City 3 Stansfield 0

[karthoarse]

City 3 Stansfield 0

An outstanding performance from City, who basically got on with their game and left their opponents to implode. Stansfield, the best footballing side we’ve probably played against all season, went into self destruct, as first they failed to find the net with some decent chances, then found themselves 2 goals behind, and further conceding a ridiculous own goal. All of which led them to believe it was everyone’s fault but their own which brought a constant stream of anglo-saxon and complaining and whinging to the officials, the supporters, each other and just about everyone else within earshot.

Stansfield opened the match in control, pinning City back and for the first quarter of the game looked worthy league leaders. They played the ball around well, put together some classy one touch moves and always had players in space. They created the first chances of the game. A decent move down the left saw a City defender dummied out of the game, but the shot went wide. From a corner, a header was just flicked wide, and breaking in free on the right, a shot was well saved by the busy Paul Hyde in the City goal. Hyde was then called upon to turn a corner over the bar. Stansfield were unhurried but quick and looking good going forward. A free kick was fired straight at Hyde and a shot went right across the City goal and only needed a touch. Despite their dominance, it was City who took the lead, well against the run of play. Limited to a couple of small sights of goal for Royston Gough, they put together a good move themselves through the centre of midfield, which ended with Liam Whiting hitting a shot that took a small deflection and hit the post and out for a corner. Joe Smith swung the corner in and it was Whiting who rose unchallenged to thump a clean header home for 1-0.

Stansfield responded well to the goal, a header from a corner was straight at a City defender on the line, a turn and shot from the edge of the box brought out another smart save from Hyde and he was there again to save a header from a free kick. Then, what was probably the turning point of the game for me. A shot from the Stansfield right flew across the City goal, with defenders and attackers merging, everyone missed it, leaving long and loud penalty claims from the Stansfield players and bench. The referee signalled a goal kick and this is where the Stansfield indiscipline had it’s roots. Right on half time a Stansfield shot flashed wide of the City goal adding to their frustrations and they trudged off for the break, still complaining about their lot!

Scott Lawford replaced the excellent Smith at half time and gave City another option going forward. Receiving the ball just inside his own half, he strode forward and bent this lovely pass into the box for Gough to run onto, with the keeper coming out expecting to gather the ball, Gough was just too quick for him, nicking the ball inches from his grasp and going round him to slide the ball into an empty net for 2-0. Stansfield then had a couple of shots clear the bar and a free kick played into the City box brought further and even louder penalty appeals, again waved away by the referee. Stansfield were now incensed and starting to show the traits that would ultimately cause them to have two players sent off. Arguing every decision that went against them, several players were booked for dissent and poor tackles born out of their continued frustrations.

City just got on with their jobs, failing to allow the circus going on around them to unsettle them. Just to add to Stansfield’s increasing woes, an embarrassing own goal was about to undo them further. With the ball in defence on the left, Whiting attempted to put the defender under some pressure, it was played inside for the Stansfield number five, who hitherto hadn’t put a foot wrong and he knocked it back to his keeper. Unfortunately for the home side, said keeper chose that moment to slip over and could only watch helplessly as the back pass rolled across the ground and nestled in the net for 3-0.

City were now taking advantage of their lead and Stansfield’s self imposed problems. Whiting put Gough through, but the keeper smothered his effort and Gough then returned the compliment, setting up Whiting, but his shot was saved down low. Stansfield headed wide from a corner and Hyde was at full stretch to keep out another effort. Stansfield attempted to keep up the pressure, a shot went over, as did a central free kick. After which, apart from a regulation save to a header from Hyde and some stout defending by everyone, the busiest man on the pitch, was the referee as he continued to collect enough names for a Stansfield area ’phone book, and eventually showed two red cards just for good measure. Last efforts went to City, Gough shot over from just outside the box and Craig Short, on as a sub, had a run and fired over from distance.

An excellent victory for City and all credit to them for refusing to be dragged into the Stansfield debacle, that they themselves had created.

[SOCKSY]

Wasn't it that lot who sparked the swearing debate earlier in the season? Well done City anyway and I'm glad the City supporters were able to start a near riot despite my absence!

[Mr Winterburn]

Just shows swearing isn't big,hard or clever.