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| Match Summaries : March 2006 |
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| Northwood 0-1 City : Saturday March 4th 2006 |
Northwood
1: Liam Watson
2: Gary Meakin
(booked 79 mins)
3: Fergus Moore
(sub 45 mins)
4: Jason O'Connor
5: James Shipperley
6: Wayne Carter
(sub 58 mins)
7: Luke Garrard
8: Dean Clark
9: Darren Grieves
(sub 64 mins)
10: Peter Dean
11: Gavin Hart
Substitutes
12: Billy Matthews
14: Shayne Demetrious
for Wayne Carter
15: Rob Courtnage
for Fergus Moore
(booked 86 mins)
16: Alistair Heselton
for Darren Grieves
17: Rob Bullivant
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jon Miller
3: Paul Stonehouse
4: Mark Preece
5: Chris Holland
6: Adie Harris
7: Chris Thompson
8: Tom Webb
9: Jody Bevan
(sub 80 mins)
10: Mike Whittington
(goal 50 mins)
(sub 87 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Jamie Reid
14: Luke Corbett
for Jody Bevan
15: Daryl Addis
for Mike Whittington
16: Lee Randall
17: Richard Mansell
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If the Tigers are to beat the drop this season then these are the games that need to be won, so you won't hear too many complaints from the boistorous fans that made the two hundred mile round trip to watch their team edge through in this scrappy encounter.
Following the midweek defeat to a youthful Bristol Rovers side Tim Harris had reverted to his strongest side with Adie Harris at the heart of midfield on the eve of his forty-second birthday.
Northwood had seemed as though they were doomed for the best part of the season although their recent improving form had actually lifted them above the Tigers as the battle to avoid the drop hots up.
Being a London side the majority of their players would've been unfamilar to the City fans but the one that stood out was James Shipperley, the ungainly older version of Sheffield United's former Crystal Palace, Southampton and Chelsea striker Neil.
Just to clear up any confusion, Wood striker Peter Dean wasn't the guy that used to play Pete Beale in Eastenders, that popular local docu-soap!
If anyone was nervous about how important the outcome of this game was it wasn't Harris' men as they took the game to their hosts. Although on a pitch even bumpier than Meadow Park the well supported City strikers weren't able to put the finishing touches to the chances that they created.
In form forward Michael Whittington had a great opportunity to find the net when the ball fell kindly for him but his shot on the turn was directed straight at Liam Watson in the Northwood goal. However the home side would be left to rue the miss from Darren Grieves after City's defence was sliced open yet the striker shot high over the bar and into the graveyard beyond.
Half time came all too quickly but it gave supporters chance to either bask in the Northwood sun, grab a half time tray of jellied eels or have a gander at the array of graffiti daubed around the ground.
The home side snuck on a substitute for the start of the second period but only the sharp eyed would've spotted as there was no public announcement of note.
But the pivotal moment came after fifty minutes when Tom Webb sent in a low cross which mare-having striker Jody Bevan fired an air shot at before Whittington calmly controlled and squeezed his effort in off the post.
Minutes later the home team made another change and Whittington had the chance to double his tally when he beat the offside trap but took too long to bring the bouncing ball under control and his shot hit a defender who'd raced back to block.
Had Northwood found the net with their only chance of the half it would've been grossly unfair on the Tigers. Wood were appalling and it was hard to see how they'd strung together their recent results so when Dean Clark headed straight at Matt Bath from close range the travelling support breathed a sigh of relief.
Full back Gary Meakin was booked for a foul on Whittington as he raced down the right wing before Bevan was withdrawn after an afternoon full of effort but lacking in invention. He was replaced by Luke Corbett.
Substitute Rob Courtnage became their second player to be booked after he freight-trained Whitt as they both went for a head height ball. The Wood man clearly didn't approve as he mouthed his opinions towards the referee although it was quite disturbing to hear both officials saying "Rob, Rob, calm down....".
First name terms? Shocking!!!
Just time for another change as Daryl Addis replaced the goalscorer Whittington. It gave the City man a few more minutes as he worked his way back from his recent injury but the sub was only ever to waste time.
The ref whistled for the end of the game and the City fans went mad whilst the home fans just went home! |
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| City 3-0 Team Bath : Saturday March 11th 2006 |
City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jon Miller
3: Paul Stonehouse
4: Mark Preece
5: Chris Holland
6: Adie Harris
7: Chris Thompson
8: Tom Webb
(goal 20 mins)
9: Jody Bevan
(goal 26 mins)
(sub 80 mins)
10: Mike Whittington
(sub 51 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
(sub 87 mins)
Substitutes
12: Daryl Addis
for Jody Bevan
14: Luke Corbett
for Mike Whittington
(goal 81 mins)
15: Richard Mansell
16: Lee Randall
for Dave Wilkinson
17: Lyndon Tompkins
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Team Bath
1: Darren Chitty
2: Peter Tisdale
3: Matt Townley
4: Paul Tisdale
(sub 63 mins)
5: Alex Frost
6: Kes Metitiri
7: Ryan Jerwood
8: Marc Canham
(booked 24 mins)
9: Bertie Cozic
(sub 63 mins)
10: Adi Adams
11: Joe Long
Substitutes
12: Dean Coppard
16: Ali Otto
18: Danny Maye
for Paul Tisdale
19: Blake Newbold
for Bertie Cozic
21: Jacob Giles
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From past experience we knew that the University team would play good football and their full time status would mean that they'd be much fitter than the City players so when we had the ball we had to take our chances, and that's exactly what we did twice in six first half minutes.
A Matt Bath clearance found Michael Whittington on the half way line and the diminutive striker stood up well to control the ball and lay it off into the path of Jody Bevan. Tom Webb accompanied the former Cinderford striker as he charged forward and just at the right moment released a perfectly weighted ball forwards that Webb stabbed home ahead of a lunge by Matt Townley.
More pressure followed from Harris' men and after a corner Chris Holland chased a flicked header from Dave Wilkinson and the on-loan defender was hacked on the ankle by Paul Tisdale as he got to the ball a milisecond ahead of his opponent. The referee had no option but to point to the penalty spot from where Bevan made no mistake with his second successful spot kick in five games.
In between the two goals Team Bath captain Marc Canham became the only player of the game to be booked when he was guilty of a trip on Paul Stonehouse as the wing back tricked his way around the student.
For all their possession in the first half the Twerton Park tenants couldn't seem to find a way past their former graduate Holland and their only real chance of note came when City's Chris Thompson cleared Bathy with a back header, although thankfully it bounced wide of the far post as both players stood and watched.
Just six minutes into the second half Whittington seemed to take a knock during a sliding tackle by Kes Metitiri and was replaced by Luke Corbett. The Tigers' leading scorer added a new dimension to the City front line with his height and trickery and now he's fit will surely give Tim Harris a selection nightmare for the last few games of the season.
A double substitution by the students didn't really help as former Football League player Bertie Cozic and Paul Tisdale made way for Danny Maye and Blake Newbold.
Time passed and City were left to chase shadows but again the academic strikeforce couldn't penetrate the yellow and black rearguard. Harris made another change with Daryl Addis replacing Bevan and the striker was cheered off by the noisy T-End after have a much improved performance follow his abysmal one seven days earlier.
The result was put beyond doubt when Corbett rose highest at the far post to head home Holland's pinpoint free kick. Luke's certainly knows how to celebrate his goals and his effort after this strike didn't disappoint as he danced his way across the area towards the corner flag.
Wilko was replaced by Lee Randall for the final ten minutes after becoming embroiled in an altercation with opposite number Joe Long. The Bath midfielder had been putting himself about all afternoon and following a clash with the City man acted as though he'd been headbutted in a move to get the City number eleven carded although the referee wasn't impressed by the students and their claims.
With the final whistle the immensely satisfying victory mean't that City have now taken ten points from their last twelve and are unbeaten in six games whilst they also kept pace with the pack at the bottom of the table who all seemed to win as well! |
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| City 2-0 Yate Town : Tuesday March 21st 2006 |
City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jon Miller
(booked 23 mins)
3: Paul Stonehouse
4: Mark Preece
5: Chris Holland
6: Adie Harris
(sub 81 mins)
7: Chris Thompson
8: Tom Webb
9: Jody Bevan
10: Mike Whittington
(goals 12 & 42 mins)
(sub 45 mins)
11: Dave Wilkinson
Substitutes
12: Jamie Reid
14: Daryl Addis
for Adie Harris
15: Luke Corbett
for Mike Whittington
16: Lee Randall
17: Lyndon Tompkins
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Yate Town
1: Tony Court
2: Adam Sims
3: Dave Elsey
4: Scott Brice
5: Lee Jeffries
6: Mike Wyatt
7: Jason Wood
8: Paul Chenoweth
9: Paul Metheringham
10: Lee Vickerman
(booked 47 mins)
(sub 76 mins)
11: Jimmy Cox
Substitutes
12: Christian Sylvester
for Lee Vickerman
14: Bradley Thomas
15: Steve Campbell
16: Darren Edwards
17: Lee Bridson
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Following on from their blank weekend the Tigers faced a tricky home game against an in-form Yate Town team including five former City players.
Lining up for the Bristol team were David "Boo" Elsey, Lee Jeffries, Mike Wyatt, Paul Chenoweth and Jimmy Cox. Tim Harris kept faith with the team that had performed so well recently so again Luke Cornett had to make do with a place on the bench.
After disappointing in his last season with City Coxy had linked up with the Bluebells upon his return from travelling in Australia but hadn't really caught the goalscoring bug at Lodge Road. He had a chance straight away tonight though but when put through he shot wide of Matt Bath's far post.
They were left to count that miss on twelve minutes though when an instinctive through ball from Tom Webb (hooked over his shoulder) set Michael Whittington free on goal with just Lee Vickerman for company. It needn't of mattered though as the hotshot striker easily beat Yate keeper with what looked like a mis-hit shot from the edge of the box to send the noisy T-End into raptures.
It could and should've been two just minutes later when Jody Bevan easily muscled Jethro off the ball and shot under Court but his shot died on the line as he was cruelly denied his first goal from open play.
Jon Miller became the first City player to be booked for four games when he was easily beaten by Yate's impressive winger Jason Wood. The only option Miller had was to bodycheck his opponent after he'd swerved around him and the foul was so dramatic that the referee had no choice but to produce a yellow card.
Despite a period of dominance from the away side which saw no veteran midfielder Chenoweth scampering around the pitch like an eighteen year old it was City who broke to score their second of the game. Another through ball found Whitts and the race to goal with an overweight Dave Elsey was no contest for the striker who easily beat Court before being deliberately caught late by the goalkeeper as he wheeled away in celebration.
Despite coming back on after treatment the two goal striker was replaced by Luke Corbett at half time.
Corbett's first action saw him involved in a clash with Vickerman for which the Yate player was cautioned.
There are often games where you'd gladly hear the final whistle at the interval. Well this was one of them as the second half turned out to be a non-event.
It might've sprung to life halfway through had Paul Metheringham's effort stood but the Yate striker had strayed into an offside position. Bevan had a glorious chance to make it three when a defensive lapse saw him go one on one with the keeper from an angle but his drilled shot not only beat Court but also beat the upright as it nestled into the side netting.
With ten minutes remaining a surge to one of the lights brought a slight murmur to the home fans with the thought of the game being abandoned so late in the day. After all, it wouldn't be the first time that City v's Yate had been lost to floodlight failure!
But City (and the lights) held out. A win at Aylesbury on Saturday should really extinguish any remaining doubts about relegation. |
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| Aylesbury United 0-1 City : Saturday March 25th 2006 |
Aylesbury United
1: Reece Kirk
2: Dean Powles
3: Tony Joyce
4: Rob Gould
5: Matt Hayward
6: Paul Kelly
7: Leon Gutzmore
8: Kieron Deane
9: Richard Pringle
10: Nick Jackson
11: Mark Bridge
(sub 82 mins)
Substitutes
12: Aston Goss
for Mark Bridge
14: Matthew Butler
15: David Barratt
16: Bilal Hassan
17: Damon Ming
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City
1: Matt Bath
2: Jon Miller
3: Paul Stonehouse
4: Mark Preece
5: Chris Holland
6: Adie Harris
(sub 58 mins)
7: Chris Thompson
8: Tom Webb
9: Jody Bevan
10: Daryl Addis
11: Dave Wilkinson
(goal 80 mins)
Substitutes
12: Jamie Reid
14: Luke Corbett
for Adie Harris
15: Lyndon Tompkins
16: Lee Randall
17: Andy Varnham
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Now unbeaten in eight games, including four consecutive wins all points are well appreciated although sometimes they come at a cost. This time it was Aylesbury's who now find themselves in a virtually hopeless position after this defeat.
With Michael Whittington injured for the remainder of the season Tim Harris surprised many by opting for an Addis and Bevan partnership up front whilst ignoring top scorer Luke Corbett who again had to make do with a place on the bench. Harris has done wonders to turn the formbook around but why he leaves Corbs out is a mystery.
The Ducks always seem to play better than they supposedly are when they face City and today was no different, I expected them to be dire but to be fair to them they had the better of the chances but no luck in front of goal.
Whilst all City could do was build up play nicely as soon as they got near the goal the finish wasn't there and one particular effort from Paul Stonehouse that endangered low flying ducks pretty much summed up why.
Aylesbury had the best chance of the first half when Richard Pringle did well to hold up a through ball in the area before backheeling it into the path of Mark Bridge but the striker fired wide of Matt Bath's far post.
The home side pressed again but a shot from Jackson didn't have the legs to trouble the rejuvenated Bath and Dave Wilkinson was unlucky when he met Jon Miller's cross at the far post with his head but couldn't direct it at the target.
In the second half the rain lashed down. Fortunately the minimal cover was more than enough for the meagre crowd, a good proportion of which had travelled from Gloucester and as usual were in good voice.
Good work betwen Jackson and Pringle saw the former gallop free of the City defence from a wide position but a heavy touch saw the ball roll to Bathy and kill the attack as he bore down on goal. The City keeper was tested again as Leon Gutzmore broke free at the far post to meet a free kick and would've been disappointed to see Bath equal to his header that he stooped to nod goalwards.
Harris finally brought on Corbett (for Adie Harris) and Daryl Addis dropped back into midfield.
As the Ducks got frustrated they resorted to long range efforts to no avail but Wilko showed them how it was done as a corner was cleared to Tom Webb who fed the City man and watched in awe as his first time left footed effort went up and over a crowded penalty area before dipping under the crossbar and into the top corner.
The game had had nil nil written all over it until that point!
It wasn't too late for Neil Trebble's men to grab a point though and they might've done if Gutzmore was built like Peter Crouch but the striker was just too short to get a touch on a ball that rolled across the unguarded six yard line.
But City held on to win and make it eighteen points taken from the last available twenty-four. |
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| Page last updated : 28th March 2006 |
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