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Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2012 Q1
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| Saturday March 31st 2012 |
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Michael Green
handball
Dave Bird
stunning volley
Matt Liddiard
impressive cameo
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After their second defeat in four days City will be looking over their shoulders with just five points separating David Mehew's team from Vauxhall Motors who occupy the third and final relegation spot and with the long midweek trip to Guiseley on Tuesday only the most optimistic of fan won't be at least a bit concerned about our continued membership of the Blue Square Bet North.
With a team not as injury hit as expected City did well to contain the visitors from Lincolnshire as Boston started well and a shot on the turn by Spencer Weir-Daley brought the best from Lewis Carey.
As City settled City came close when Darren Mullings got his head to a cross and Boston reserve keeper Rick Drury was beaten as the ball looped up and landed on the bar instead of into the net.
It was good that Mullings was supporting the attack because youngster Scott Wilson was struggling to make an impact against Kevin Austin who looked as though he weighed twice as much as the City man.
As the Tigers continued to press Will Morford turned and shot from the edge of the six yard box and brought a good block from Drury but Matt Lock spurned a gilt edged chance when Dave Bird's speculative drive pinged around the box before falling to the City midfielder who drew a great diving save from point blank range.
As the game approached the interval a Boston player shouted "Don't concede now" as they defended a corner. They didn't concede but little did he know that his team would go into the break two-nil up just five minutes later.
As another corner was cleared as far as Dave Bird, the former Cheltenham man was caught in possession and with both Tom Hamblin and Matt Coupe too far forward, Marc Newsham, who was in his own half ran onto a long ball ahead of both City defenders before coolly shooting inside Lewis Carey's left hand post from the edge of the penalty area.
Pretty much from the kick off Boston went on the attack again and Michael Green was penalised for handball when Ben Fairclough aimed a cross directly at him. A harsh decision maybe and one that has certainly evaded several City appeals in our matches this season but that mattered little as Newsham stepped up to beat Carey again for the second time in two minutes.
Interestingly the Boston fans chanted "Are you watching Tiger Roar?" before the spot kick was taken!
City were almost gifted a goal at the start of the second half when Boston defender Nathan Stainfield jumped with his own teammate at a corner and narrowly headed wide of the post.
Sam Rawlings, on for the ineffective Scott Wilson at half time was booked for a fifty / fifty challenge, which was an appalling decision by the referee. Later in the half he was late into a tackle, for what was a foul and could easily have been sent off.
More frustrations followed with two penalty appeals for handball at close range were turned down, in line with how these decisions have gone against us and not for us this campaign!
But City forced their way back into the game when midfielder Dave Bird fired home a superb volley from fully twenty-five yards but within two minutes the Pilgrims had restored their two goal advantage when Ben Milnes swept a shot high into Carey's top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Still not fully match fit Bird made way for youngster Matt Liddiard who showed maturity beyond his years with an impressive cameo as he looked like a midfielder who was comfortable on the ball and could pick a pass. Once safety is assured he needs to step up and play first team football for the last few games.
City didn't give up the fight but were unable to beat Drury although an audacious effort from Morford clipped the top of the post and crossbar before bouncing away for a goal kick.
City : Carey, Green (Lloyd 69), Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Rose, Lock, Mullings, Wilson (Rawlings 46), Morford, Bird (Liddiard 69).
Subs not used: Mustoe, Mace
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Injured goalkeeper Mike Green held a collection for , a cancer awareness campaign. |
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| City midfielder Dave Bird volleys home his sides only goal of the game |
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| Tuesday March 27th 2012 |
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Scott Wilson
full City debut
Adam Mann
elbowed twice
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This game, like the one at Harrogate at the start of the season was a show of the "haves" and the "have nots" judging by the teamsheets and the lack of / abundance of players warming up for either team before the game.
City are currently beset by injury and suspension, admittedly, one of those is self inflicted but having both put pressure on the squad at the same time must be causing Boris major headaches.
Scott Wilson, who enjoyed a full ninety minutes for the first time will probably have had other aches on Wednesday morning having run around enthusiatically all night with little to show for his efforts.
The match wasn't much of a spectacle as City's direct style was easily dealt with by Gainsborough giants in defence as both Wilson and Theo Lewis failed to fill the role that Darren Edwards does so well.
City's main threat came from winger Adam Mann, but two swift blows to the head put paid to his game before the break as he was replaced by Matt Rose. Interestingly disciplinary action wasn't deemed necessary by the referee.
The closest that David Mehew's men came to breaking the deadlock was a clever flicked header by Rose which looped onto the top of the crossbar from Matt Lock's free kick.
After the break midfielder Darren Mullings moved up front and City began to cause the visitors more concern, although it was the Lincolnshire side who took the lead when a hanging right wing cross from Jamie Yates was met by a far post looping header by Darren Stamp giving Lewis Carey no chance as it sailed back over his head.
On loan striker Lewis limped off midway through the half to jon Mann and Lock who had failed to re-appear after the break as City struggled to break Trinity down. The second goal, a lob from Ryan Kendall with Carey in no mans land signalled the end of the contest and Boris' battered and bruised team just about made it to the final whistle.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Bird, Lock (Lloyd 46), Mullings, Lewis (Mustoe 70), Wilson, Mann (Rose 32).
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| Matt Lock closes down a clearance from Gainsborough's Dominic Roma |
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| Saturday March 24th 2012 |
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Dave Bird
new signing
Will Morford
won penalty
Matt Lock
scored from the spot
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"Daylight Robbery" seemed an appropriate way to describe this win against the increasingly doomed looking Blyth Spartans.
Saying that, if they had someone to put the ball in the net they'd be nowhere near the foot of the table but then if my aunt had a d!£k she'd be my uncle.
The game was settled by the softest penalty decision you'll ever be likely to see. A mis-hit cross from Theo Lewis rolled to the edge of the six yard box where Will Morford cleverly put himself between the man and the ball and was sent tumbling by Blyth captain Wayne Buchanan.
With Darren Edwards serving the second of a four match ban, reserve penalty taker Matt Lock stepped up and as the keeper went the wrong placed the ball into the net.
It was a real gift because up until that point City had had few chances, with just Lewis pulling a shot wide of the far post on the turn just before half time.
Blyth had looked the better team and were troubling Lewis Carey's goal from set pieces and went close on several occasions whilst City struggled to settle on a bumpy pitch as Croft Park was enveloped in mist from the nearby North Sea.
New signing Dave Bird looked out of place on the right of a solid midfield as Boris stuck with Matt Rose in the middle but the City hatchet man was lucky to stay on the pitch after he looked to have traded punches with Spartans counterpart Andy Ferrell.
Both players joined Matt Coupe in the referee's notebook as the City skipper had been cautioned for a well executed rugby tackle on Blyth favourite Robbie Dale just minutes after the kick off.
So both before and after the goal it was pretty much all Blyth as the home side bombed the City penalty area with crosses, albeit with no killer touch, whilst Morford had a great chance to seal the points after a lovely one-two with Scott Wilson but Blyth keeper David Knight saved well with his legs.
The City players celebrated with a night out in Newcastle. Enjoy it lads, it'll be the last as you've just effectively relegated Blyth.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Rose, Hamblin, Lock, Mullings, Lewis, Morford, Bird (Mann 55).
Subs not used: Mustoe, Lloyd
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| New boy Dave Bird watches on as Will Morford is fouled for City's penalty |
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| Saturday March 17th 2012 |
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Steve Davies
terrible injury
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A well earned point at The Shay against FC Halifax Town today was marred by a dreadful injury to striker Steve Davies.
The pacy winger fell awkwardly after a challenge and is believed to have broken his arm above the elbow. This led to a long delay to the game for the second week running as the game was held up for treatment before the City man was taken to hospital.
Before that incident City had done well to keep their hosts at bay and could thank their luck as Halifax hit the post twice and the judgement of the outstanding Lewis Carey for keeping their clean sheet intact. Will Morford had City's best chance as the game ended goalless.
One City official was heard to remark after the game "We really do look a proper team at this level". Makes a change from "Gloucester were shite"!
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Rose, Hamblin, Lock, Mullings, Lewis (Rawlings), Morford, Davies (Mann).
Sub not used: Lloyd
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| Monday March 12th 2012 |
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Matt Lock
30 yard stunner
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City bowed out of the County Cup at the Quarter-Final stage at Tuffley Rovers FC tonight after going down 1-2 in extra time to a youthful Cheltenham Town side.
David Mehew fielded a reasonably strong side whilst his counterpart Mark Yates only included two professionals and it showed as the Tigers dominated the game and the chances but wasteful finishing, with the main culprity being Darren Edwards saw the game need a further thirty minutes to reach a conclusion.
Matt Lock gave City the lead with a superb thirty yard lob before a goal in each half of extra time settled it for City's rivals from the dark side of the Golden Valley bypass.
City : Humphries, Green, Rawlings, Mace, Rose (Coupe 46), Webb (Morford 46), Lock, Mustoe, Edwards, Morford, Davies, Lloyd (Mullings 70).
Subs not used: Parker, James
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| The Scuzzer's goalkeeper stops a Darren Edwards point blank header |
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| Saturday March 10th 2012 |
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Theo Lewis
debut goal
Jack Harris
injury concern
Darren Edwards
winning goal
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An eighty-ninth minute winner from Darren Edwards would have onlookers thinking that City snatched this one at the death, but appearances can be deceptive because thanks to a awkward fall by Jack Harris there were about twenty minutes of injury time to play!
Those twenty minutes and the previous seventy were hard fought by a City team looking to avoid four defeats on the bounce and when the final whistle was blown their workrate through the afternoon against a very good Guiseley team meant that they'd earned those three points.
Despite having brought in youngster Theo Lewis on a months loan City started with a familiar side and after holding the Yorkshire side without really looking like scoring Steve Davies made way for the new boy at half time. Davies can count himself unlucky and next time he's subbed off I can see him lifting his shirt to reveal a Mario Balotelli style "Why always me?" slogan on his t-shirt!
Neither side looked like scoring before the break, although there was a blatant penalty on Will Morford when he was pushed over in front of the linesman but the officials reverted to form and nothing was given.
But with Lewis introduced he showed a few nice touches, however his attempted one-two using his chest fell to a Guiseley player and the ball was up the right wing, Chris Senior turned Matt Coupe and played a low ball in for James Walshaw who scored with the kind of finish that makes a striker look a proper cock when they miss and City were behind again.
Heads didn't drop though and Lewis made up for his mistake by bravely beating Guiseley keeper Steve Drench to Matt Lock's tantalising inswinger of a free kick to head the equaliser. Sadly Jack Harris had been a bit braver than Lewis, hit the keeper in mid-air, twisted and landed awkardly knocking himself senseless. The game resumed when a groggy looking Vern was led from the pitch twenty-three minutes later.
See it from a different angle
Almost instantly Lewis had a great chance to double his and City's tally but shot straight into Drench's hands and as the Lions from Yorkshire began to dominate the Tigers held firm as Coupe and Rose repelled long balls and sub Rawlins and man of the match Michael Green tried to block crosses from the flanks.
Then City took the lead in a move which was started by Green with a lofted pass to Darren Mullings wide on the right. Mullings shifted the ball between his feet and made room for an outswinging cross which was met firmly by Lewis' head only for it to smack off the crossbar and fall kindly to Edwards who took just enough time to compose himself and shoot beyond Drench into the back of the net.
That was the last official minute before a difficult spell of injury time!
City : Carey, Green, Harris (Rawlings 68), Coupe, Rose, Webb, Lock, Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Davies (Lewis 45).
Subs not used: Lloyd, Mustoe
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The Supporters Trust are looking to run a coach to Halifax next Saturday (27/03), please register your interest on the ASAP to ensure that it will run. |
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| Theo Lewis rises highest to equalise on his debut against Guiseley |
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| Tuesday March 6th 2012 |
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Darren Edwards
converted penalty
Matt Lock
outstanding
Tom Webb
straight red card
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City appear to be falling back into the "win some, lose some" habit with this 1-3 defeat at Whaddon against Droylsden, their third on the bounce.
It wasn't all doom and gloom though as the Tigers fought well against a Bloods team in something of a false position and were more than a match for their visitors until the controversial red card shown to Tom Webb early in the second half.
Webb had been enjoying a midfield battle with former Stalybridge man Warren Peyton and minutes after the latter had been shown a yellow card for a dangerous lunge the City man got his marching orders for leaping into a fifty/fifty for a high ball and depending on who you listen to either connected with his foot, elbow or not at all!
City manager David Mehew was of the latter opinion and got sent off as well for telling so to the referee.
Droylsden had taken a first half lead when a cross shot from Lewis Killeen was turned in from close range by Ciaran Kilheeny.
City lost Adam Mann with a foot injury, but the silver lining of that enforced change was the performance given by his replacement Matt Lock, easily his best at Whaddon since he joined the club.
Miracle upon miracles, the Tigers were finally awarded their first penalty of the season when Will Morford appeared to be fouled by giant Droylsden keeper Danzelle St-Louis Hamilton, although it looked as though the extravagently monikered stopper got two hands to the ball before wiping out the City forward. City deserved it though as minutes earlier a defender had blocked a cross with a raised hand and been denied yet again.
Darren Edwards coolly slotted home to equalise.
The Manchester team could've easily lost lanky defender Chris Brown in the first half when he appeared to elbow and then shove Matt Coupe but the way our luck is going Webb saw red for what was probably his first foul, then the Bloods used their experience to stretch the game before scoring a second, near identical goal, this time Killeen was in the right place at the right time to score.
In form Morford had a couple of chances to equalise and the impressive Edwards headed wide but Droylsden sealed all three points when Dale Johnson got a touch to a shot to deceive Lewis Carey and give the scoreline a flattering look.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Rose (Rawlings 64), Webb, Davies (Hamblin 59), Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann (Lock 24).
Subs not used: Wilson, Mustoe
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The much delayed County Cup game between City and the team who share our current ground will finally take place, albeit not at our current home but at Tuffley Rovers FC on Monday March 12th (k/o 7.45pm). It will be City's first competitive game in Gloucester for almost five years! |
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| Danzelle St-Louis Hamilton appears to get the ball ahead of Will Morford as a penalty is given |
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| Saturday March 3rd 2012 |
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Darren Edwards
sent off again
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It was a trip to forget for City today as they went down 0-3 at Borough Park against strugglers Workington.
Having lost on both of their two previous visits to Cumbria, both times preparing the right way with an overnight stay, this time in Wigan it's disappointing that City managed to lose yet again.
Matters weren't helped by Darren Edwards' daft reaction to being rugby tackled by Lee Andrews as he kicked out the Workington defender and was shown a straight red card. City were already one down at the time, Darren Mullings being penalised for handball and Gareth Arnison scoring from the spot.
Minutes later it was two when Mark Boyd found the top corner from distance but it wasn't City's day and despite having the wind at their backs in the second half it was the home team who scored again when Jonny Wright killed the game off in the final few minutes.
City : Carey, Green (Rawlins 74), Harris, Coupe, Rose, Webb, Lock, Mullings, Edwards, Morford (Wilson 68), Davies (Mann 77).
Sub not used: Mustoe
The game at Whaddon against Gainsborough Trinity which fell victim to the weather a few weeks back has now been rescheduled for Tuesday March 27th (k/o 7.45pm) |
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| Saturday February 25th 2012 |
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Darren Mullings
early chance
Adam Mann
volley saved
Will Morford
brought down
Scott Wilson
sent off
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It's never nice to travel across the breadth of the country to watch your team compete, suffer bad luck but ultimately be not given a fair chance by a third party.
In an evenly matched mid-tabled encounter City enjoyed the best of the opening half hour and Darren Mullings will rue shooting straight at forty-two year old goalkeeper Paul Bastock whilst they were also guilty of wasting a number of corners and set-pieces. On the odd occasion the home team looked dangerous, especially when Danny Sleath arrowed a fine shot against the upright with an angled drive from the left of the penalty area.
It was arguably against the run of play when the home team scored; a corner had been cleared out to the edge of the area where left winger Ben Fairclough lined up a shot which seemed to confuse Jack Harrris and Mike Green as to who was going to clear the ball, both failed to do so and Lewis Carey could only watch as the ball crept in.
Boston grew from that and even though City should have drawn level before half time when Adam Mann had to to place a shot but could only volley straight at Bastock unopposed from twelve yards out.
Up until the break the referee had kept his cards in his pocket, and it seemed as though they'd stay there especially after Spencer Weir-Daley felled Green with a horribly high and dangerous late challenge in front of the home dugout but as the second half began the cards came out like confetti (tm David Mehew 25/02/12).
Darren Mullings was the first, although it's unclear what he did to deserve it as cards seemed to be handed out in a tit for tat fashion.
City were looking a shadow of themselves from the first half and the home team began to push for a second only to be denied by a grounded Carey before lanky defender Tom Ward headed home a corner with the side of his face to leave the Tigers with an uphill battle.
The unusually quiet Morford then showed great feet to turn Ward on the edge of the area before being clumsily tripeed from behind by the long legged defender. Morford went to ground and.... nothing! If ever there was a more blatant penalty I'd like to see it yhet I'm now convinced that it must be a standing joke among the officials of the Blue Square North that we aren't to be awarded them.
The sickening feeling of being over one-hundred a fifty miles from home and losing is bad enough but to be compounded by inept and best and corrupt at worse officials that mean that there's only ever going to be one winner brings the bile to ones throat.
By now Boris had used all three substitutes and young Scott Wilson, a player we haven't seen enough of was looking quite lively.
A searching through ball went beyond the last man to test Wilson's pace and as he stretched for the ball ahead of keeper Bastock claiming it defender Nathan Stainfield tried to obstruct that City man by putting his body in between the City man and the goalkeeper with no intention of playing the ball. Wilson had already gone for the ball and was unable to stop the collision which Stainfield created. The defender hurt himself in the process, Bastock claimed the ball and then angrily chased down Wilson, the home fans on the terrace behind the goal shouted for a red card and referee who was easily swayed obliged.
Awful, awful decision by a shit referee.
City manager Mehew was surprisingly composed after the final whistle but perhaps thats a sign that he's realistic that this defeat hasn't harmed our chances of making a late run into the playoffs. Because we won't!
City : Carey, Green (Rawlings 79), Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Lock, Mullings (Davies 53), Edwards, Morford (Wilson 71), Mann.
Subs not used: Rose, Mustoe
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| Goalkeeper Paul Bastock disgracefully gurns at a player half of his age and helps to get him sent off |
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| Saturday February 18th 2012 |
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Will Morford
opening goal
Adam Mann
free kick success
Darren Edwards
assist king!
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Four "home" wins on the bounce now, you have to go back as far as January 2009 to match that record.
On the balance of play the result should never have really been in doubt, even if City were slow to come out of their winter break and were shocked by a fifth minute goal from Motors' winger Craig Mahon when he took advantage of a poor clearance from a corner to bury a low shot through a crowded penalty area beyond Lewis Carey.
It was a disappointing start for those City fans who'd not seen their team for three weeks and with a few new faces in the crowd, including Roary the Tiger's mate Misty it was encouraging that David Mehew's men were able to limit the Motormen to just one goal, mainly thanks to a goalline clearance from Matt Lock and Carey's reflexes that blocked a shot following a suicidal headed backpass from Matt Coupe.
But over the course of the game City were the better team and so it told midway through the first hald when an exsquisite pass from Darren Edwards landed at the feet of strike partner Will Morford who fired a shot through keeper Scott Tynan's legs from close range.
Morford had already contrived to miss from inside the six yard box so this goal put him one up on Edwardinho, fifteen to his fourteen whilst also bringing him level with housemate Mike Symons who has bagged the same number for Worcester City so far this year.
City were well on top of the game at the break as the whistle inevitably came at the wrong time but the Tigers carried on where they left off in the second period.
The winning goal had an element of good fortune about it as a low free kick found Adam Mann who aimed a powerful shot goalwards. Keeper Tynan got both hands to the ball but it seemed to spin away from him on contact before hitting a defender on the ankle and rolling back over the goalline. A video from behind the goal was shot by City fan Mark Scales, you can see it here.
With injury hit defender Coupe replaced by Matt Rose for the final third of the goal City's goal was never really under any real pressure and to be honest, neither was Vauxhall's as every attempt at goal seemed to clear the roof of the stand. One shot from Matt Lock even went out for a throw!
The final whistle signalled a well earned win but more importantly one which puts three further points between City and the final relegation place as Blyth and Eastwood look like they're already down.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe (Rose 63), Hamblin, Webb, Lock (Davies 84), Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann.
Subs not used: Rawlings, Wilson, Mustoe
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| Motors' keeper Scott Tynan's dive forces Darren Edwards to shoot over the bar in the last minute |
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| Saturday January 28th 2012 |
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Will Morford
stunning volley
Adam Mann
finally scores
Jack Harris
another 90 minutes
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It's fair to say that in football you can only beat whats in front of you and unfortunately for our friends from Eastwood, that wasn't much today as City completed a comfortable 2-0 win.
That said, until the first goal came ten minutes into the second half it was becoming a frustrating game for the Tigers with everything going right seeimngly bar the final ball, whilst at the other end any time that the Badgers got a sight at goal Lewis Carey's hands seemed like a magnet for the ball.
Left winger Adam Mann was a constant threat during the first period and the Eastwood defenders had to be on their mettle as he drove his way through them but the closest he came to scoring was a left footed eeffort that he shanked wide. Darren Edwards was also guilty of a bad miss too when he got behind the last man only to lift his shot over keeper Ian Deakin and beyond the far post.
The withdrawl of Tom Webb, who'd been booked, at half time saw a reshuffle with Matt Lock moving into the middle and Steve Davies coming on on the right hand side. The substitution gave City the lift they needed.
The impressive Lock started things off with a shot which arrowed just wide of the post but he could only watch in awe as Will Morford struck a perfect volley from the edge of the area when a corner was cleared his way. Keeper Deakin was rooted to the spot and an Eastwood defender even tried and failed to save it!
Only an Eastwood corner separated City's two goals as Carey's long kick was flicked on by Edwards to Morford who found the impressive Davies who set Edwards on a goalward run that saw him crowded out on the edge of the area where Mann took over, rolled a defender and finished with a shot much untidier than some which have eluded his efforts to get off of the mark all season.
Those two goals were more than enough to see off the challenge of the Badgers who seemed to have very little to come back at City with and in all honesty the scoreline should've been more as chances from Davies and Edwards narrowly missed the target.
All in all, a comfortable three points and it was great to see Jack Harris complete another ninety minutes on what was his one-hundredth appearance for City.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb (Davies 45), Lock (Rose 89), Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann (Wilson 87).
Subs not used: Rawlings, Mustoe
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City's County Cup game against a Cheltenham Town "XI" was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Whaddon Road. If you care when it actually gets played keep an eye on this site or the COF.
Two other games with new dates are next Saturdays trip to Guiseley which will now happen on Tuesday April 3rd (7.45pm) and Droylsden will visit us on Tuesday February 21st. |
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| Adam Mann can't hide his delight after scoring against Eastwood today |
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| Saturday January 21st 2012 |
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Darren Edwards
could've won it
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City earned a tremendous point at Hyde today thanks to a backs to the wall display in a goalless draw.
Reports suggested that the home side were as good as their league position suggested but they were unable to break down a Tigers' defence which had no doubt improved after the shambles at Histon a week earlier. David Mehew's men could've even pinched all three points but Darren Edwards was denied with a late effort.
City : Carey, Green, Harris, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Lock (Rawlings 75), Mullings, Edwards, Morford (Davies 73), Mann.
Subs not used: Rose, Wilson
City play their County Cup game against what will probably be described as a Cheltenham Town supporters team by the biased local press if we win. It kicks off at 7.30pm at Whaddon Road. |
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| Saturday January 14th 2012 |
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Will Morford
hat-trick
Darren Edwards
provider
Matt Lock
midfield force
Steve Davies
late chance
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Value for money, especially for the neutral was this game. Although for a Gloucester City fan, player or manager it was heartbreaking, so much so that City boss David Mehew declined to be interviewed after the final whistle.
After just ninety seconds Histon took the lead although it seemed to be passed around like a hot potato; we equalised, then they went ahead again only for us to peg them back before going in front ourselves at the break. Midway through the second half they were level again before they pinched all three points with a late, late winner. If either team could defend it would've been nil-nil!
Oddly enough it seemed that neither keeper were really bothered other than having to pick the ball out of the net. Histon's Jorg Stadelmann didn't seem the best while City's Lewis Carey, now signed on loan for the rest of the season didn't have one of his better games.
The home side were ahead within two minutes when they turned defence into attack thanks to a cross field pass from Captain Omer Riza that found Daniel Sparkes wide on the left wing. Clever feet and a low cross saw the ball with centre-forward Dan Holman on the penalty spot with his back to goal yet no-one close enough to block his shot as he turned and squirmed the ball in off of Carey's far post.
City hit back though and Will Morford was alive to a headed clearance from Tom Hamblin which no-one seemed to want to touch as it bounced through a static Histon defence. The City striker gleefully took possession of the ball before drilling a shot inside Stadelmann's near post to level the scores.
But with just thirteen minutes on the clock we were treated to a third goal, a good move which saw the Stutes tear the City defence apart from the right wing and a cut back from the winger gave Holman the chance to wrongfoot Carey and roll home his and Histon's second goal.
The topsy-turvy nature of the game continued as again Morford equalised. Right back Mike Green cut out an attack in his penalty area and headed the ball to Matt Lock who took the time to pick a pass with the outside of his boot into the channel for Darren Edwards to run onto. City's number nine glided down the right wing before playing a perfect ball into the six yard box where Morford bundled home the ball from close range.
It got better for the man who is the love of the life of many City fans when Adam Mann intercepted a pass from defender Rema Clerima and strode past two defenders before looping a cross to the far post where Stadelmann flapped it into Morf's path. Bang. Hat-Trick. Three goals for the City man in under thirty minutes.
In the second half it looked as though City would need a fourth goal to put the game to bed and so it came to pass that after Matt Coupe had been caught in possession and Tom Webb committed a foul that Histon winger grabbed the equaliser with a well aimed free kick in off of the crossbar that gave Carey no chance.
City stepped up their game looking to get their noses in front again and Morford had a shot blocked on the line before the home side won the game with a sucker punch in the last minute. Green was caught on his heels as Taaffe nipped in behind him to drill the ball home off of the far post.
Youngster Scott Wilson was thrown on to try and get something but fellow substitute had the best chance when Lock's shot was charged down the Welshman angled a shot for the top corner which went narrowly over. A City fan threw the ball back into play and hit Stadelmann on the neck, the keeper went down in slow motion to kill time but probably didn't realise the game was being filmed and ended up looking a proper idiot!
His antics continued at the final whistle as he flicked the "v's" at the City fans and gave them the universal sign for "f&*k you" with his left forearm against his right fist, but his team had won an entertaining game.
City : Carey, Green, Rawlings, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb (Wilson 88), Lock, Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann (Davies 72).
Subs not used: Rose, Harris
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| Will Morford spurns a great chance to score his and City's fourth goal at Histon |
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| Friday January 6th 2012 |
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Tyler Weir
off to Worcester
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Young loanee Tyler Weir won't be joing the Tigers after his loan spell ends after tomorrow's game against Solihull Moors, his club Hereford United have agreed to loan him to Worcester City for the rest of the season instead.
Tyler originally came to City in March and made his debut in the 0-4 defeat at Champions elect Alfreton. He went on to make forty-seven appearance scoring three goals; against Stafford, Blyth & Halifax, all at Whaddon Road.
Good luck Tyler. |
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| Saturday January 7th 2012 |
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Matt Lock
headbutted
Tom Webb
acrobatic volley
Darren Edwards
wasn't offside
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All that really matters here today is the result.
In a game where Solihull took a while to impose themselves City battled hard to earn three very good points to cement their place in the middle of the Blue Square Bet North table.
David Mehew's men had the ball in the net three times; early doors when Darren Edwards got into a near post tangle with Craig Hinton and at the start of the second half when Edwards was after Jas Singh had turned Matt Lock's angled drive onto the post.
However Captain Fantastic Tom Webb won the game with his fifteenth minute acrobatic volley that flew inside the post giving Singh no chance.
Will Morford had created the chance with a run and cross from the right hand side where Adam Mann bravely flew in with a header that was partially cleared. Edwards seized on the lofted ball and nodded it down to the penalty spot where Webb made no mistake to notch his fourth goal of the season.
Before the goal however Solihull should've really been reduced to ten men when Matt Lock won the ball and was pulled back and by left back Michael Blackwood. Only a yellow card though in this league but a red in the Premier if your name is Joey Barton!
City seemed to be well on top yet were unable to put the game beyond their visitors who seem to be money rich lately looking at the number of experienced players among their ranks as well as the full substitutes bench and six players they had in the stand. I bet Boris goes to bed dreaming of those kind of resources!
Solihull started the second half minus former Bristol Rovers man Craig Hinton who appeared with a nasty looking black eye which he picked up during an off the ball tussle. No-one saw what had happened but Hinton certainly had daggers for Edwardinho!
The win would've been more comfortable when Edwards scored but for that dastardly flag. The strange thing was that there was very little argument from the City man.
And whilst City's number nine and Blackwood might've been lucky in the disciplinary stakes, the Moors' ex-Stafford man Andre Francis wasn't as he picked up two quick yellow cards for his early bath; one for a nasty sounding late challenge on Edwards and the other for trip on Tyler Weir.
To be fair the Brummies had been the better team and losing Francis had little effect. They'd been the better team all through the second half yet Lewis Carey hadn't had to make one save, however he looked beaten when a free kick from Ryan Beswicj whistled past his far post but City held on to claim a well earned three points.
Bring on Histon!
City : Carey, Rawlings, Weir, Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Lock (Rose 76), Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann (Davies 60).
Subs not used: Wilson, Mike Green
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| Tom Webb is in the pink as he scores against Solihull Moors |
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| Sunday January 1st 2012 |
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Darren Edwards
two goal haul
Matt Lock
outstanding
Tyler Weir
subbed
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City enjoyed the perfect start to the New Year at Whaddon this afternoon with a comfortable 3-1 win over Worcester City.
A first half brace from Darren Edwards and a third from Will Morford in the second half saw City take all three points despite a goal from ex-Tiger Mike Symons just before the interval.
Although things didn't quite go to plan from the very start as Jack Harris was carried off the pitch during the warm up after rolling his ankle. That mean't that Sam Rawlings started even though he played the whole game wearing the number seventeen shirt.
Worcester, with Symons looking sharp in attack played a direct game but were unable to pierce a Tigers defence including the returning Matt Coupe. City's number four became the first to have his name taken when, on the halfway line he let Symo "know that he was there"!
City themselves had more luck in front of goal though and took an early lead when Matt Lock's corner saw ex-Halesowen keeper James Dormand flap the ball into his own net before a defender hooked the ball away despite it being a foot over the line, however it's a good job that Darren Edwards was on his game because the linesman wasn't as the City man rifled home the loose ball.
Ten minutes later Edwards got his and City's second when Morford cut the ball back to a well positioned Adam Mann but the City winger hit an air shot and as luck would have it Edwardinho was maurading around the penalty spot where he seized upon the gift and shot low and hard giving the keeper no chance.
Worcester forced their way back into the game when Neil Cartwright played a short pass to Tom Thorley at a free kick and the latter crossed to the far post where Symo, inevitably, plundered in and headed the ball home.
The Birmingham team finshed the half strongly and dominated the opening throes of the second but City were comfortable in defence with just the one chance falling to Simon Brown who stole in beyond his marker and headed just over the bar when it looked easier to score.
But despite their pressure Lewis Carey's goal remained untroubled and the Tigers grabbed a third from a classic counter attack when a corner was cleared to Morford in his own half. The popular City striker controlled the ball, turned and ran directly at Ryan Clarke forcing him onto the back foot before taking a touch sideways and firing home a shot from twenty-five yards to make it three for City.
Even the introduction of Lee Smith and Danny Carey-Bertram couldn't help as David Mehew's men killed the game off in perfect fashion with some olé football, playing keep ball for twenty passes at a time.
There was even time for a touch of discord as an argument flared over defensive responsibilities and attacking desire between Coupe and Tyler Weir. Coupey won in the end though as Weir was substituted straight afterwards!
Even then the outstanding Matt Lock might've got a fourth with an audacious overhead kick that narrowly missed Dormand's far post as the Tigers started 2012 perfectly with a comfortable win at Whaddon.
City : Carey, Rawlings, Weir (Michael Green 83), Coupe, Hamblin, Webb, Lock, Mullings, Edwards, Morford, Mann.
Subs not used: Davies, Rose, Wilson
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| Even Matt Coupe enjoyed some olé football during todays game! |
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Tiger Roar news streams from Oct, Nov & Dec 2011 can be found
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| Page last updated : 14th July 2012 |
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