Men's Firsts Get Promotion Charge Back On Track
City Men’s first team got their promotion charge back on track with a solid win against a well-organised Rugby and East Warwickshire side.
Cheered on by a larger than normal crowd, City started brightly and dominated the early exchanges with some neat passing but struggled to fashion any clear cut chances in a congested Rugby D.
The visitors had set out to defend but they also posed a threat on the break and one particularly dangerous counter needed a mid roly-poly reverse stick goalline clearance from Jacob D to keep the scores level.
City eventually opened the scoring when Mo S earned a short corner with some direct running down the right flank, the ball was stopped at the top of the D by Declan before Liam slammed the ball home off the inside of the near post.
Some sloppy passing almost gifted the visitors an equaliser as a quick break saw City concede a short corner. Number one runner Henry did will to chase down the man on strike and force him back out of the D but he was then penalised for not removing his mask at the earliest opportunity, luckily the second injection lacked accuracy and the City midfield were able to reclaim possession.
Captain Dec emphasised the importance of pressing as a team at the break and City responded by stepping up the intensity from the restart.
Several half chances were created from some relentless pressing and Scott was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as he fired a powerful shot inches over the bar before Jamie, JC and Mike all worked the ‘keeper. Top-scorer David Magill was again frustrated in his efforts to hit double figures for the season, twice deflecting the ball in to the ‘keepers pads from a couple of yards out.
Despite City’s dominance, the visitors were still posing a threat on the break and the home side needed ‘keeper Harry to come off his line to clean up a couple of direct counter attacks.
City finally doubled their lead as Liam scored again, this time he saw two shots blocked before hitting the net at third attempt. The closing stages of the game saw the home side dominate possession but unable to break down a resolute Rugby backline.
A much better performance from the 1s who could, and perhaps should, have scored more.
MotM - Liam for the two goals, a solid performance at the back and bringing Monster Munch for teas.
DotD - Boyce for tripping over the young Rugby forward.
Squad - Harry (GK), Henry, Liam, Jacob D, Boyce, Declan, Mike T, Jamie, Scott, David M, Sam L, Joseph C, Mo S, Luke
