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cityaddick · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 141 Location: West of the bog

The result we wanted and a gritty performance that was needed is how I see this one. Oakwood as the last time we played them were a very good and very hard working side and it took great defencive effort to keep them at bay. I firmly believe that the Bridge pitch does us no favours but that said I think our passing and first touches were at times poor putting us under increased pressure, but all in all we deserved our win. Two good headed goals from Lawford and Gough and a right ding dong battle to hold midfield control although again here we at times need to be quicker to second balls and a tad tougher without being dirty. I also think the front two ran their socks off, Royston got the important second goal and a great header it was, but Fittall can feel happy that although he didnt score he gave a good 90 minutes of hard graft both attcking and coming back to help out in defence. All in all as I said a good and gritty performance all round. Well done the city.

karthoarse · Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:09 pm Post subject:

This was a game when the result would always be more important than the performance. But as it happened we got both. A solid and determined performance from City, Oakwood failed really to show any urgency until about the last few minutes when already 2-0 down.

On the back foot for the first 10 minutes or so, it was City that created the first real chance of the game, when Royston Gough skewed a header wide from a Michael Seager long throw. Good to have Seager back because that long throw can be a valuable weapon. Scott Lawford opened the scoring soon after. Gough and Wayne Fittall created an opening that was well defended, but the ball fell to Callum McGeehan, who fired in a fierce low drive from the edge of the box that was hastilly cleared off the line, but as the ball flew in the air, Lawford cleverly looped a header over the stranded keeper and two or three defenders who all seemed to fail to make any attempt to stop it drifting in the top corner 1-0. City pressed forward, and Alex Hossick created a chance for himself with a flick and a shot, and then City had a definate penalty appeal turned down, when Gough attempting to dribble the ball through, had the ball scooped away from him by a defender's hand. McGeehan then nearly surprised the keeper when cutting in from the right into the box he suddenly chose to attempt a narrow angle shot, which the keeper just managed to paw past the far post. 1-0 at half time, would City rue the possession they had and not scoring a second, or making better use of some of the dead ball opportunities given them.

The answer was no. City dominated the second half. Oakwood almost gifted Fittall a goal early on, when their keeper allowed a regulation back pass to go under his foot, and then found himself facing his own net with the ball going towards it, but with Fittall bearing down on him, he just managed to stop the ball from going over the line and clear it. Gough almost got the second but the keeper just about got enough of his fingertips to the ball to divert it onto the bar and away. Oakwood went close when a free header went wide. Following a Seager long throw, a McGeehan shot hit the bar and Gough, in a flash pounced on the rebound but it went just wide. Fittall then had a long range effort saved and following a bit of a scramble Alex Hossick shot over from the edge of the box. Danny Wrench then made a couple of saves as Oakwood carved out a couple of chances, but they still did not seem to be playing with any urgency depite being a goal down. Another Seager long throw and Fittall headed over, then the second goal that City's play had deserved. A Lawford corner on the right was superbly headed in across the goal by Gough beating the keeper and a couple of defenders who were close by 2-0. It was only now, that someome must have got a message to Oakwood, that this was not a two-legged game, and they had about 10 minutes to do something about the result. They quickly created 3 efforts on City's goal, a shot saved by Wrench, then a ball from the left flew across the City area but no-one could divert it in and finally a lob over the City keeper went wide. Stung by this resurgent effort, City themselves surged forward, with intent to score a third or just wind down the clock and kill the game off. Ashley Tuite, a second half sub, found Alex Hossick, but his shot was well saved, from a corner the same player had another effort saved and finally Tuite himself shot over.

An excellent game to watch. cityaddick is right about Gough and Fittall running their socks off, and a mention too for McGeehan and Ben Smith in midfield.

Anyone know where the final will be played? Is Wembley free that week?

ghost of hawk · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

I hope theres plenty of notice so I can book it off.
definately don't want to miss it as i've been to all the finals,
I might not go if it rains though.

md093834 · Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:29 am Post subject:

GOH, you are more like an armchair supporter of a premier league side than anyone I know. You profess to be a die hard supporter but we only ever see you for cup finals!!!

Seriously, it would be great if the game could be played close to home so that as many supporters as possible can attend. Granted that won't give the players quite the same day as if they have a decent coach journey ahead of them but it would be nice if we could get some of the City supporters who can only attend home games there.

It'll be interesting to see who City play or even whether the other semi final gets played at all!

ghost of hawk · Joined: 22 Nov 2007 Posts: 87

well , holiday time is here and I shall be making the trip to bridge on the 14th to see us play guru nanak and if I can tap the cat up for a lift I might also be at the margate friendly.
I wonder if that will be a socksy weekend or not?