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City ride their luck

- 29/08/2009

City 2 Stansfeld O&B Club 1

Sometimes you have to ride your luck, knuckle down to hold it and enjoy the outcome. This was definitely one of those days. There are not going to be many teams as good as Stansfeld in the fixture list this season. So to beat them, albeit with two penalties, sent out the message that City are again on the trail of yet another promotion.

To be blunt, Stansfeld were right to go home feeling that at least a share of the points would have been their proper reward from a game in which for long periods they played the more controlled football. But they missed their chances and City's defence stood more firmly than in some recent league and friendly games. And from a spectators point of view it was all so much of a contrast from the previous week's match in which Fleet Leisure hoofed the ball upfield. Stansfield and City tried, and often succeeded in keeping the ball on the ground away from the tantrums of the blustery wind which we all know will be a regular visitor to Hersden.

Unlike the previous week, manager Dave Fairclough had the majority of his First team squad available, which meant some tough decisions. He chose not to put captain Luke Lockhart straight back in the starting line-up ("the defence had played so well against Fleet that I didn't feel I could make changes there"). Up front he opted for Wayne Fittall and Lee Austin who had linked so well in the opening game at Lewisham. So, top scorer for the past two seasons Rosyston Gough began on the bench, though a striker of his ability is hardly likely to make it a long-term armchair situation.

Stansfeld needed only a minute to warn City that they were in for a demanding afternoon. Danny Wrench had to turn a fierce shot round the post and City needed to defend against the first of a lot of corners. But eight minutes later they benefited from their first moment of good fortune when the referee awarded a penalty. Austin and a defender were both trying to control the ball which hit the Stansfeld players’ arm. Ian Hossick was not about to debate the rights and wrongs of the decision and cracked in the penalty.

City had to defend that lead against some excellent Stansfeld football. Sam Baker's fine tackle stopped a probable goal and it was not until the 30th minute that the Stansfeld goal was put under real pressure. Adam Woollcott, playing wide, which is more natural to him than in the centre where he appeared the previous week, sent a free kick to Hossick whose header skimmed past the post. Stansfeld responded with a flicked shot that came equally close. They also slammed the ball across the face of the City goal too frequently for comfort, but City reached half-time still a goal ahead.

Five minutes into the second half and Baker had a struggle to control the ball on the rock-hard surface and Harvey Gayle got the better of the situation to equalise. Now was the time for City to show some character, which they did. The youthful Woollcott took a full part and even headed off the line. Another Stansfeld low cross somehow slipped past all of their forwards. Wrench had to hold a powerful low shot and there was a distinct feeling that the game would end in a draw, which would not have been altogether disappointing for City in this higher league.

The game turned on a 60th minute decision that a Stansfeld defender was guilty of unfairly impeding one of the City players. Hossick took no notice of Stansfeld's reasonable protests and, from the spot, took City into a match-winning lead.

Chances still fell to both sides. Craig Southern thrashed a shot over the bar from close in and Stansfeld had similar frustrations. Fittall came off and Gough took over, without having many chances to run at goal. Stansfeld’s Alfie Nunn clipped the foot of the City post. Woollcott got close theirs. Ben Smith saw his firm drive well held and the impressive visitors came back with a late overhead kick that could have brough