Marvin Thompson
(booked 84 mins)
4: Chris Thompson
5: Lyndon Tompkins
6: Alex Sykes
7: Adie Harris
(sub 77 mins)
8: Tom Webb
(booked 13 mins)
9: Daryl Addis
(sub 88 mins)
10: Luke Corbett
(goals 26 & 69 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Keith Knight
14: Chris Burns
15: Lee Randall
for Daryl Addis
16: Neil Griffiths
for Jamie Reid
17: Richard Mansell
for Adie Harris
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This was a game that had originally been scheduled at home but with Meadow Park hosting a Christmas Party with the likes of the Darkness, Boney M and Jonathan Ross it was switched to the north-west London commuter belt.
Forgetting the Cirencester game in midweek this was two wins on the bounce for Burnsy's men. A measure of how good last week's victory was came with the news that Rugby had won 3-1 at the superior facilities of Mangotsfield!
Changes had been made in midweek and for this game the side was virtually restored to full strength, with Neil Griffiths surprisingly omitted to the bench.
Chesham had a virtually new team compared to the one that had started the season after budget cuts had seen the resignation of manager Steve Bateman followed by a mass exodus of playing staff. The hot seat was now filled by former Chelmsford City striker Dennis Greene.
The home side started brightly and attacked City down the wings, particularly against Jamie Reid who looked like a fish out of water in the orthodox right back position. But the Tigers survived and even had the ball in the net only to see it ruled out after Daryl Addis had nearly ripped the short off his markers back (see the first photo above).
Addis did well to hold up a bouncing ball despite the close attentions of the defender as he span around his man the Forester was felled with an ugly high boot that caught him on the chin. The referee immediately blew for a foul but seemed to be talked into giving a penalty as it was a surprise to see Luke Corbett place the ball on the spot before smashing beyond the reach of the keeper.
The lead at half time was deserved and it was doubled in the second half with Chesham offering little to trouble Matt Bath. Adie Harris made room in an unfamiliar right wing position and whipped in a cross that Corbett leapy up to nod back over the keeper. The goal gave comfort to the scoreline and also warmed up the small but keen bunch of travelling Tigers.
The same fixture last season had seen City take a two goal lead before the Cockneys turned it on it's head to win 2-3 but this time there was no fight from the home camp and City claimed all three points. |
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| Halesowen Town 1-0 City : Tuesday December 27th 2005 |
Halesowen Town
1: Dean Coleman
2: Ian Cooper
3: Dave Haywood
4: Nicki Preston
5: Steve Pope
6: Gary Knight
7: Alex Cowley
(booked 31 mins)
8: Nathan Lamey
(sub 85 mins)
9: Howard Forinton
(goal 50 mins)
10: Nick Amos
11: Simon Forsdick
Substitutes
12: Stuart Skidmore
for Nathan Lamey
14: Chris Smith
15: Stuart Pierpoint
16: Karl Johnson
17: Liam Teraud
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Chris Thompson
3: Marvin Thompson
(sub 45 mins)
4: Neil Griffiths
5: Lyndon Tompkins
(booked 70 mins)
(sub 83 mins)
6: Alex Sykes
7: Adie Harris
(sub 75 mins)
8: Tom Webb
9: Daryl Addis
10: Luke Corbett
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Lee Davis
for Adie Harris
14: Richard Mansell
for Marvin Thompson
15: Jamie Reid
for Lyndon Tompkins
(booked 87 mins)
16: Lee Randall
17: Chris Burns
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Following our good win at Chesham before Christmas City would've made the trip up to the Grove with high hopes against the slumbering Brummies.
In between games there had been suggestions that Chris Burns and Keith Knight almost quit due to the projected budget review that was to come into effect from January 1st. Daryl Addis and Neil Mustoe also looked to be heading for the exits as the club couldn't cover their wages but they were all at the game with nothing confirmed about their exits.
It could've been a disater from the outset for City when Alex Cowley should've scored and it showed that he'd been honing his skills on the Playstation with his nifty little 360° turn that is one of the features of Fifa 2006. However, too much trickery clearly unbalance him as the finish didn't match the skillspot and he flicked the ball wide of the post with Matt Bath stood watching.
He'll wish he had've netted though as his only mark on the game was the booking he recieved for an over the ball challenge on Alex Sykes.
The first half ended goalless but City would've been pleased with their showing against the Yeltz as they rained in shot after shot on home goal. "Rain" isn't the right word to use really considering the snowstorm that engulfed the Grove and froze the lower than average Boxing Day crowd.
The second half started in the worst possible way as City continued their impressive football but Chris Thompson was guilty of a lazy backpass that was intercepted by Howard Forinton. The former Banbury striker accepted the ball, controlled it and shot under the advancing City keeper.
It could've been two minutes later when Nick Amos had the ball in the net from a corner but Nicki Preston was ruled to have fouled Bath as he headed the set piece goalwards.
A darting run by former Shepshed man Simon Forsdick was brought to an untimely end by a Lyndon Tompkins ankle tap, for which the City man was booked before substitute Jamie Reid was also harshly cautioned for an innoculous challenge. Reid could've netted a second yellow in as many minutes when he was adjudged to have fouled their forward as he broke away with City playing four up front but the referee only awarded a free kick.
Lee Davis had a great chance to earn a point for the Tigers when he beat the offside trap, advanced on the keeper and shot meekly into the side netting with Dave Wilkinson and Luke Corbett unmarked in the penalty area.
Not a Happy Christmas! |
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| Yate Town 3-1 City : Saturday December 31st 2005 |
Yate Town
1: Tony Court
2: Adam Sims
(sub 81 mins)
3: Dave Elsey
(booked 52 mins)
4: Scott Brice
5: Lee Jeffries
6: Lee Vickerman
7: Jason Wood
(goal 18 mins)
8: Paul Chenoweth
(booked 79 mins)
9: Darren Edwards
(goal 64 mins)
10: Justin Pritchard
(sub 58 mins)
11: Steve Campbell
(goal 25 mins)
Substitutes
12: Jimmy Cox
for Justin Pritchard
14: Christian Sylvester
for Adam Sims
15: Lee Bridson
16: Mike Wyatt
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Marvin Thompson
(sub 74 mins)
3: Richard Mansell
4: Neil Griffiths
(booked 54 mins)
5: Lyndon Tompkins
6: Chris Thompson
7: Adie Harris
8: Tom Webb
9: Daryl Addis
10: Luke Corbett
(goal 30 mins)
(sub 77 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
(booked 12 mins)
(sent off 52 mins)
Substitutes
12: Jamie Reid
for Marvin Thompson
14: Chris Burns
15: Keith Knight
16: Lee Randall
for Luke Corbett
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This league has a vast array of football grounds. Twerton Park in Bath, The Grove in Halesowen, The Walks at Kings Lynn and even Meadow Park being among the best examples whilst at the lower end of the scale you have Cheshunt, Cirencester and Lodge Roar at Yate.
Just our luck that we visited when it rained. Still those of us unlucky not to get under the limited covered found some shelter under the huge fir trees alongside the pitch.
Changes were made to the City team after the Halesowen game with at least two being enforced due to the budget cuts with both Alex Sykes and Lee Davis being released. Daryl Addis kept his place up front and had the perfect opportunity to show the City faithful what we would've missed had he left. He didn't and many of the disguntled travelling T-Enders were left asking questions of why Addis was kept and Davis discarded.
In midfield Dave Wilkinson laboured. He did nothing other than talk his way into the referee's notebook with only a few minutes of the game gone. This would come back to haunt him at the start of the second half.
Despite enjoying an equal amount of possession Yate went into a two goal lead midway through the first half. Former City left back Dave Elsey dinked in a cross for the unmarked Jason Wood to stoop and head the ball home before Steve Campbell found the far corner with a low drive following a clever cut back from the touchline.
There was hope though as after Wilko had been bundled over on the edge of the box Luke Corbett stepped up to curl a beautiful free kick up over the wall and into the top corner. Luke has been a real pickmeup for City and quite what he did wrong at his previous clubs not to be given a fair crack of the whip is beyond me.
A second goal before the break would've given the Tigers a decent footing for the second half but it didn't come, thus laying the foundations for a Yate victory.
However at the start of the second period Elsey put in an awesome show to nail on the three points for the Lodge Road outfit. His provocation of Wilko as City lined up for a free kick was nothing short of award winning as he pinched the City mans nipples, grabbed his crotch and stamped on his foot. Wilko pushed Elsey away, Elsey went down like a sack of shit and the referee booked them both. A villian (Elsey) and an idiot (the referee) did Dave Wilkinson. Who says cheats don't prosper?
A couple of minutes later Neil Griffiths talked his way into the book, obviously telling the ref what had happened but these self important bastards never listen. He'd let heavy challenges by Chenoweth and Brice go in the run up to the free kick that led to the red card but was happy to book people for verbals. I hate referees like that.
Jimmy Cox, City's best player of the past few years came off the bench for the home team. We're struggling for strikers and Jimmy is at Yate. How insulting is that?
Former Mangotsfield striker Darren Edwards added to City's misery when he dived to head a cross into the far corner to make it three and it would've been fairer on City if the full time whistle had been blown there and then.
With a little under fifteen minutes remaining Chris Burns brought on Lee Randall for Corbett. Having pushed four up front whilst chasing the game at Halesowen going with two in attack whilst two goals down at Yate spoke volumes.
Another defeat continued our festive season of woe and with big spenders Salisbury City at Meadow Park on Monday another defeat beckons? |
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| Page last updated : 2nd January 2006 |
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