One eye forward, one eye looking over the shoulder at where Stafford, Gainsborough and Hyde are in the lower reaches of the BSN table.
This wasn't a comfortable evening to be a City fan. Two goals midway through the first half and the full-time professionals of Stalybridge were cruising against a City side which whilst not lacking effort were definitely lacking the ability to get behind their opponents and cause the damage that might've earned a point.
It might've been oh-so-different had Darren Edwards found the luck that has deserted him lately when he made a fool of Stalybridge Captain Rhys Meynell lifting the ball over him twice before volleying at goal with his left foot but with goalkeeper Jan Budtz beaten his shot narrowly missed the target.
As so often happens after a near miss like that Celtic took the lead when Matt Coupe was adjudged to have climbed over Craig Hobson on the edge of the area, it could've so easily been a penalty, but it matter little as after a short delay and some possible kidology by the Stalybridge players Phil Marsh fired a shot low and hard right where Mike Green was stood only for the City right back to jump and allow the ball under him giving Kev Sawyer no chance.
The second was a hammer blow for the Tigers. A proper route one goal saw the ball travel from the boot of Budtz to the head of Hobson who flicked the ball into an alarming amount of space where Adam Kay set up Marsh to fire a deflected shot past the helpless Sawyer.
To be fair to the Manchester team they deserved their lead and even though City did carve out one or two opening they were either denied by a last ditch block by a man in blue or a whistle or flag by a man in black.
The team from Bower Fold might've won by a more comfortable margin but for excellent goalkeeping by Sawyer including a late save when he turned an effort by Conner Jennings onto the post before diving on the rebound.
Elsewhere Hyde succumbed to an eighty-ninth minute goal from Andy Todd at Eastwood as City's nine point cushion at the bottom looks like it might need fluffing with another win.
City : Sawyer, Green (Tambling 70), Parrinello, Coupe, Fawke (Evans 55), Rose (Mann 55), Mullings, Webb, Edwards, Symons, Weir. Sub n/u: Mustoe
On the face of it that sounds like a pretty dreadful result but the fact of the matter is that it was a relatively even game with both sides making chances and as the game wore on both sides canceling each other out.
What set the two sides apart though was that both teams had a centre-forward on loan from a League Two club and that Harrogate's was more adept at finding the back of the net. Three times in fact.
Whilst Sam Malsom has started to look half decent recently, he played a part in some of City's more notable attacks today, it was hard not to be impressed by the power and technique of Chib Chilaka, the Nigerian who plundered goals as early as the third minute and then midway through the first half with a lob and in the second with a poachers finish in the six yard box.
Maybe he'd have had a harder time against Matt Coupe who didn't travel. Will Morford wasn't on the coach either and his spark was missing up front where Darren Edwards' luckless run in front of goal continued although it wasn't for the want of trying.
Edwards was also nearly as exasperated as TR by a referee (and one of his assistants) who was seeing things that neither or us could, he was by far the worst official that I've seen in a while.
City had their chances; moments after the opening goal Tyler Weir hit the outside of the post from twenty yards, Malsom's snap shot found the keepers midriff and Edwards diverted his strike partner's close centre goalwards only to see a microfibre of the keepers glove flick it onto the far post.
Matt Rose had enjoyed his battle with Chilaka at the back and his distribution was a high point, very little lumping the ball forward from him plus Mike Tambling, with a rare start in the centre of midfield may have to work on the defensive aspect of his game there but tried to pass the ball and on at least one occasion made one of those late offside beating runs into the area that Brian Hughes used to do back in the day!
A frustrating afternoon got, sadly, worse after the hour when established players Tom Webb and Mike Symons came on as substitutes, a move which would normally invigorate a flagging City but both of them seemed to help the game degenerate rather than strengthen a push for an equaliser.
On this showing Boris might have some easy decisions to make in the summer.
Darren Edwards tries his luck for City at Harrogate
Tuesday March 22nd 2011
Darren Mullings twelve goals now
Will Morford outstanding display
It's taken over a decade but City have finally beaten Hinckley United!
Don't be fooled by the scoreline either, it may have only been 2-1 but we absolutely battered them, is it any wonder that City fans age so badly when they have to survive tense endings to football matches like they did tonight? I suppose that was the silver lining in having such a poor crowd, but after Saturday's show against Stafford the low turnout was no real surprise.
The star of the show for City was Will Morford, who was moved to centre forward from the left wing to replace his house mate Mike Symons. No-one can knock Symo's effort but whilst he can be a useful shield to hold up the ball more and more recently he has wanted far too many touches and has been crowded out by defenders before he could lay off that decisive pass.
Whilst Morf admittedly has had a lean period in front of goal when the ball is played to feet his link up play can be devastating and was instrumental tonight with flicks and back-heels that carved open the Hinckley defence. He even won a penalty that saw Hinckley keeper Ian Deakin sent off and ended up being stretchered off after tweaking his hamstring stretching for an illusive goal to cap his fine display.
One player who hasn't had too much trouble finding the net in recent weeks has been Darren Edwards but he was firing blanks tonight, we can forgive him that though so it was just as well that midfield dynamo Darren Mullings had his shooting boots as goals towards the end of both half's won the points for the Tigers.
His first was a wonderful turn and shot from an angle which had hit the back of the net before Deakin could react and his second was from Morford's lay off which might've taken a slight deflection to leave Deakin rocking on his heels as the ball almost burst the net. He should've had a hat-trick but drove his spot kick down the middle where stand-in keeper Sam Belcher blocked his powerful attempt.
Belcher had levelled the scores at the start of the second half when he tapped in a flick on at the far post for what turned out to be a consolation goal whilst City really could have finished the game with as many as nine goals!
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No. It's Darren Mullings.
Saturday March 19th 2011
Tyler Weir equaliser
Will Morford hit the bar twice
Is Boris' prediction that we'd need six more points enough or are we dragging ourselves into another relegation battle? We'll see at 9.40 on Tuesday!
Some might've billed this encounter as a six-pointer, Stafford certainly would so they'll be delighted with the three that they took back up the M5 following Niall Maguire's late, late winner.
There were people bemoaning Darren Edwards whose pass to Tyler Weir had gone for a throw which led to the winning goal but that would be unfair on City's number nine who some suggested had a bad game because he didn't score but at least he was trying to attack and win a game which could've gone either way.
There was also a call for Boris' head at the final whistle. He has a lot of responsibility to uphold before the end of the season so that suggestion has been roundly pooh-poohed too.
As it was, following a turgid first half display that saw Stafford pose much more of a threat than supposed Championship hopefuls Nuneaton had in midweek we were happy to go in on level terms after Weir had scored a somewhat fortunate equaliser in what seemed well beyond the alloted lone minute of injury time.
Captain Jermaine Johnson, a player who was with Tamworth for the shortest time ever had given Rangers the lead when he connected with a flicked on corner before dancing a jig to celebrate. That was the first half.
But as City had scored at the right time, the start of the second half showed that David Mehew's Tigers had their tails up and how they didn't go ahead is anyone's guess although Will Morford will have more ideas than most as he managed to hit the bar twice from almost underneath the frame of the goal.
Mike Symons was frustrated too and it's easy to forget that he hasn't scored a BSN goal since the opener at Marston Road in October. Just Edwards and Darren Mullings are keeping City's goals for column ticking over and some of the more established players need to contribute if they don't want to be playing Southern League football again.
Whether that's in a Gloucester City shirt or not might not matter.
City will play away at Guiseley on April 19th, k/o 7.45pm.
A reflection of City's game against Stafford Rangers
Tuesday March 15th 2011
Matt Rose immense
Sam Malsom great chance
As far as points go, the one that City won tonight at Nuneaton Town is as good as they get.
Surprisingly sitting atop the league table at this stage of the season following their promotion as Southern League playoff winners last year the club born from the remains of the former debt ridden Nuneaton Borough are within reach of the Conference national but on tonights showing they neither deserve a place there or will last more than one season if they do go up.
What made the draw even more remarkable was that Tigers' boss David Mehew had such limited resources due to injury and fatigue that he picked five teenagers; Tyler Weir, James Fawke, Sam Malsom and his nephew George Lloyd plus he gave a debut to Development XI midfielder Matt Liddiard.
But the star of the show as far as City were concerned was captain Matt Rose who went to box to box and played like he was ten years younger although when he wakes up tomorrow morning chances are he'll feel as though he's twenty years older!
Whilst some who'd heard the team might've written the game off the way that Mehew's men played for the opening half hour would've surprised them and supposedly injured and departing striker Sam Malsom had a great chance to sign off with a goal as he raced through but was closed down and denied by Nuneaton keeper Danny Alcock, a keeper who was once indirectly linked to City.
His opposite number Kev Sawyer shone through too in his full orange kit and was in the right place at the right time whenever the home side posed a threat. Big Kev did well to save a near post header at a corner which looked in and was also well placed to keep the score at nil-nil at the end of Nuneaton's only fluent footballing move of the game.
City made changes at the start of the second half which gave them strength but they only served to help batten down the hatches as the home side finally found some kind of form. But the Coventry team failed to test Sawyer directly and had City had a bit more composure up front despite all of their hard work we may be reading about three points now instead of just the one.
Sam Malsom is closed down by Nuneaton keeper Danny Alcock for City's best chance
Saturday March 12th 2011
Kev Sawyer under pressure!
City's topsy-turvy run of form hit another trough this afetrnoon as the fell to a late defeat at York Street against Boston United.
A fine defensive display from David Mehew's men finally succumbed to an 80th header from Shaun Pearson as the home side peppered Kev Sawyer's goal throughout the game.
With Corby's new ground directly behind their Rockinhgam Triangle stadium nearing completion City won with the last ever visit to the "old place" to record their sixth successive victory over the Steelmen.
Whilst it wasn't the greatest of games, City only had three shots on goal but Darren Edwards was on hand to score from two of them, one in each half, three points is three points and if Boris' suggestion that we needed two wins to stay up then this will mean that we will stay up!
City : Sawyer, Weir (Mustoe 90), Parrinello, Coupe, Evans, Rose, Mullings, Webb, Edwards, Symons, Morford (Tambling 88). Sub n/u: Mehew
Monday March 7th 2011
Mike Tambling cool finish
City are out of the County Cup after a very young and inexperienced team lost 2-5 at Whaddon tonight aganist a team of professionals.
Goals from Mike Tambling and Boris' nephew George Lloyd weren't enough to see the Tigers through to a game against Bristol Rovers in the semi-final.
City : Sawyer, Preece, Varnham, Evans (Mustoe 57), Mann, Weir, James (Prictor 68), Tambling, Lloyd, Morford, Symons (Webb 57). Sub n/u: Mace
Saturday March 5th 2011
Darren Edwards penalty success
Mike Tambling scythed down
Adam Mann horses ass, banjo
Mission Accomplished.
Anyone who thought this was going to be a walk in the park, or a repeat of the 5-0 we handed to Redditch in August would've been frustrated at the Valley Stadium today. And most City fans were as the game remained goalless after ninety minutes. But a rash challenge on Mike Tambling and a cool finish from the spot by Darren Edwards handed City all three points.
There was even time for afters as the teams left the field at the final whistle was Matt Coupe was sucker punched by Redditch substitute Josh McKenzie and there was even some fisticuffs from a Redditch steward in the ensuing melee!
After going public about slashing their wage bill to zero a month or so ago Redditch have lost a host of players and replaced them with kids. Kids who are learning quickly and not only almost denied City three points but could've taken them all for themselves if they could shoot.
On a mostly grass free, sloping and undulating pitch City struggled to play much football althought they dominated in and around the Redditch penalty area without really threatening home keeper Jake Bedford. The home side had to make do with counter attacks and set pieces and from one headed just over the bar whilst on a break away the ball fell kindly for Martin Crawford who could only manage an air shot injured himself in the process.
Darren Edwards almost scored a clever overhead kick from the acutest of angles but the main talking point was on the stroke of half time when Neil Mustoe took a booking for the team with a foul on the right hand side which prevented a cross to two unmarked teammates.
Mustoe was replaced not long into the second half along with Will Morford as the introduction of Tyler Weir and Adam Mann gave City the impetus.
Weir, the youngster from Hereford tried his luck with a low twenty-five yard drive which just missed the far post whilst Mann will want to forget his miss from six yards from Edwards' wonderful centre. The provider then almost scored himself when his shot was cleared off the line and defence was turned into an attack and Redditch sub Josh McKenzie was through against Kev Sawyer but shot wide.
With the game into injury time City final substitute Mike Tambling showed great skill to turn Reds captain Joe Hull and as he laid off a ball to Darren Mullings was taken out by a late challenge just inside the area.
The referee pointed to the spot, Edwards sent the keeper the wrong way and three points were in the bag.
And as the teams left the field there were some ugly scenes as Redditch striker McKenzie punched Matt Coupe in the back of the head!
With Tom Hamblin now likely to miss the rest of the season City have added defender Tom Evans to the squad to replace him. The young centre-half has recently been released by Worcester City and has also played for Swindon Town and Weston-super-Mare.
Mike Tambling is fouled by Redditch defender Joe Hull for the decisive penalty
Tuesday March 1st 2011
Darren Mullings missed penalty
As almost expected City fell to defeat at Alfreton tonight to make it three losses on the bounce as they went down 0-4 at the Impact Arena against the fancied Derbyshire outfit.
After conceeding two goal in three first half minutes Darren Mullings had a great opportunity to pull a goal back but missed from the penalty spot. A goal would've rid us of the unwanted statistic that we haven't score a league goal away from home in midweek at all this season. Two further goals from the home side completed the rout.
City have added young midfielder Tyler Weir to the squad on a months loan from Hereford United.
Saturday February 26th 2011
Will Morford own goal agony
Darren Mullings 10th of the season
"Relegation form" was what one City fan said after the final whistle as City surrendered 1-3 all too easily to an Eastwood Town side who looked as though they were at the wrong end of the table.
Tom Hamblin had been patched up and was able to take his place in the heart of City's defence and it was his presence which stopped the Nottingham team from taking the lead as they dominated the opening throes. Against the run of play Adam Mann lofted in a ball to Darren Edwards but the in-form striker headed straight at goalkeeper John Danby, who was wearing Kev Sawyer's spare pink goalkeepers jersey. I wonder why Kev let him have the pink one?!!
However when the Badgers did eventually break through Sawyer's face might've been a shade closer to his opposite numbers shirt as he called for and came to claim a cross that was never his and left a gaping hole for Matt Rhead to flick the ball into.
Minutes later it was two when Lee Stevenson collected a hopeful clearance and shot in off of Sawyer's far post. Some said that Kev was to blame for that too although TR can't see what he could've done to prevent it. The 0-2 scoreline at the break flattered City.
The third goal summed up City's day as Will Morford was in the wrong place at the wrong time to deflect a free kick beyond Sawyer, although one could easily think that it hadn't happened due to the inaudible response from the Eastwood players and minimal number of travelling fans.
Morford later said that "The ball came in very quick from the free kick and Rhead went for the ball but he didn't get to it in time, it hit me on the hip and went in, there was nothing I could do about it. Had it happened from a City corner it would've probably gone over the bar knowing my luck!"
The Tigers did try to force their way back into the game when Darren Mullings coolly scored from the spot when Morford had been bundled over but it was too little, too late and one wonders how a battered and bruised City team will fare at league favourites Alfreton Town on Tuesday.
City : Sawyer, Green (Mustoe 45), Parrinello, Coupe, Hamblin (Rose 26), Mann (Symons 45), Mullings, Webb, Edwards, Malsom, Morford Subs n/u : Tambling, Mehew
Kev Sawyer makes himself big to stop Eastwood's Lindon Meikle adding a third
Tuesday February 22nd 2011
Michael Green rare error
A momentous day for Gloucester City off the field was spoiled by happenings on it as the team travelled to Gainsborough Trintity and became only the second team this season to lose at Northolme, the other was Redditch!
The Gainsborough website treated us to such reviews as "a very poor game between two really abysmal sides" and "on tonight's display they wouldn't look out of place in the Southern League Midland Division". Whether the City fans who didn't make the trip choose to take that with a pinch of salt or not those kind of comments rarely make pleasant reading.
A defensive error fromn the usually reliable Michael Green allowed Trinity a late second goal after they'd taken the lead from former Corby striker Leon Mettam at the start of the second half.
Any City fan setting foot inside Hempsted Village Hall today will have been delighted to see the plans for the new stadium to be built at the site of Meadow Park. The new stadium will be ever so slightly northwest of the abandoned home vacated in 2007 and will include car parking and to the rear, industrial units.
Also on view were indications of the extent of the earthworks required to protect the whole area from any future flooding, whilst the plans also includes off street parking for residents of nearby Sudmeadow Road.
Saturdays game at Guiseley fell victim to overnight snow in Yorkshire.
An artists impression of the new Meadow Park Stadium
Wednesday February 16th 2011
City fans happy days
If you're anything like me you'd have had a double take when walking past the news stand today when you glimpsed the City badge on the front page because the announcement that we've been waiting four years to see has been made.
City are coming home.
The club owners intend to apply for planning permission to redevelope the area around Meadow Park with flood prevention measures which will keep the River Severn at bay next time it misbehaves and also benefit local homes and businesses with a bund to channel flood waters away from the area.
The plans will be on display at Hempsted Village Hall on Tuesday February 22nd with representatives from the club on hand to help curious locals and fans alike.
The back page of the Citizen made great reading for City's fans tonight
Tuesday February 15th 2011
Darren Edwards showboat!
Sarah Garratt referee-ess
Just 177 people paid to watch City beat Vauxhall Motors 1-0 tonight.
That's pathetic Gloucester.
Whilst thousands of City residents were glued to their TV screens watching AC Milan v's Tottenham the Tigers' faithful were being treated their teams second win in four days as Darren Edwards again silenced the boo boys with his fifth goal for the club. And what a goal!
It's fair to say that the a game lacking quality was injected with just enough as Edwards collected a pass on the edge of the six yard box with his back to goal before nonchelantly flicking it with the inside of his left foot through his legs and into the bottom corner of Scott Tynan's net.
That was actually City's first shot on target and possibly their only one in a game where the Motormen, much improved from last seasons "relegated" team hit the post twice; once in each half but their main stat for the game were the two red crads they were shown by referee Sarah Garratt.
The Halesowen official had sent two City players off in the last game that she officiated for the Tigers so redressed the balance when, seemingly on the advice of her assistant gave Motors captain Josh Wilson his marching orders following a meaty, but even looking clash with Michael Green that she'd originally waved play-on for. The Scouse wit of substitute Leighton McGivern was too much as he talked himself into two yellow cards, with or without references that Andy Gray might've been proud of!
With the game heading into injury time some City fans, Tiger Roar included might've been frustrated at City's lack of ambition against nine men but what we didn't know was that our side was effectively handicapped to the same number with Green and Hamblin both struggling.
In the end it didn't matter as the final whistle signalled City's second win on the bounce ahead of two tricky away games at Guiseley and Gainsborough Trinity.
On the night that such an appalling number of people paid to watch City it was reported that both Hector Mackie and Lewis Pountney have been released due to budget cuts. Tiger Roar wishes both players all the best.
Will Morford shoots from a narrow angle against Vauxhall Motors
Saturday February 12th 2011
Darren Edwards hat trick hero
Darren Mullings penalty saved
Darren Edwards became the first Gloucester City striker to score a hat-trick since Marcus Palmer did so on his debut at Rugby Town in February 2008 as the Tigers mauled Hyde 3-1 at Ewen Fields today.
The former Bath man netted his first goal after nine minutes when he may or may not have got a touch to Tom Parrinello's corner; what did matter though was that the ball found the back of the net. Sadly City could only hold onto their lead for a minute as the home side equalised when Kevin Holsgrave followed up from a narrow angle after Kev Sawyer had parried his initial effort.
Both sides had a great chance to take a lead into the break when they had penalties and both missed. Well, Darren Mullings' effort was saved whilst the Hyde spot kick smacked against the crossbar.
In the second half the home side felt aggrieved after they had a goal chalked off after the referee blew up for a free kick a couple of seconds before the ball hit the net but there was no doubt as City took the lead when Edwards powered home Mike Green's cross with his head to grab his second.
After Mike Symons had missed from a one-on-one Edwards claimed his hat-trick and made all three points safe when he dribbled past two defenders and ran in towards goal from a narrow angle before finishing with aplomb.
The win moves City to seventeenth, overtaking Hyde in the process and putting themselves a potential nineteen points clear of the final relegation place.
City have added striker Sam Malsom to the squad on a one month loan from Hereford United.
Monday February 7th 2011
Kev Sawyer best of a bad bunch
City fell to a disappointing 0-3 defeat at Hinckley tonight after first half goals from James Reid and Lloyd Kerry were added to with an injury time third, again from Reid. Kev Sawyer impressed the home fans with his goalkeeping on a night where his opposite number didn't have a shot to save.
If you thought our unseen handball incident at Boston Utd was an injustice, check out this clip from Saturday's FA Trophy tie between Blyth Spartans and Droylsden!
Friday February 4th 2011
Adam Mann came of age
Darren Edwards free header
Tom Webb forced save
Darren Mullings shot smothered
Mike Tambling first touch effort
The Wembley dream is over for another year but everyone connected with City can hold their heads up high after a fantastic performance on and off the field at Kenilworth Road tonight in the FA Trophy third round.
After a mystery tour of a coach journey to the Bedfordshire town memories of similar excursions to Bedford itself and Luton's neighbours Dunstable Town were now so far behind us as a fixture of this magnitude underlined how far the club has moved forwards recent years.
However it was hard to believe how Luton looked at this game as anything other than low-key, a similar view to how we've looked at previous League or County Cup competitions. They have more than one eye on retaining their place in the Football League so whilst a trip to Wembley might be nice for them it's nothing more than a sideshow to the main event for them.
And that attitude seemed to be shared by their supporters too with just over two thousand bothering to come along tonight, whilst the official figure of 152 from City may have been easily doubled had the game taken place on a Saturday but it did seem like more and those travelling T-Enders certainly made themselves heard throughout the game.
Adam Mann seemed to be the only surprise in the City line-up but just as Tom Webb had done against Woking and Southport eight years earlier the youth team graduate belied his tender age with a superb performance on the left wing that almost yielded a goal when his wind assisted cross beat Luton keeper Kevin Pilkington and smashed back off the post, along the goalline before being turned away to safety by a defender.
City keeper Kev Sawyer, defending the goal in front of his own fans pulled off two smart close range blocks, one with his face as the Hatters, fielding a mixture of first team and reserves failed to really get a hold on a game they should've been comfortable in.
Our best chances came from set pieces and Matt Coupe had a decent opportunity from one but lifted his shot over the bar whilst Mike Symons might've done better when he turned his defender but shot well wide.
Clever play from Mann was causing problems for the Luton defenders and two of their players were booked for late challenges on the City man.
As the game closed in on the interval Darren Edwards had an excellent chance to score when he found room at the far post but was unable to direct his header goalwards as he nodded the ball wide. At the other end Boris had Michael Green to thank when his last ditch challenge on former Ilkeston man Amari Morgan-Smith was enough to put the striker off when all he had to do was connect was a ball into the centre.
The Tigers had their best spell of the game at the start of the second half when Webb, a former schoolboy at Luton saw his shot from the edge of the area well blocked by Pilkington after a lay off from Symons.
Darren Mullings will wonder how he didn't beat the Luton stopper when he tried to scoop home the ball in the six yard box and when Mann had been kicked off the park he was replaced by Mike Tambling who almost beat the keeper with a clever near post flick from Symons' low cross.
But theres always danger when better teams get set pieces of their own and so it proved when, according to the linesman Luton's new signing Luke Graham beat the offside trap, chested the ball down and fired past Sawyer.
Heartbreak in the last ten minutes in a game where we'd more than matched a team full of Conference players on their own pitch. In a game where all we asked of the City players was to give it their all, they did just that and can be proud of themselves. Now to do the same in the league!
City : Sawyer, Green, Parrinello, Coupe, Hamblin, Mann (Tambling 71), Mullings, Webb (Preece 89), Edwards, Symons, Morford (Fawke 88) Subs n/u : Mustoe, Rose
Tuesday's scheduled home game against Stalybridge Celtic was postponed after a pitch inspection showed the top end of the pitch to be frozen solid.
The City players applaud the travelling T-Enders at Kenilworth Road
Saturday January 29th 2011
Darren Edwards equaliser
Despite enjoying the better of the play City fell to defeat at Vauxhall Motors today. Lee Randall described it as being mugged.
Darren Edwards' second half equaliser from Hector Mackie's cross was immediately spoiled when Obi Anorou put the Motormen ahead again. This all came after Leighton McGivern had given the home side a first half lead.
Worryingly the Tigers have played less than half of their league games with just three months of the season to go, and they're still in two Cup competitions!
"Happy with a point". Boris' reaction after this 1-1 home draw against Worcester City was a view pretty much shared by the majority of the Tigers' faithful as ten man City fought back from a goal down thanks to a Darren Mullings penalty.
After a first half dominated by the Tigers finished with a straight red card for City winger Hector Mackie many might've wondered how the game was still goalless, although for all of their chances and possession David Mehew's men only hit the target once, and that came when Mike Symons' smart turn and half volley ricocheted back off of an upright.
Just as the game entered first half injury time though the incident that changed the pattern of the second half happened when Mackie lost the ball and ran from his position on the right wing to left back to retrieve it and whilst he slid in and caught his opponent, the theatrical dive that following convinced the referee to flash a red card instead of the yellow that it deserved.
Worcester took advantage of the extra man at the start of the second half as a trying pass from Matt Rose to Tom Webb left the City midfielder outnumbered and Gary Walker took the ball, ran towards goal and lifted a shot over the stranded Kev Sawyer to give the team from Yam Yam Land an undeserved lead.
But within minutes the Tigers were level when Neil Mustoe, freshly on as substitute for Rose did a one-two with Mullings and on his overlap into the box was crudely taken out by Tom Thorley. Mullings converted from the penalty spot to claim his ninth goal of the season.
Yet as in previous encounters when City's opponents have been reduced to ten men Worcester didn't seem able to make the advantage count and Symons himself had a great chance to steal the points but shot straight at the keeper.
In the dying minutes Symo was the catalyst in a brawl which saw a number of players involved and Worcester's ex-Scuzzer Graham Ward aim several kicks at Mullings, which although spotted by the linesman only earned a yellow card.
Worcester returned back up the M5 with a point and dropped the referee off on the way home.
Will Morford and Worcester Captain Ryan Clarke show elegant poise to challenge for the ball
Saturday January 22nd 2011
Darren Mullings 4th minute opener
Hector Mackie a joy to watch
Darren Edwards a goal at last!
City are back to winning ways thanks to this 2-0 win over Workington at Whaddon. The three points may only have moved us up one place but with both Redditch and Stafford losing again maybe no-one need fear the relegation reaper this season as they both look as though they're determined to block up the plug hole.
Manager David Mehew was afforded the luxury of bringing back Trophy-tied winger Hector Mackie and it is a luxury as he is starting to look like just the kind of flair player that City's fans haven't enjoyed since Marcus Phillips donned the yellow and black back in 1996.
There was a minute silence before the game as City centre-half Matt Coupe lost his mother in the week but put it behind him for ninety minutes as he put in a commanding performance at the heart of the Tigers' defence.
Having lost all three previous encounters against the Reds from their northern outpost it was encouraging to see City take an early lead. Mike Symons crumbled under a defensive challenge and Tom Parrinello's free kick was powerfully headed home by Darren Mullings although there were two of his team mates with him and unmarked ready to nod the ball home.
Workington started to dominate play as the game moved towards the interval but struggle to test Kev Sawyer in the City goal, which was a surprise as they had hotshot Nick Rogan on loan from Fleetwood in their front line.
As both teams left the field at half time in the blink of an eye there was a flashpoint that had seen Wukkie manager Darren Edmonson run into the crowd of players and try to pick a fight with Mullings. The result was that Edmonson had to watch the second half from the stand.
The Cumbrians continued to dominate possession for the best part of the second half but were still unable to find a way past the solid pairing of makeshift centre-half Rose and the determined Coupe. Lewis Pountney came on to give Symons a rest and City did their best to run the clock down.
It seemed as though Darren Edwards' woes in front of goal would be eternal, after all he had enough chances today.
In the first half Mackie put a cross on his head that was stopped on the line by hitting a defender, and in the second half he nodded over from six yards before diving and diverting one wide with his head when it seemed easier to score, but he didn't give up and got his just reward when he beat Workington keeper Aaran Taylor to Parrinello's free kick to head into an empty net. Well done Darren!
Before the goal we had been treated to another strange refereeing decision. Darren Mullings had been booked for a sliding challenge that made no contact with his opponent yet Workington's Kyle May got away with a talking to after he'd floored Tom Webb with a high foot to the kidneys. He'd been cautioned in the first half though. Do your job referee.
City's home game against Hinckley United, postponed because of the FA Trophy tie at Luton, will now be played on Tuesday March 22nd (k/o 7.45pm).
There will be coaches going to the Trophy match at Luton, the cost is £17 adults and £15 concessions. Register your interest by phoning Joe Green on 07860 802839 or by posting on the COF.
Darren Mullings heads the queue of City players to score against Workington
Wednesday January 19th 2011
Handball video Hot stuff on Youtube!
Earlier this season we were impressed when the video clip of Ollie Barnes' free kick against Harrogate Town became a hit on video sharing site Youtube, particularly in Hungary. Overall it amassed almost 6000 views.
However, that success has now been dwarfed by the popularity of Darren Edwards being denied his maiden City goal by the Hand of Rory Coleman and the ineptitude of referee Matthew McLaughlin. Coleman, making his debut on loan from Scunthorpe United said "I don't know what I was thinking!!"
The video currently has had 234,340 views and websites that have picked up the story include Nuts, Talk Sport and Mirror Online.
Monday January 17th 2011
Luton Town Trophy opponents
Depending on your point of view City have either got the best or the worst possible draw in the 3rd round of the FA Trophy; away at Luton Town.
The Hatters though seem intent on aiming for promotion from the Blue Square Premier and FA Trophy glory seems to be far from their thoughts as they've fielded weakened teams in every round until now, although they've still progressed with ease.
Bad news for many will be that owing to an EDL rally in Luton on Saturday February 5th the game has been brought forward to the Friday evening with a 7.45pm kick off.
Watch this space for news of supporters coaches to Kenilworth Road.
Saturday January 15th 2011
Darren Mullings Trophy specialist
Matt Coupe Outstanding
Believe.
Something I'm not often one to do but congratulations to the team and management on a truly fantastic performance in Lincolnshire this after that saw a somewhat fortuitous goal from Darren Mullings knock Boston United out of the FA Trophy to send the Tigers into the last sixteen.
Mullings' goal came midway through the second half, just as the commentary from Tigers Radio went offline (you guys should work for ITV HD!) when he shot between two Boston defenders and somehow through the keepers legs. If it was a lucky goal it was just reward for David Mehew's men who had been denied a blatant penalty and Boston spared a red card when a defender handled on the line as early as the third minute.
The home side failed to really test the Tigers until the final throes of the match when they hit the crossbar during a spell which Matt Phillips described as "I haven't not enjoyed a game like that since the playoff final!"
The third round draw is on Monday and with surprisingly few Blue Square Premier sides left and City having knocked out two good sides in Chelmsford and Boston can only dream, can't we?
City have re-arranged four away games, all kick off at 7.45pm.
Gainsborough Trinity, Tuesday February 22nd
Alfreton Town, Tuesday March 1st
Corby Town, Wednesday March 9th
Nuneaton Town, Tuesday March 15th
Handball on the line, but not in the referee's eyes!
Saturday January 8th 2011
Tom Hamblin stopped early goal
Hector Mackie rattled the bar
Matt Coupe almost shirtless
Tom Webb wish he could shoot
Just a couple of months ago before the big freeze it was looking as though City had the squad to cement a mid-table position in the Blue Square North but now we're all looking over our shoulders hoping that Redditch and Stafford are bad enough to keep a grip on the two remaining relegation places.
Whats going on?
Todays defeat, albeit against a fancied team in Boston was our fifth straight league loss. Personally what was worse was that Solihull looked a better team than the Pilgrims but the fact remains that all of those that have come away from Whaddon with three points have deserved them.
From the outset today the Lincolnshire side looked like they'd score; in the first minute Spencer Weir-Daley got in on goal but while his effort had the legs to beat Kev Sawyer, Tom Hamblin was able to get back and scoop it off the line.
Kev seemed to have trouble with the low winter sun in his eyes and one would wonder why he didn't don that useful goalkeeping accoutrement, a cap. The sun was in his eyes when he dropped a high ball and the ball ping-ponged around the six yard box was prodded home by the double-barrel monikered striker.
City had their chances, a wonderful move played in Tom Webb but his left footed effort flew over the bar into the Boston fans. Oh for the injured Darren Mullings to have had that chance, or the new hope Hector Mackie who himself made a great chance by cutting in from the wing and rattling the underside of the crossbar with a thunderous strike.
And then there was the penalty that never was when Mikel Suarez had most of Matt Coupe's shirt from a corner. If he was after goodies with "Olbas" on then they were sponsoring the game and he could've gone home with a boxful of throat lozenges if he wanted them.
This incensed Boris, who told the linesman, who then told the referee who decided to be an absolute cock by blowing up for half time as City were on the attack. Officials tend to make rods for their own backs without adding to it by stopping the game when a team is on the attack. Petty little man.
City had the greater share of the chances in the second half but Boston were always a threat. Will Morford was lively and showed a selfish edge to his game by shooting when he might've previously passed and substitute Darren Edwards looked better than he had.
Edwards had the ball in the net with a looping header but was ruled to have pushed a defender in the process. Maybe if he'd have grabbed a clump of his shirt instead the goal would've stood? The ex-Bath striker also had a great chance from an angle but Dan Haystead in the Boston goal spread himself well to block. In the aftermath it was good to hear his mate Coupe shouting words of encouragement to the out of luck striker.
Boston's best chances came when Anthony Church almost broke the crossbar in half with a direct free kick and a penalty shout which we've seen given when Kev rushed off his line, got the ball, then lost the ball, then got the man, then got the ball again.
But the best entertainment of the afternoon was from Boston joint manager Rob Scott who couldn't resist playing the pantomime villain to the City fans who were forced up into the decrepit old stand. The Cheltenham stewards could've had a field day throwing our fans out then!
Lewis Pountney jumps for a header with an extremely large flag in the background!
Monday January 3rd 2011
Will Morford bagged a brace
Hector Mackie Lee who?
The Tigers completed a disatrous Bank Holiday weekend going down 2-4 to Solihull Moors at Whaddon.
Last season we did the double over the Solihull Borough / Moor Green Frankenstein club, so to be beaten twice this time around doesn't bode well on our overall progress report.
Will Morford came in for Darren Edwards, who, despite rumours to the contrary had not walked out on the club. And Morford was celebrating after sixteen minutes when he beat the offside trap to collect a pass from the ever industrious Mike Symons to shoot under the body of Moors keeper Jas Singh to give the Tigers the lead. But City got hit with the classic sucker punch and less than half a minute after the restart Simon Johnson poked the ball beyond Kev Sawyer to equalise.
As with the game at Damson Park Solihull were awarded a penalty, this time when Matt Coupe tripped Ryan Beswick, who dusted himself off (well, dusted the snow off) and stepped up to shoot low to Kev Sawyer's left, just as he had done first time.
With half time approaching the Birmingham side pretty much killed the game when highly rated striker Adam Cunnington collected a pass and ran through four City players and shot hard and low inside Sawyers near post. Questions were asked about the defending, maybe our players were worried about giving away another penalty!
The referee from Worcester was faced with another big decision at the outset of the second half when Symo beat the offside trap and was tripped by keeper Singh. The man in black instantly pulled out a yellow card. Just a bloody yellow!Hector Mackie's free kick found Tom Hamblin at the far post and the City defenders header was brilliantly saved by a goalkeeper who should've been half naked getting ready for an early shower.
And talking of showers, City's defence parted when Solihull's first corner of the half was swung over and centre-half Charlie O'Loughlin had time to control the ball before stabbing it into the empty net to give the Moors a three goal cushion.
Morford did reduce that to two when he finished a move involving Mackie, substitute Lewis Pountney and Darren Mullings. He should've had a hat-trick but when Will scores a goal you savour every one and don't get greedy!
Whilst the result was hardly palatable there were several positives to take from the game, the main one being the sight of Hector Mackie in a City shirt. He looked very good and might well mean that the Tigers won't miss the Corby Town bound Lee Smith.
Six weeks without a league game and after that one there will be many wishing it was seven!
City went to Worcester's St Georges Lane, a ground that we rarely win at moreso against todays hosts but more recently against Evesham and as per the form book came away empty handed thanks to two first half goals. Other than the goals it was an even affair, new boy Hector Mackie, on as sub for the injured Jake Harris had two shots blocked within a minute of coming on but Worcester had more success with their efforts.
Darren Edwards, who seems out of sorts up front lost the ball and Neil Mustoe was turned smartly by ex-FGR man Marc McGregor who beat Kev Sawyer with ease to score a very clever goal. But the game was killed on the stroke of half time when a cross was floated over to Mark Danks, the smallest man on the pitch who looped a header to the far post which was cleared only as far as Danny Glover who finished with ease. No sooner had City kicked off that the ref blew up.
The second half introduction of Adam Mann, for substitute Mackie was like a breath of fresh air as he attacked down the left wing and even almost scored with a shot that just cleared the angle of post and crossbar.
Edwards, who hadn't impressed many in the legion of travelling City fans seemed to injure himself when he miskicked the ball. His departure gave a chance for new boy Lewis Pountney to impress and, well, he certainly impressed me. He himself came very close to netting a debut goal when he put his head in where it hurts to connect with a free kick and send a header inches wide of the post.
Worcester had the ball in the net again but play had already been pulled back for a foul on Sawyer and it was the City keeper who kept his team in the game with several smart saves whilst left back Tom Parrinello also blocked on the line from point blank range.
But as the gloom descended over Worcester the final whistle sounded and it was far from a Happy New Year for the Tigers.
The Tigers have a chance to make up for this performance with a home game against Solihull Moors on Monday at Whaddon, kick off 3pm. David Mehew's men will be keen to reverse their 1-2 defeat from Damson Park in August.
Lee Smith has signed for Corby Town on a month's loan with a view to a permanent move.
Worcester Captain Ryan Clarke executes a perfect sliding tackle on City's Mike Symons
Tiger Roar news streams from Oct, Nov & December 2010 can be found here
Page last updated : 23rd July 2011
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