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Tiger Roar frontpage archive - 2015 Q1
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| Saturday October 3rd 2015 |
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Jonte Smith
came closest
Josh Cooke
debutant
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There are people who say we deserved to draw this game. I don't think we did.
OK, we did well enough but Harrogate grew as the game wore on and it felt inevitable that they'd score, whatever way it came.
They were a decent side, as good as Gainsborough were, the only saving grace was that the game wasn't over in the first half and we kept it alive until the dying embers.
In life they say that cheats don't prosper, but we all know that that's bollocks because the goal, a penalty after flippy flipflop had run into a challenge by James Bowen was converted by Harrogate top scorer Brendan Daniels. Twenty minutes earlier Daniels had in an attempt to get either Bowen or George Miller sent off.
City had their chances and Jonte Smith had the ball in the net in the first half after loan signing Joshua Cooke had handled the ball but it was rightly ruled out. At the other end Jas Singh did his best to keep Harrogate at bay. Where would we be without him?
We're now in the bottom four and if we don't sort out our inability to score we'll be there at the end of the season.
City : Singh, Green, Bowen, Williams, Avery, Miller, Hanks, Webb, Cooke (Parker 72), Smith (Symons 46), Hall (Liddiard 77) Subs n/u : Hamilton, Richards
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| Saturday September 5th 2015 |
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Obi Anoruo
goalscorer
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After those two wins in two days it felt like we could go on and win the Champions League but it was back down to Earth with a bump with this 1-3 home defeat to AFC Fylde.
We went behind twice to what looked like soft goals. When you'd seen how we'd defended recently that made them harder to take. Both came from City's right hand side; the first a controlled cross and header past Jas then what would be best described as a tap-in.
Obi Anoruo had levelled matters when he reacted quickest to a Matt Williams flick from James Bowen's Delapesque long throw in but with just Obi and Joe Parker available following Harry White's move to Barnsley, City looked as though they lacked options up front.
Bowen couldn't reproduce his heroics from Monday and with Billy Jones out of sorts Lewis Hall had a chance for a change. Then Bowen got injured. Let's hope it's not bad.
City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones (Hall 78), Williams, Avery, Hanks, Liddiard, Thompson (Richards 46), Anorou, Parker, Bowen (Miller 87) Subs n/u : Dickin, Green
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| Obi Anoruo beats the Fylde keeper to equalise for City |
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| Saturday September 5th 2015 |
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Obi Anoruo
goalscorer
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After those two wins in two days it felt like we could go on and win the Champions League but it was back down to Earth with a bump with this 1-3 home defeat to AFC Fylde.
We went behind twice to what looked like soft goals. When you'd seen how we'd defended recently that made them harder to take. Both came from City's right hand side; the first a controlled cross and header past Jas then what would be best described as a tap-in.
Obi Anoruo had levelled matters when he reacted quickest to a Matt Williams flick from James Bowen's Delapesque long throw in but with just Obi and Joe Parker available following Harry White's move to Barnsley, City looked as though they lacked options up front.
Bowen couldn't reproduce his heroics from Monday and with Billy Jones out of sorts Lewis Hall had a chance for a change. Then Bowen got injured. Let's hope it's not bad.
City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones (Hall 78), Williams, Avery, Hanks, Liddiard, Thompson (Richards 46), Anorou, Parker, Bowen (Miller 87) Subs n/u : Dickin, Green
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| Obi Anoruo beats the Fylde keeper to equalise for City |
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| Monday August 31st 2015 |
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Jas Singh
brother lee love hands
James Bowen
outstanding
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This was a superb win; the kind of game that I go to with no kind of expectation. We don't have a good record against Nuneaton, not here or at home and have to go back to the early nineties to recall our last victory.
And that was against a different team at a different ground.
Post match comments from the home support bemoans our having a plan to stop them playing. I question the intellect of people who take this line. What are we supposed to do? Let them walk it in?
Nuneaton had been watched and according to City boss Tim Harris the report was bang on the money, although the spelling wasn't that great!
They've got a big name in their side, ex-West Ham man Marlon Harewood. I was expecting him to be a big deal. He really wasn't. He even missed an open goal. That was after he'd sat on James Bowen and got himself subbed off in the second half.
It was Bowen's night. He was superb. When he was with us last season he looked steady but over the summer he's found bucketloads of confidence. He might be an untried kid but I like it when him and his ilk come to this level and play with a swagger. He was the matchwinner.
The only goal of the game came midway through the second half when Obi Anoruo burst his way down the right hand side and crossed to Mike Symons in the middle. Symo flicked on and Bowen had gained twenty yards on his marked where he controlled the ball and smashed it past the Nuneaton keeper. He followed it up with a celebratory slide across the slick Liberty Park pitch.
It probably should've been 2-0 when Joe Parker had the ball in the net from Bowen's centre but the linesman's union have taken it upon themselves to disallow all of his goals this season. That's two he hasn't scored now.
City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones, Williams, Avery, Hanks, Liddiard, Connolly (Thompson 42), Anorou (Parker 87), Symons, Bowen (Miller 90) Subs n/u : Hall, Hicks
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| City star Billy Jones makes light work of tackling Marlon Harewood at Nuneaton |
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| Saturday August 29th 2015 |
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Joe Hanks
matchwinner
Connor Thompson
best game yet
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"How on Earth did we win that?" was the bemused response from some City fans after this 1-0 win against AFC Telford United.
Hard work, luck and Jas Singh would probably answer that.
The only goal of the game came on the stroke of half time when Joe Hanks sent in one of those free kicks that leaves a goalkeeper wondering if he should go for the ball or leave it as attackers run in and almost connect. On this occasion Telford stopper James Montgomery was beaten and City scored.
The Shrewsbury team had only scored once so far this season and that was a penalty and they were probably hard done by with their response bringing the best out of Singh on occasions whilst the tale of two goalkeepers gathered pace with Montgomery, grandson of ex-Sunderland keeper Jim emulating his opposite number as City sought to increase their advantage.
Telford should've been reduced to ten men early doors when Mark Lees went in late on Jim Bowen but was only booked. The same foul had been committed in the Newcastle vs Arsenal game on TV at dinnertime and was a straight red. Bowen limped on for ten more mintues but was replaced by Lewis Hall.
City might've added to their woeful goals tally had a penalty been awarded when Mike Symons was tripped whilst Connor Thompson missed a sitter when he headed over an open goal, although that miss aside he had what was probably his best game for the club to date.
City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones, Williams, Avery, Hanks, Liddiard, Thompson (Connolly 84), Anorou (White 66), Symons, Bowen (Hall 22) Subs n/u : Parker, Hicks
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| City striker Harry White goes in where it hurts against AFC Telford |
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| Tuesday August 18th 2015 |
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Spencer Hamilton
sent off
Marc Richards
goalscorer!
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This draw actually felt more like a win.
Relegated Alfreton looked a decent outfit and certainly deserved their lead when they eventually got it but they should've killed us off before Marc Richards, of all people headed home an equaliser with a few minutes to go.
The Nottingham outfit thought they'd taken the lead in the first half when Jas Singh's kick was blocked by a retreating Alfreton man and the rebound slotted home by another. However the lino interjected and after discussion with the ref it seemed that the goal had been given, well, going by the cheers of the impressive throng of Alfreton fans. It wasn't though.
You thought you had scored. So did we, so did we!
The Mansfield side bossed the half and took the lead minutes before the break when Tom Allen nodded home a second phase cross after a corner had been cleared.
It got better for the Derby team when City were reduced to ten men with a very harsh straight red for Spencer Hamilton. Yes he nudged over their winger but was he the last man? Was there a clear goalscoring opportunity? Or was the ref just a cunt? Who knows!
Having ten men doesn't really seem that much of an advantage these days but seeing as we'd been overrun in midfield the introduction of Richards into the heart of the side turned out to be a masterstroke by City boss Tim Harris as his side battled hard and eventually earned a valuable point.
We now have a point for every game we've played. If thats the case at the end of the season will it be enough? One things for sure, we have to get better because battling alone isn't going to win matches.
City : Singh, Hamilton (s/o 45), Jones, Williams, Avery, Connolly, Liddiard, Thompson (Richards 46), Anorou (Green 46), Symons, Parker (White 70) Subs n/u : Hicks, Hall
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| Adam Connolly tries an acrobatic shot against Alfreton |
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| Saturday August 15th 2015 |
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Joe Parker
goal ruled out
Lewis Hall
looked sharp
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City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones, Williams, Avery, Connolly, Liddiard, Thompson, Anorou (White 63), Symons, Parker (Hall 81) Subs n/u : Richards, Green, Hicks
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| Joe Parker's perfectly good goal is about to be ruled out |
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| Wednesday August 12th 2015 |
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Jas Singh
penalty save
Obi Anorou
consolation goal
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Tim Harris said after Saturday's game that he didn't want anyone to get carried away and it was just as well after this disappointing defeat to Corby Town.
Away games against the Steelmen always used to be fun because we had a long run of wins there so they went to the lengths of building a new stadium on the back of their Rockingham Triangle athletics ground and it seems to have done the trick for them.
To be fair to Corby they were better at doing the things that we wanted to do and it was the difference in what was, over the ninety minutes a fairly even contest.
They scored three goals in about ten minutes midway through the first half; the first from a striker with an unpronouncable name on loan from MK Dons. His pace was too much for Matt Williams and he finished high past Jas Singh in the City goal.
The second was a sweet strike from Ashley Sammons as he curled a shot into the top corner after a flag kick had been cleared to him on the edge of the box. Trying not to take anything away from him, it was the kind of finish that every player can do in the warm up but in a game he should never have been given the room to attempt it.
The third was a penalty, a tussle between Williams and the MK Dons man saw the ref point to the spot but the video replay shows very little contact if any. Jas was given no chance by Greg Mills.
An incident before half time makes Corby look bad. Some had already deliberately thrown the ball beyond Billy Jones as he waited to take a corner and the same person offered the ball to Ross Staley before purposely sending it back down the line. To his credit the referee ran straight to a steward and one would assume he asked them to take action.
They didn't.
At the World of Smiles Stadium the stewards would've thrown him straight out. Piss poor Corby. Piss poor.
City bossed the second half but again failed to really create telling chances and Corby showed their edge when they won another penalty. Again it was Williams at fault bringing down their speedy winger but this time Jashands was Jasfeet as he blocked Mills' spot kick and then produced a fine save to turn the rebound over the bar.
Those who stayed to the end were rewarded with a consolation goal as Obi Anorou, who'd looked sharp all night was played in by a sumptuous pass from Joe Parker to score.
City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones, Williams, Avery, Connolly, Liddiard, Thompson (Hicks 76), Anorou, White (Symons 64), Staley (Parker 64) Subs n/u : Richards, Hall
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| Saturday August 8th 2015 |
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Ross Staley
two goals
Mark Saunders
class of '94!
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City : Singh, Hamilton, Jones, Williams, Avery, Connolly, Liddiard, Thompson, Anorou (Parker xx), White (Symons xx), Staley (Hall xx) Subs n/u : Richards
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| City striker Obi Anorou is brought down by the FCUM keeper for a penalty kick |
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| Saturday July 11th 2015 |
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Ross Staley
two goals
Mark Saunders
class of '94!
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Football is back.
I'm never a great fan of opre-season games even if I have seen my fair share of them down the years, although I didn't attend Fairford on our last visit back in 1994 so it was nice to tick off a new ground.
Tim had picked an interesting formation with four strikers filling the attacking roles. Are we seeing round pegs in square holes? Joe Parker played wide on the right and Harry White filled a deeper role so he had more time on the ball. Harry is an excellent prospect and it will be disappointing if he makes way to accomodate Symo.
Nathan Modest played most of the game. By all accounts he's out of term time at Hartpury and is travelling from Sheffield for training and games. That's just the kind of comittment that is great to see. I hope he's rewarded for his effort.
City dominated the game which was played out on a hard pitch on a hot summers day and for a long time it looked as though it was going to be one of those games that ended goalless. But that changed in the second half. Ross staley scored twice and Mike Symons a third although it was ruled out for offside. That fact that he was behind the cross and it was deflected off of a defender seemed lost on the linesman!
It was nice to see former City defender at the game too, although I think I was the only City fan that recognised him!
City : Singh, Green, Greenwood, Williams, Avery, Connolly, Miller, Modest, Anorou, White, Parker Subs (all used) : Richards, Symons, Hicks, Thompson, Staley, Haswell, Churchley, Wright
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| City striker Mike Symons sees the funny side of an appalling offside flag that ruled out his goal |
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| Saturday April 25th 2015 |
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Connor Thompson
opened scoring
Harry White
lovely finish
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It's not often you can come away from a game where you've scored six goals and not feel bad about it.
Despite City's decent recent form it was always going to be a tough ask to turn over AFC Fylde, a team who would've won the title with this result had Barrow not won at Lowestoft.
Connor Thompson gave the Tigers an early lead when Mike Green got around the back and sent in a wonderful cross to the near post. The winger got himself between the defender and goalkeeper to bundle the ball in. It was short lived though as the home team scored with a deflected free kick and then a soft penalty which Harry White was booked for pulling their player over.
Chris Knowles thumped in a header at the far post from Billy Jones' sumptuous corner just before the break but within seconds of the restart Fylde were ahead again when a beautiful cross from the right wing travelled across the six-yard box before being tapped in at the far post.
Fylde had scored two quick goals in the first half and City did it in the second; White beat two defenders and curled a lovely shot inside the far post before Nick Wright beat the offside trap but was brought down by a combination of defender and goalkeeper. Jones made no mistake from twelve yards.
Two points of note from that. One was that I was sat next to the worst kind of home fan who described Harry's goal as poor defending, despite his skill and finess to get in a goalscoring position and then put it away. Then there's the fact that Harry has had his critics, but now that he's got his feet under the table at City he must stay next season and make that number nine shirt his own. He'll score twenty goals.
The scoreboard at Kellamergh Park looked good with City ahead but it wasn't going to last. They scored three more, including another penalty but it was for nothing as Barrow won and they had to face the lottery of the playoffs.
City : Rivers, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Thompson (Staley 84), Knowles, Wright (Modest 76), H.White (Kabba 84), Orenuga. Subs n/u : Richards, P.White
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| Harry White in control at AFC Fylde |
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| Saturday April 18th 2015 |
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Harry White
two goals
Harvey Rivers
debut
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Where did this ridiculous run of form come from? All that stress through the season and now we manage to go unbeaten for over a month and but for a blip at Gainsborough we'd have won our last six games.
In previous seasons it hasn't gone as close to the wire as this one so it was a weird feeling going to Whaddon to watch a dead rubber and the result almost didn't matter to me.
The one thing that I liked about today was our opponents. We've played the likes of Halifax and Chester but those were pheonix clubs. Stockport are THE Stockport County that we remember from the olden days; Kevin Francis, Danny Bergara et al. They've had a remarkable fall from grace and won't be too keen to be reminded that we've now beaten them twice!
That said, they were shite and didn't really up their game until the latter stages of the second half, by which time Harry White had scored two tap in's and spurned at least another couple of chances to grab a hat-trick.
His first came when Billy Jones seemed to mis-hit a cross and with Nick Wright having an air shot at the near post the Stockport goalkeeper was wrong footed and White beat Sam Avery to the ball to bang it into the roof of the net. The second was all about Femi Orenuga and his wing wizardary as he cut in from the touchline and laid off a simple ball for Harry to slot home. When our wingers do their job we win, it's that simple.
They pulled a goal back with ten minutes to go when they scored after two efforts had been cleared off of the line. It was the only blot on debutant goalkeeper Harvey Rivers' long awaited debut.
Onto AFC Fylde to piss on their promotion parade next Saturday!
City : Rivers, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Staley (Thompson 72), Webb, Wright (Modest 81), H.White, Orenuga (Knowles 82). Subs n/u : Richards, P.White
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| Tuesday April 14th 2015 |
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Harry Williams
winner
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There are wins and there are wins but there was more to this one.
It wasn't because it continued our recent excellent form. It wasn't because it secured our place in the Conference North for another year. It wasn't even because Tyler Weir joined the wrong club. It was because it kept up this fantastic record of straight wins against our "local" rivals Worcester.
Backed by around a hundred and fifty travelleing fans City took an early lead when ex-Worcester man Nick Wright found winger Femi Orenuga with a delighful pass behind Weir and as Nathan Vaughan's usual gung-ho style of rushing off his line it gave Femi a perfect opening to roll the ball into the far corner. That said, how both Worcester defender Anthony Charles and Harry Williams failed to get a touch is a mystery.
Both teams had half chances to score but the home side were presented with a perfect opportunity to level matters when Mike Green got a hold of Mike Symons' shirt in the area. It's not like Symo's game is mostly played with his arms but the referee was far too keen to award a spot kick and City keeper Paul White had no chance as Sean Geddes rifled the ball home.
The Tigers had to weather the storm in the second half as Worcester looked to arrest the terrible run they're having against is but they were out of luck as Tim Harris' men netted what turned out to be the winning goal.
White sent a drop kick up field for striker Williams to chase. Another former Tiger, Kyle Haynes couldn't stop him and a clever ball through to Wright saw the shot blocked and as the ball lopped up into the air Williams strode past a static defence to score.
We are staying up!
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen, Webb, Wright (H.White 70), H.Williams, Orenuga (Knowles 84). Subs n/u : Staley, Thompson, Rivers
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| Tom Webb in some high kicking action with ex-City striker Mike Symons at Kidderminster tonight |
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| Saturday April 11th 2015 |
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Harry Williams
glanced header
Tom Webb
what more can be said
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Most of us who follow this football club are grown adults and whilst there may not have been too many of us at Gainsborough on Monday to feel that absolute dagger in the heart that the late goals thrust into us our wounds were certainly healed by Tom Webb's superb last minute winner against Chorley here today.
It's ridiculous the emotions that "only a game" puts us through.
After Webby's goal there were chants of "We are staying up" from the T-End. It's not mathematical yet but it should be after we beat Worcester at Aggborough on Tuesday evening.
Chorley are decent mind and they came here today with a six-game winning run behind them. To their credit they didn't waste much possession and after they took the lead through a soft penalty when an attacker ran into Sam Avery and went down it looked like it might be a long afternoon for the City fans.
However, lovely skill out wide by Nick Wright made room for a cross which Harry Williams got something on and the ball looped high over goalkeeper Sam Ashton before going in off of the top of the post. I don't know who was more surprised!
Wright had a great chance to give City the lead having got his head to Mike Green's cross but his header glanced narrowly wide of the post.
The Manchester team grew into the game in the second and the Tigers did well to get men behind the ball and restrict them. Former Halifax man James Dean, who'd given them the lead from the spot had their only chance of the half but plundered his shot over Paul White's crossbar.
Jim Bowen smashed a shot into the crossbar and when substitute Harry White was denied by a great block by Ashton late on we thought it was all over, but it wasn't. Tom Webb responded to shouts of "Gamble" from the City bench and beat a host of defenders before hitting a sweet left footed shot low into the bottom corner from outside the box.
Scenes!
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen, Webb, Wright (H.White 70), H.Williams, Orenuga (Staley 77). Subs n/u : Staley, Rivers
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| Chorley goalkeeper Sam Ashton can only watch as Harry Williams' header goes in off of the post |
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| Monday April 7th 2015 |
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Nick Wright
two goals
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I don't think we're going to go down now but if we do we'll look back at these last five minutes at Gainsborough today in the same way that we recalll those at Ninian Park twenty-five years ago.
We were so comfortable. Two goals up going into the games final throes and then Chris Knowles gives away a free kick, their goalkeeper punts it into the area, Paul White is thinking should I stay or should I go and is caught in no mans land when Darryn Stamp pwers a header over him. Two minutes later a cut back from inside the area on the right hand side and Stamp has the ball in the net via a deflection.
I know that they say it's only a game and all that but it's hard to put into words how pissed off that made me feel. And then we had a long trip home.
Both halves had started so well too. Nick Wright might've scuffed his first goal in but they all count. His second was decent mind. Jim Bowen found him with a ball over the top and he ran in from the left hand side before lashing him a shot with the outside of his right foot. The keeper had no chance.
The ending to the story though perfectly sums up why we are where we are.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen, Webb, Wright (H.White 82), H.Williams (Modest 88), Orenuga (Knowles 77). Subs n/u : Staley, Rivers
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| Nick Wright looks cool as the City fans celebrate his fifth minute opener |
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| Saturday April 5th 2015 |
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Sam Avery
goalscorer
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For once we've managed not to foul up a six-pointer!
OK, it might not have been the best spectacle; City didn't play the best football in the first half, even though they did take the lead when Sam Avery powered home a header from Billy Jones' corner. The set piece was perfection itself which leads me to ask why haven't we scored more goals from corners? We get enough!
When we lost 1-4 at Leamington earlier in the season it was Adam Connolly who got our consolation goal. It was fitting then that he got on the scoresheet again. His go up there was a stunning strike, this wasn't as good but it still counted. A free kick was half cleared and he took his time to curl a shot in from the left hand corner of the penalty area.
The third came from youngster Harry Williams. Tom Webb had shrugged off the challenge of a wrong-sided defender and laid the ball off for Williams who took a touch before shooting between his markers legs with the keeper rooted to the spot.
To Leamington's credit they didn't lie down and die, the got one back when Nick Wright made a late run into the box for a defensive corner and haplessly deflected a clearance beyond Paul White. They followed that with an unbelieveable miss from in front of the goal before they were denied a penalty late on.
These three points were very handy indeed.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen, Webb, Wright (Modest 90), H.White (H.Williams 44), Orenuga (Knowles 66). Subs n/u : Staley, Rivers
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| On loan youngsters Harry Williams and James Bowen celebrate the formers goal |
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| Saturday March 28th 2015 |
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Femi Orenuga
star man
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It's been a good week.
A point at in form Bradford on Monday night followed by all three here at Solihull today has moved City out of the bottom three. Can we just end the season now please?
Solihull barely threeatened. Paul White was called into action a couple of times and did his job well and there was a goalmouth scramble in the second half which caused a few hearts to flutter but overall the Birmingham team were second best as City earned a deserved win.
Inept refereeing created the first goal; Tom Webb had made a surging run when he was fouled. Everyone said it was inside the area but the ref bottled it and gave a free kick outside. Not even a word with the defender let alone a red card owing to him being last man. Billy Jones' free kick was cleared but on the attacks second wave Femi Orenuga went down under the challenge of a defender giving the referee no option but to point to the spot from which Jones made no mistake.
Femi got the second at the start of the second half. He beat two defenders to the ball after a great move involving improving winger Jim Bowen and new striker Nick Wright.
A great win, now we need to build on it by beating Leamington at Whaddon Road on Saturday.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen, Webb, Wright (H.White 67), Kabba (H.Williams 70), Orenuga (Knowles 79). Subs n/u : Modest, Staley
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| Thumbs up for City keeper Paul White as he gathers a Solihull shot |
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| Monday March 23rd 2015 |
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Matt Williams
wonder goal
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A point is better than nothing I suppose but again having taken the lead City couldn't hold it as Bradford equalised to deny the Tigers a much needed victory.
Defender Matt Williams had given Tim Harris' men a half time lead with a superb strike on the run before Chib Chilaka grabbed the leveller midway through the second half.
The point lifts City out of the relegation zone.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Connolly, Bowen (Modest 77), Webb, H.White (Diop 84), Kabba, Thompson (H.Williams 77). Subs n/u : Richards, Orenuga
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| Saturday March 21st 2015 |
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Harry White
City scorer
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Let's just forget that this happened and concentrate on the eight Cup Finals we've got between now and the end of the season eh?
Our destiny is in our own hands, albeit against some very good teams and it might all end with an away game behind a pub in Lancashire with one team needing to win to stay up and the other to win the league!
We took the lead today; Harry White rifled home from close range after a scruffy game of pinball in the six-yard box but Paul White spilled a free kick and was punished before they won the game late in the second half.
Let's just put it all behind us.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Knowles, Bowen (Staley 83), Webb, H.White, Kabba, Thompson (Diop 82). Subs n/u : Connolly, Orenuga, H.Williams
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| Saturday March 14th 2015 |
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Sahr Kabba
hit post
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As much as last week's results went our way the precarious nature of our position was highlighted by Colwyn Bay's shock win at home to Tamworth as we fell to an unlucky defeat at the hands of Boston United.
Boston have taken teams apart at their will. They didn't do it to us but they still won. And we lost.
We played well. Worked hard and frustrated a team who always seem to do well and are themselves heading towards a berth in the playoffs.
City pretty much had six at the back to try to cope with them and the offset of this was a lean afternoon for the strikers. The closest we came to scoring was a great turn and shot by Sahr Kabba as half time approached.
Boston were restricted to few chances too but having been denied by a great save from Paul White in the first half Boston striker Mark Jones wasn't going to miss when James Bowen mishit a clearance into his path.
Super. Smashing. Great.
Not.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, M.Williams, Avery, Knowles, Bowen (Diop 82), Webb, H.Williams (White 65), Staley (Orenuga 71). Subs n/u : Richards, Connolly
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| Saturday March 7th 2015 |
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Adam Connolly
shot from distance
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This could've been so much worse. Harrogate has never been somewhere that we've done well, despite their constant failure in the face of spending loads of money they always seem to beat us up there as they did today.
Despite playing well and creating chances the home side took a two goal second half lead before Sahr Kabba pulled one back as he slotted home the rebound from Adam Connolly's shot.
However, the defeat was effectively rendered meaningless with everyone except bottom placed Hyde losing meaning that we're one game closer to the end of the season with that five point cushion intact.
It does now mean that the game at Stalybridge in a fortnight will define our season!
City : P.White, Williams (Hamilton 69), Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Modest 69), Webb, Diop, Connolly (H.White 46), Staley. Subs n/u : Richards, Rivers
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| Sunday March 1st 2015 |
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Ross Staley
consolation goal
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What can you say after such an embarrassing scoreline?
The last time we lost 1-7 at home was against Bedworth in 2001. Make noi bones about it, we were shit back then. We aren't now. Before the game there was talk of a win against Oxford taking us back up into fourteenth place. After the game the table just doesn't look at all pretty.
To be fair the omens were bad. I paid £2.50 for a programme and then dropped it into the urinal within minutes. It was a bad start to a bad day.
The team selection was very defensive for a home game, 4-5-1 and to go in 1-4 down at half time probably suggested that it didn't work. We only lost the second half 0-3 and we have goalkeeper Paul White to thank for keeping it to seven. We could've seriously lost by double that.
Ross Staley's glancing header which crept in at the far post saw us equalise within a minute of Darren Pond's unstoppable drive but Tom Winters leathered home an angled drive from the left hand side to put them back in front.
When has Winters not scored against us?
Within a couple of minutes of that goal they scored with a header from a corner, White stayed on his line when in hindsight he might've come out to claim it but what seemed the games turned point happened just before the break. Femi Orenuga was denied by a superb point blank save but really should've scored and they went up the other end and grabbed their fourth when no-one dealt with a centre across the face of goal before it was squeezed in from a narrow angle.
A change of formation at half time probably helped but it still didn't stop them scoring.
However it was the nature of all three goals, each one of them out of the top drawer which would raise concern. Each shot found the top corner giving White no chance and it could've been worse, they had one ruled out for offside too.
We simply have to improve. There are eleven games left and some of those are against better teams than Oxford!
City : P.White, Williams (Hamilton 69), Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Modest 69), Webb, Diop, Connolly (H.White 46), Staley. Subs n/u : Richards, Rivers
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| Saturday February 22nd 2015 |
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Billy Jones
scored again
Ross Staley
impressed
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A bit of a disappointing afternoon at Whaddon today with City struggling to create anything against a Colwyn Bay team who seem to have the Indian sign over them, having to eventually settle for a point thanks to another Billy Jones penalty.
Their 1-3 win in Wales in November was the last time that they'd won and when Obi Anouro glanced home a free kick midway through the first half it looked like it might be their next one.
The goal had come minutes after Lewis Hall had been crudely taken out of the game after running three quarters of the pitch by Mike Wilson's body check. Jones' free kick was stright out of the top drawer but hit the bar and bounced down but was cleared away to safety.
Whilst Hall went off nursing a shoulder injury the City fans were given a first look at new signing Ross Staley. He looked good, crossing early with his left foot. We haven't had many wingers who could do that over recent years. Now all it needs is for the strikers to read them!
City improved in the second half and were eventually rewarded when Tom Webb was fouled. It was a strange one because it was simply a kick, with the sound of the challenge accompanying it. Both players went to ground feeling the effects of it as the referee pointed to the spot, from which Billy made no mistake.
Femi Orenuga had a shot turned onto the post late on but some things in life are destined never to be. If Bay fail to improve they'll go down and we'll probably never have the chance to beat them again!
City : P.White, Hamilton, Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga, Webb, H.White (Connolly 88), Modest (Diop 55), Hall (Staley 36). Subs n/u : Richards, James
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| Colwyn Bay's Obi Anouro dances around as headless City keeper Paul White claims the ball |
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| Saturday February 14th 2015 |
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Chris Knowles
equalised
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A tremendous win for City at playoff hopefuls Chorley has seen City put a good distance between themselves and the dreaded twentieth place.
Former Halifax striker James Dean put the home side ahead early doors before Chris Knowles was in the right place at the right time to equalise after Jack Harris had headed against the crossbar.
The winning goal came with twelve minutes to play when Chorley defender Andy Teague put through his own goal from a Billy Jones set piece.
The small band of travelling City fans were delighted, even if Chorley manager !
City : P.White, Green (Modest 46), Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Connolly, Webb, H.White (Griffin 90+2), Orenuga (Diop 62), Hall. Subs n/u : Richards, Staley
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| Saturday January 31st 2015 |
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Harry White
brought down
Femi Orenuga
nutmegged keeper
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At 3.10 this afternoon what had been a home banker was turned on it's head when home debutant Sahr Kabba stupidly reacted to a shove from a Lowestoft defender and got himself sent off.
There was an aire of disbelief but acceptance as Kabba made the long walk back to the dressing rooms. Fear not though, the team from the most easterly point of this fair isle didn't seem interested in winning a football match and at no point looked like winning.
Harry White ran himself into the ground once his strike partner had gone off and deserved a goal for his efforts but only he will know how he managed to sidefoot over from inside the six yard box after Femi Orenuga had put the ball on a plate for him.
There was excitement as Tom Webb went into a crunching tackle and some might argue he could've been sent off. He was only booked but Lowestoft the winger did his best to earn him a second yellow when he went down holding his ankle like it had been snapped in two when Webby merely scratched an itch. Proper cheat that 11, he should be ashamed of himself and his unsporting antics.
White played a major part in the opening goal however when he stole a march on the Lowestoft back line and nipped in in front of the keeper who couldn't avoid blocking him. Only a yellow card though and the City fans were incensed. Fortunaltey Billy Jones was super cool with his penalty and surprisingly ten man City took a lead into the break.
Just under ten minutes into the second half the numbers were evened up when ponytailed Lowestoft midfielder Lee Smith on Chris Knowles.
It got better as Orenuga and the impressive Lewis Hall combied to turn a Lowestoft set piece into a counter attack which Femi finished by shooting through the keepers legs to double the lead. The T-End sang "I'll bet you wish you were sent off" as the goalkeeper had nowhere to hide from his monumental cock-up!
They offered nothing. The game was won with that goal and that usual incomftable half hour from just before half past four just didn't happen as the Tigers played the game out at a sedate pace.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Connolly 68), Webb, H.White (Diop 78), Kabba (s/o 10), Hall. Subs n/u : Richards, Griffin
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| It's a long and lonely walk for Sahr Kabba as he gets sent off against Lowestoft |
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| Tuesday January 28th 2015 |
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Paul White
misjudged header
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City : P.White, Green, Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Diop 72), Webb, H.White (Griffin 86), Kabba, Hall (Connolly 56). Subs n/u : Rivers, James
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| Saturday January 24th 2015 |
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Femi Orenuga
another penalty
Billy Jones
scored from spot
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Just two games ago there was a four point gap between City and safety. Two wins later we're easily out of the relegation zone. Life is like a pendulum at the bottom of the table.
New signing Sahr Kabba wasted no time in introducing himself to the City faithful, he opened the scoring with his first touches in just the second minute, however Hyde pegged us back with an equaliser just ten minutes later.
Both sides had goals ruled out for offside before Harry White forced the ball home on the stroke of half time to nicely bookend the half for Tim Harris' team.
Instant hero Kabba grabbed his second and City's third when he capitalised on a mistake from the Hyde defender who failed to deal with what turned out to be a perfectly weighted long pass from Sam Avery.
It got better as Femi Orenuga was fouled for the second time in two games to give City *another* penalty, which Billy Jones despatched with aplomb, that despite Kabba wanting it for his hat-trick. Didn't he watch the Everton game the other night?!
Four goals. Only the second time we'd recorded that scoreline this season, both away from Whaddon Road.
Did it matter that they pinched one back at the end? Nah.
Watch out Hednesford, we're coming to get you!
City : P.White, Green, Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Griffin 80), Webb, H.White (James 86), Kabba (Connolly 76), Hall. Subs n/u : Richards, Diop
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| Sunday January 18th 2015 |
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Femi Orenuga
won penalty
Nathan Modest
acrobatic finish
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"Penalty, Penalty, we're the famous Gloucester City and we've got a Penalty".
Not referring to our favourite mishap prone supporter, we actually got a spot kick, our first since the opening day of the season.
It came at a good time too, with City a goal up against local rivals Worcester City, because when Billy Jones coolly slotted it past Nathan Vaughan it pretty much meant that the three points were in the bag.
As well earned as they were it's written that we always beat Worcester isn't it!
Tim Harris men had taken the lead in the first half when Nathan Modest finished like an acrobat and new signing Femi Orenuga won the penalty, well, was stupidly scythed down by Vaughan giving the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Those three points put us back in touch with the pack of clubs chasing relegation now and a victory at Hyde on Saturday would be simply wonderful.
City : P.White, Green, Jones, Harris, Avery, Knowles, Orenuga (Connolly 86), Webb, H.White (Griffin 90+2), Modest (James 90+3), Hall. Subs n/u : Richards, Rivers
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| Nathan Modest celebrates his acrobatic opening goal against Worcester |
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| Saturday January 10th 2015 |
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Nathan Modest
sent off
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City : P.White, Green (Modest 82), Jones, Harris, Avery, Connolly, Hall, Webb, Griffin (James 66), Parker, White. Subs n/u : Knowles, Richards, Rivers
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| Joe Parker rounds the Gainsborough keeper but can't find a finishing touch |
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| Sunday January 4th 2015 |
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Jas Singh
farewell
Harry White
well taken goal
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Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not normally one to wank off over attendances, I believe that you can only affect a crowd by being +1 and bringing yourself. I know for a City the size of Gloucester ours are beyond appalling, this isn't about that.
Generally we have a decent travelling support, even when we're doing badly, which is more often than not the case at the moment, we took around about a hundred supporters to Brackley on New Years Day, that was after they brought maybe a quarter of that to Cheltenham a week earlier. No complaints there, they tried.
However, today North Ferriby brought no paying supporters. None.
We took a coach up there last season. They put no money over our turnstiles today. You'd think for a team with aspirations of Conference Premier football they'd have people willing to give a shit enough to follow them, but no, they're just a pointless bankrolled village team financialled aided by someone with too much money.
Other than the lack of support, there was a game on too. Young Harry White scored his first goal at home with a skillful turn and shot but the day was marred by a late, late equaliser when Jas Singh, with probably his last act in a City shirt was caught off of his line by a looping header that was bundled home after it had come down off the crossbar.
You could hear a pin drop in the ground.
City : Singh, Green, B.Jones, Harris, Avery, Connolly, Hall (Groves 82), Webb, Griffin, Parker (Modest 89), White (Lucas 71). Subs n/u : Richards, Hamilton
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| Harry White scores for City against North Ferriby today |
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| Thursday January 1st 2015 |
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Nathan Modest
booked
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City's fine record of winning every time they visited Brackley is over.
Ironically we've always won against teams supported by regular cheques from Allan Leighton, but now they've stopped we can't beat a supposedly weaker team!
Brackley scored just after half time when they broke away following an appalling corner kick. From defence to attack in a matter of seconds and Jas Singh was beaten by David Moyo's header.
It was a frustrating day as both Billy Jones and Nathan Modest picked up soft bookings and Charlie Griffin shot wide when it looked easier to score.
Crappy New Year!
City : Singh, Green, B.Jones, Harris, Williams (Avery 46), Miller (Connolly 46), Webb, Knowles, Griffin, Parker, Modest (Lucas 62). Subs n/u : Hall, White
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| Chris Knowles clears his lines at Brackley |
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Tiger Roar news streams from Oct, Nov & Dec 2014 can be found
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| Page last updated : 14th August 2016 |
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