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Pre-Season Friendly

- 23/07/2010

It was a fairly even match, with plenty of attacking football and neat passing moves from both sides, interspersed with an occasional skillful touch, but City were undone by two fantastic first half Sheppey goals and I doubt we will see two better goals in the same match for the rest of the season!

First half saw Sheppey start on the front foot, with City defending a couple of corners and free kicks well and pushing forward when they could. A couple of chances went begging for City, a superb move ended with a super volley from Justin McVicar just tipped onto and over the bar by the Sheppey keeper, and a free header from a long throw going wide.

City were spraying the ball around well and there were some 'Gerrardesque' cross-field long range passes to admire. But it was an attacker left unchallenged on the edge of the box, that was allowed the time and room to collect a pass, and then turn and volley it superbly past the diving City keeper for 1-0. It was very soon 2-0, a missed header in midfield and the ball was crashed in from about thirty yards, dipping over the keeper and into the top corner, for another top drawer strike.

City continued the first half always looking to press on and always looking for the forward ball to create some opportunities, with Ashley Tuite being at the centre of everything in midfield.

Quite a few changes at half time, and whilst chances were created to get City back into the game, they were indebted to their keeper for stopping Sheppey at the other end. On at least three occasions, he was out to block or close down the Sheppey attack to prevent them scoring further. For City, well they didn't seem quite so potent up front second half, there were fewer balls going forward and more square and backward passes than had been the case in the first. Keyte looked the most impressive when City were attacking, with Sam Baker controlling the defence. The chances they did create came from set pieces - a couple of headers over, one from a long throw and the second at the back post from a corner. When they did finally break through, they were thwarted by a great recovery blocking tackle from a Sheppey defender.

Although City spent the last ten minutes, with more attacking urgency, the Sheppey defence stood firm and they were unable to get through, being restricted to a few long range efforts, that didn't trouble the Sheppey keeper too much.

Some promising signs from City and some nice football to watch as the new team gets it's shape and settles down.