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City youngsters take heart in defeat

- 17/01/2010

Canterbury can take a lot of encouragement out of this game and into next week's cup match. Both teams played some excellent football and there wasn't much between the sides.

Canterbury started the match very wel,l playing some of their best football of the season, moving the ball all the time with good movement from all the players. With the two midfield Calums (Dock and Kennelly) working hard, City were in charge in the centre of the pitch and both Billy Shearer and then Dominic Snee on the right and Joe Halford on the left caused Maidstone problems. Halford in particular was proving a real handful on the left, linking up well with Jimi Lawal, but City could not quite get the final ball or shot on target.

At the back, City's defence stopped Maidstone from getting too close to their goal with both Kieran Owen and Kieron Watt making well timed interceptions. Each team had two free kicks in dangerous positions but all four were defended well.

With the first half finishing at goalless both sides looked to try and get an advantage early in the second half. It was City who went close first, with the ball just going wide. However, it was Maidstone who scored the only goal of the game midway through the second half with a good move allowing Robbie Smith to break through and score.

City pushed forward trying to get the equaliser but United stood firm at the back. Then United had another chance to score towards the end but Rob Lofting made a crucial tackle just as the Maidstone forward was going to shoot.

City were unlucky not to get a point from the game, but if they play like they did in the first half they will win many games. Well done boys and good luck for the next match.

CITY: Wood, Lofting, Allan, Dock, Owen, Woods, Shearer, Lawal, Kennelly, Kennelly, Hitchins, Snee, Watt, Cutts, Hulme, Halford