Achillies 0 City 4

Eastern Junior Alliance: 7th February 2010

After the disappointment of the midweek defeat in extra time to Bishops Stortford could the boys put that behind them and get back to winning ways at Achillies.

For the trip to Ipswich we had 15 boys available as Joey Nicholson (injured) & Adam Wright (county) were missing. The facilities were excellent although the pitch was a little sticky down the middle.

We lined up as follows :
BRANDON, YOUNGS, GUY, SPENCER (c), MARTIN, DRISCOLL, HOBSON, HOWARD, FLACK, DARLING, POOLEY. Subs : HAYNES, BROWN, SAPSFORD, WYMAN.

We started much better this week, forcing three corners in the opening five minutes. The game then settled down and both teams were finding it hard to get the ball down and play. A couple of high crosses into the box were dealt with well by BRANDON. At the other end HOBSON and HOWARD were probing from midfield, but we failed to create much of a threat.

The first effort on goal really should have seen Achillies go in front but their striker shot over from close range. This seemed to give us a bit of a wake up call and we started to take over. POOLEY had a goal ruled out for handball, which some may say was harsh, but it was a great finish and unfortunate for him. A couple of minutes later MARTIN's excellent pass sent DARLING clear, but his lob drifted over the bar. This was followed by full-back YOUNGS skipping passed three defenders only to be crudely pulled down on the edge of the box. The home player was cautioned for his troubles. The free-kick though came to nothing.

GUY having his first start for a while was making the most of his chance and was in commanding form at the back. Skipper Spencer was urging his players on and on the stroke of halftime City grabbed the lead. A fine run by FLACK down the left saw him play in DARLING and from his cross the ball fell kindly for HOBSON to score from close range.

H/T Achillies 0 City 1

There were no changes at the break and the team talk centered around us keeping a clean sheet and defending properly.

Again we started well and looked very comfortable keeping the ball. Our first change in the 48th minute saw BROWN replace HOWARD. Three minutes later we doubled our lead. FLACK now on the right received the ball from DRISCOLL and his pull back found HOBSON and his ball into the box saw POOLEY finish comfortably past the home goalie.

In the 56th minute HAYNES came on for POOLEY up front. We continued to have a large amount of possession although the home side never gave up and were always a threat on the break. We sealed the points in the 63rd minute when BROWN, DRISCOLL & FLACK combined for leading scorer DARLING to burst through to score.

We then made our final two subs with HOBSON & skipper SPENCER making way for SAPSFORD and WYMAN respectively. There was still time for us to score a fourth and it was a great team goal involving 7 players. GUY at left back found MARTIN who passed to his fellow centre half SAPSFORD who in turn spread it wide to right back YOUNGS. He found FLACK up the line with a fine pass who beat his marker and put in a cross that BROWN cushioned his header to WYMAN to fire home sweetly left footed in to the corner. DARLING had another chance late on after great work by DRISCOLL but just failed to connect.

F/T Achillies 0 City 4

A fine reaction to the defeat on Wednesday night. The defence was well led by captain SAM SPENCER and for most of the game we looked solid. Although the pitch was not great in certain areas we still tried to play our football with SAM HOBSON putting in a fine shift in the middle of the park. Up front GEORGE DARLING scored for the 9th game running and is a constant threat at the moment.

Next week we entertain Billericay Town at Milton Road in the last eight of the EJA league cup. kick off 2pm.

Cambridge City Boys Section