CITY EXPRESS TRAIN DELAYED AT CREWE

CAFC U18s 2 - 2 MCFC U18s

by Andrew Waldon

The first academy fixture of the new year saw City's table topping
under 18 side fight out a draw on a poor pitch at Reasheath the home of
Crewe academy.

For some reason Crewe always appear to be a side City struggle against
at this level. For instance in this corresponding fixture earlier in
the season, although City ran out winners, Crewe battered us for a
large proportion of the first half and should have been five up before
we scored.

So with a number of regulars missing from the side, things did not
look good in the return fixture as the home side were awarded a penalty
on 28 minutes for a foul by debutant keeper Joe Clegg( something for
which he could have been judged as lucky to remain on the pitch for as
he only received a yellow card). Fortune remained on City's side when
the Crewe number 11 then placed the spot kick wide of Cleggs left hand
post, for a glaring miss.

Just before the hour mark City introduced James Poole for
Norwegian/Somalian Abdisalam Ibrahim and he had an immediate effect on
the game. His cross from the left was headed back into the six yard box
by Angelos Tsiaklis for David Ball to finish from close range for his
tenth league goal of the season.

Poole was then denied a futher goal scoring opportunity by the legs of
the Crewe keeper. With the home sides defence visibly wilting, City
pressed forward for the goal that would give them a comfortable margin.
Ball was unlucky to see a shot hit the the outside of the post with the
rebound falling to Poole and his return bringing out a good save from
the keeper.

Some what against the run of play in the second half ,a Crewe sub
equalised on 75 minutes only for Poole to restore his sides lead on 80
minutes.With time running out(only two minutes left of the game) Crewe
won a corner and both Clegg and new recruit from Belgium, Dedryck
Boyata contrived to miss their clearances and a Crewe player headed
home for a some what lucky equaliser to halt the City express train.


Team:
Clegg, Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee, Kay, Tsiaklis, Ibrahim(Poole),
Ball, I Daly(Morris), Weiss
Subs:
Hartley, Cieslewicz and one of the following..Brown, Varga , Paldan
(could not really tell as they were all sat on the bench and there was
no team sheet to confirm things)


The U16'S got their new year off to a good start with a 2-0 win.