City V Whitehaven.

Over 35s

With City now in a very good position at the top of the league it was
imperative they took advantage of their home games,and as we
have seen in previous weeks teams from out west do not travel that
well.

Whitehaven’s record was pretty dismal not having won away all
season but had taken some notable scalps at home, beating both
Grasslot and Zimmers in previous weeks.
City started the game well and tried to get their passing game
going, and it looked from early signs that they would have things all
their own way.

Slowly though Whitehaven settled and their quick closing down

tactics and their 5 man midfield stifled City somewhat although they
still tried to get it down and play.
It was somewhat fortunate that City took the lead as a ball played
across the Whitehaven area struck their defender on the hand and
the ref who was right on the spot gave the pen.Bootsy took the
penalty and the keeper guessed the right way but could not hold on
to the ball and Mike Graham following up slotted home the
rebound.1-0

City were still not being allowed to have time on the ball with
Whitehaven showing great enthusiasm for the task.
However City did create a string of chances and more through poor
finishing than good defending,the game stayed at 1-0,5 mins before
half time City’s determination paid off as a good passing move
released Pilkington into the area,and with a very cool finish
chipped the keeper to put City 2 up at half time.2-0

The second half started and it was clear that Whitehaven had
worked almost too hard in the first half as City were allowed more
time on the ball, enabling them to play better football.
Having said that it was not until 15mins from time that City
increased their lead when a strong run down the wing by Jenks saw
him evade two tackles before being upended in the box to give City
their second penalty of the night.
Jenks got up and stroked the ball into the bottom corner.3-0

With the rain thundering down it was no surprise when City went
further ahead when a high ball into the box was dropped behind him
and John (the cobra )Blyth was on it like a flash to prod the ball
home.4-0 FT

The majority of the Whitehaven players had played the game in the
right spirit and had shown City with addition of a couple of players
how difficult it will be when we play them away in the next few
weeks.
We have a rest from league action next week when we play our old
bogey side,Silloth in the County cup quarter final away.
Incidentally any over 35s reading this report I have just been
informed that Silloth will be playing the rest of their fixtures at
Abbeytown,