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City's Under 13s march on

- 14/03/2010

City Under 13s 7 Sittingbourne 1

City's Under 13s having performed so well in cup competitions, a few onlookers may be forgiven for believing City are an average team that have got lucky on the day in their cup games. Understandable when you look at the league table which shows four wins and three losses. However, not caring what anyone else thinks and just getting on with our own job is something which is preached throughout the club.

With all the cup competitions now over for us this season, the league is the priority and manager Ben Smith has made that clear to the players and parents. Whereas in the earlier part of the season players were swapped around throughout the game and we were tending to concede goals and drop points unnecessarily, the new more strict approach to substitutions which Smith has adopted may have raised a few eyebrows, but no one can argue with the result which now boasts five wins in a row.

Today we welcomed Sittingbourne Town to the Langton. Whilst many would have expected an easy victory due to their league position and goals conceded, we have learned that there is no such thing as an easy game in this league. We approach every game the same and give each opponent the same amount of respect as the last.

Starting below average and playing down the slope, City were finding the ball a lot in the Sittingbourne half, but for all the possession a lot of wrong decisions were made that allowed Sittingbourne to try and counter attack with long, high balls played over the City backline. A shot from one of these attacks was heading for the top corner, but Wood made the save look easy as he plucked the ball from the air.

With Smith struggling to shout with a sore throat, I was encouraged to be more vocal than I may normally be. Maybe it was hearing me shout more and the players not being used to it that acted as the encouragement needed to get more focused. Soon City stepped it up a gear and were playing some of the best football they have all season. The defence of Watt and Owen were playing the ball out to the fullbacks, L Kennelly and Lofting, this meant we kept possession and made Sittingbourne work harder, which ultimately led to more space and chances were soon created.

Soon Callum Kennelly opened his account for the day. Being played through, he took one touch to set himself up then calmly played the ball past the keeper. Not long after he was on hand to add a second which if anything made him more confident. We were suddenly starting to see the Callum Kennelly that we knew was there, but has not always been on show this season.

The dribbling skills of Joe Halford were again on show; constantly running at the left back after the service provided by the excellent Lofting. It was Halford himself that got on the scoresheet next, cutting in from the right hand side, he released a cross-come-shot that flew over the keeper and into the top corne...3-0 City.

Not content with the thee goal margin, Kennelly again found space in the box to complete his hat-trick, the smile on his face telling the whole story, but why stop at three? The ball was crossed in perfectly from Kermode and Kennelly was in the right place at the right time to head his fourth goal of the game and send City in at half-time with a comfortable five goal lead.

The second half was a different story. Whilst being so comfortable in the first half, there is always a difficulty in maintaining the determination to constantly keep attacking and push for more goals when in fairness the game was over.

Injuries started to occur, particularly to Cutts, Lofting and Snee - nothing to serious, but enough to force a reshuffle of players which may have upset the balance and rhythm of City. However, a cross was put into the Sittingbourne box and the defender was unfortunate in attempting to head away to safety, only to see the ball loop over the keeper and into the back of the net.

The final City goal came from a piece of magic from Halford on the right hand side: step overs, past two defenders, created space and the cross was perfect for Lawal to smash home, although close to the bar, from two yards out.

With City 7-0 up and a minute left, Sittingbourne got a goal out of nothing. An under-hit clearance from the City defence fell to the striker who smashed a swerving shot that took everyone by surprise, including Wood, as it crept into the top corner - a goal that maybe Sittingbourne deserved for their never give up attitude.

Highlights of the day were undoubtedly Callum getting four goals and Lofting's performance at right back.

Overall three points gained and a few places higher in the league. The target is still clear and in sight.

Sam Baker

COME ON CITY !!!