City

SUNDAY 14th SEPTEMBER 2008 CITY UNDER 18s 2-0 WARWICK WANDERERS City were looking to build on their fine win over Workington last Sunday whilst this was the first game for Wanderers after a postponement last weekend. Swinglehurst was the first player to hit the target, after 14 minutes, but his shot was saved. City took the lead after 17 minutes when a long ball into the Warwick box was allowed to bounce, and the City player held off a challenge, before poking the ball into the net. Three minutes later, City were again looking dangerous but the Wanderers keeper dived to save the shot. Warwick came close for the first time in the 21st minute when a corner had to be kicked off the City line, before the rebound was fired just wide. Swinglehurst managed to round the Warwick keeper but ran out of room, and a defender kicked the ball to safety. In the 25th minute, a driving run from Bruce saw a strong cross-cumshot clip the crossbar. City scored their second goal on 32 minutes, when a good right-wing cross was met perfectly by Swinglehurst, to shoot past the Warwick keeper. The visiting team tried to respond in the 36th minute when their striker ran clean through, but his lob was too high. Swinglehurst then shot over the bar from 25 yards and City missed a good chance just before the interval when a close-range shot flew over the bar. The beginning of the second half was fairly even until Warwick came very close after 55 minutes. Their striker broke into the right-hand side of the penalty area and shot across the keeper, who managed to get a hand on the ball. The keeper’s touch was sufficient to allow a City defender to get back and clear the danger. In the 61st minute, City ignored shouts for offside and a fine strike rebounded from the far post. In the resulting melee, a City player was fouled and a penalty kick awarded by referee Les Pattinson. Swinglehurst stepped forward to take the kick, but the Warwick keeper saved the shot low down to his right. After 70 minutes, a cross from the right found Bruce and his shot was saved by the keeper. In the 77th minute, the Warwick striker was bearing down on the City goal, and the City keeper saved bravely. The challenge resulted in an injury to the Warwick player and he had to be helped from the field. After 82 minutes, a fine ball from Swinglehurst to his strike partner was fired just wide. With five minutes remaining, Bruce produced the shot of the game and his thunderous 30-yard strike whistled past the post. In the next minute, Swinglehurst was able to take the ball around the keeper, but his scuffed shot bobbled wide. City took the three points fairly comfortably in the end, and have made a promising start to the season.