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What's the gossip at Oxford City? Check it out below.........
13th March 2000
City beat Staines
Following such a poor result last week against Chertsey, the lads were under more pressure than normal to perform against Staines at home on Saturday, and although it was hardly a vintage performance, the 1-0 win and the attitude of the team will surely give the manager and the players some level of satisfaction.
Staines are a good side throughout and are rightly in the top five of our league. However, City were in no mood to let them over-run us and walk off with maximum points. The game was close for the full 90 minutes and the only goal of the game came in the middle of the first half when from a goal-kick, the Staines centre-forward won his header on the half-way line but send it flying back towards his keeper, but Stewart McCleary was stood on the edge of the box - (miles off-side had a City defender won the header!) - and calmly lobbed the keeper. The linesman stood there with his flag up, the Staines defence stood there arms raised and the Staines management went mad. However, the ref went over to explain who had headed it and there could be no arguing after that.
The second half saw most of the game played in City's half, but good team-work and stout defending saw a clean-sheet maintained.
Man of the Match - Richard Peirson.
6th March 2000
Useless City
City put on another abject performance away at bottom club Chertsey at the weekend losing 2-0.
It probably hasn't helped them too much as I think they are more or less down, but a poor display by City ended with the players not receiving their money after the game as the manager was too disgusted to pay them.
Few could have many complaints about this - and after the training session we had tonight, I don't think that the manager has calmed down yet! Balls were not a part of the session!
Things have to be sorted out, and quickly, hard games lie ahead - starting with a visit of Staines this Saturday - and we are not entirely free from the relegation dog-fight yet.
Oxfordshire Senior Cup
"What a surprise!!" - if it wasn't to be the final, City had to get drawn against Witney Town, this time in the semi-final to be played in March at Thame Utd's ground.
I say it had to be, because of the increase in acrimony between the two sets of clubs - well, Chairmen. As reported in The Broadsheets section of this site - Witney were fined by the FA £200.00 for making a second, and illegal, approach for Terry Morrisey.
It was felt by Witney that City acted in a way to raise the issue with the FA when a more common-sense approach might have avoided them incurring the fine.
I do not know the ins & outs of it all, but once again, the wranglings of people "higher up" means that the players end up battling all the more harder (if that's possible against Witney!) because of an atmosphere caused completely out of our control.
Some old links between the two clubs add flavour as always with this sort of local derby - their manager, Andy Lyne, managed City around 1986 when I first played for him and Ian Rundle down at the White House Ground.
Former players include Jason Caffel, Keith Knight and Gary Murphy - that I know of in their team. No doubt there are more connections, but I haven't seen who's in their side lately.
For us, we have got Tate Hulbert and Shaun Wimble who signed this year from Witney.
So a friendly kick about can be expected.....
Chairman's Comments
I must admit to being reluctant to include text from "higher up", but I think it might be of interest to some people who can't make it to games to see what the Chairman sometimes adds to the programme notes.
This one features comments made about Terry Morrisey and Witney Town's status in non-league football.
Click here to go direct to the page.
24th February 2000
Season over?
The mini-revival that City had enjoyed of late seems to have proved to be a false dawn following two disappointing weeks. We have been knocked out of two cup competitions, both at quarter-final stages, and we have lost our last two league games to Grays and Maidenhead, both at the top of the table to leave us in a "comfortable" mid-table position.
It was felt that if we could get something out of the two league games against the top sides (and Bromley on Saturday), and with our games in hand we could mount a decent challenge to frighten a few people on the run-in. However, it now looks as if we only have the Senior Cup against Witney to look forward to and the rest of the season to play out.
Saturday against Grays, we looked comfortable and only a mistake by Julian Dark was the difference between the two sides. BUT, Tuesday night against Maidenhead we looked poor by anyone's standards. I haven't uploaded the match report to the site yet, but it compliments Maidenhead on being classy and having a stroll to a victory. Not exactly accurate reporting, but we were swept aside in the first half and never looked dangerous until near the end - but to play a match and compete for 30 minutes is not going to get us anywhere.
All we can do now is play for our places and salvage a bit of pride. Hopefully causing a few upsets along the way and building for a decent, consistant promotion drive next year.
17th February 2000
Penalty Frustration
City were knocked out of the Ryman League Cup on Tuesday in the mud at Barton Rovers losing 2-1 on penalties. Once again there was hardly anything to chose between the two sides and a stale-mate seemed on the cards.
Defending the slope in the first half City dealt with all that was thrown at them and in fact had a couple of clear cut chances that weren't snapped up. Shaun Wimble and Danny Wise both coming close. Changing ends meant City were going down the slope, but didn't seem to have the same feel as the first half and went behind to a soft goal on 55 minutes when a shot from outside the box squired under Alan Foster in goal.
This spurred City into a bit more life and the game turned into a real cup match - end to end stuff. The pitch - which isn't reknowned for being a good one at ANY time of year - turned into a mud-bath with all the rain and made passing almost impossible and dribbling a joke. Both sets of players were made to look stupid trying to move the ball on it.
Desperation set in as time went by and Richard Peirson was pushed forward for the last fifteen minutes, the gamble paid off when on 87 minutes he headed home Shaun Wimble's cross to send the game into extra-time - only after Foster made a great point-blank safe a minute after the equaliser.
Extra-time was end to end again with tired legs getting players forward, but not able to track back, which really opened up play - but for all the huffing and puffing another goal wasn't forthcoming.
By now, I think all the players had had enough and just wanted to get into the warm and have a shower. City won the toss and elected to take the first penalty. Richard Peirson hit his low to the corner and the keeper made a fine diving save. The Barton player blasted his over the top. Tate Hulbert saw his saved with another fine dive from a well-placed kick. Barton sub missed the goal completely. Garry Smart drove straight down the middle to score, Barton equalised. Matty Whitehead saw his saved, and Barton scored again. Finally, Shaun Wimble hit a good kick that this time was answered by a flying one-handed save to see us lose 2-1.
As disappointing as it is to have lost in the last two cup matches after good runs, a degree of satisfaction can be gleamed from the performances against both Croydon and Barton as they are second and fifth respectively in our league. Both these teams we met earlier in the league and were swept aside. Hopefully, we have improved enough to beat them in both our next league games at home on the run-in.
16th February 2000
Bishop's Beach
City recorded their third league away win in their last three games overcoming a strong and physical Bishop's Stortford side.
The game going ahead was in doubt as Stortford have got serious problems with drainage in their pitch and a huge amount of sand has been used over the majority of it to try to make it playable.
The usual "beach" and "buckets and spades" jokes were voiced, but this is a serious problem and worry for Stortford as there is no way that good football can be played - it turns into a farce after fifteen minutes.
The match was a great result for City, as for the first twenty minutes they were battered by the Stortford side and it was thanks to good fortune, great goal-keeping and desperate defending that the scores were kept level.
Two goals against the run of play and a much better second half saw City through to gratefully pick up three points to move them further away from the danger zone.
Read the match report in The Broadsheets and count the puns!
Injury Blow for City
Captain, Matty Hayward, is out for a couple of weeks following the disappointing Trophy game at the weekend.
He limped off after half an hour and it has been established that he has stretched his knee ligaments.
I spoke to him at training last night and he is obviously down to be missing games, but is confident that with good treatment from our physio, Chris Perkins, it should only be a few weeks that he is sidelined for.
Luckily City have replacements for his position and Richard Peirson has recovered from his recent injury and bout of flu that knocked him for six over the New Year.
Manager Paul Lee is spolit for options now, as Andy Smith has also been in at centre-half, so if both Thorp and Peirson come in then Smith could be pushed back to midfield.
But I am still just a player - so what do I know about what will happen with the team on match days?!?!
Injury Blow No. 2
Justin Lee suffered heavy bruising and swelling in his ankle and was taken to the JR Hospital for precautionary x-rays after being stretchered off near the end of the match against Worceter.
A late and unnecessary tackle caused the problems, and having spoken to Justin today he is hopeful of a return in a few weeks time if he is lucky.
Justin has a history of injury with breaking his legs a few times and this latest injury has moved one of ten pins that he has in his legs....let's hope he's back soon.
So long, farewell....
The first player to leave this season is Nigel Emsden, who has joined local rivals, and high-fliers, Thame United.
Nigel has struggled to figure in Paul Lee's plans and has made only a handful of appearances, mostly from the sub's bench, and has been promised first team football with Thame who look to bolster their push for promotion.
Hopefully Nigel will have more success and a longer run in the first side at Thame, and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him the best of luck from myself and all the players.
4th February 2000
Senior Cup Match
City overcame strong resistance in their quarter-final Senior Cup tie against Worcester College Old Boys on Tuesday with a 4-1 victory.
However, City didn't have it all their own way and only scored three goals in the last twenty minutes after Worcester had equalised from a first half Terry Sweeney goal.
Read the match report in The Broadsheets.
Late Sickener
City felt hard done by on Saturday surrendering a one-goal lead with practically the last kick of the game against Uxbridge - this kick coming in the twelfth minute of time added on by an appalling referee.
Check out the News and Updates for the report and also The Broadsheets for the match reports for Barton Rovers and Romford which have just been added.
31 January 2000
Later Equaliser hits City
Uxbridge scored in the twelfth minute of injury time on Saturday to earn a 1-1 draw at Court Place Farm. It was a great disappointment for City who defended brilliantly for the whole second half against another gale force wind after going ahead from an inspired free-kick from Shaun Wimble. It was a bitter pill to swallow and made all the worse by an arrogant referee who has no place in non-league football.
Please do not think this as sour-grapes - when all said and done - Uxbridge probably deserved the draw and were equally frustrated by the erratic, rude and ignorant man in black in the middle of the pitch. I understand we was being assessed and it is the second time this year he has caused us problems - let us only hope that the assesser makes a right report and this ref is banished to Sunday football for eternity.
The first half City played with the wind at their backs and in truth didn't make the best of it and squandered possession and it was a half that passed by without much incidence. Paul Tassell, in for the suspended Alan Foster, had a solid game in goal and made a fine flying save to claw out a well struck free-kick from the edge of the box.
The second half leapt into life in the 51st minute (I had 50th minute on the "goalden goal" - gutted!), when a free-kick right on the edge of the Uxbridge box was awarded and while the keeper was lining up the wall, Shaun Wimble quickly side-footed home and his quick thinking was awarded with the ref allowing the goal to stand. Few Uxbridge players complained as they realised it was clever play from Shaun. Uxbridge spurred on by this and with the wind at their backs battered against the City defence which held firm and when they did get in twice were denied by good saves from Tassell.
As time ran out and deep into the injury time another corner was swung in and was flicked on at the near post and found its way in at the far post for Uxbridge to be delighted - a minute later the game ended.
City's dressing room was one of great disappointment as two very valuable points had been snatched away at the death.
24th January 2000
Second away league win in two games
A fine team performance earned City three very valuable points in an extremely competitive and nerve-wracking game at Romford at the weekend. As expected the pitch played a major factor, it was terrible, through no fault of the groundsman who had at least worked on it to get it flat - but with the rain that had obviously been heavy, all his work was undone after five minutes and players, their boots and kit were caked in mud. Added to that, a gale-force wind straight down the pitch didn't allow either keeper to get their kicks over the halfway line when against it.
The match was very much the cliched "game of two halves" - City, with the wind at their backs, dominated the first half and restricted Romford to one half chance that didn't trouble Foster in goal. Captain for the day, Andy Smith, had a fine match and led by example throughout, opening the scoring after only four minutes with a trademark late run into the box to head home a cross. Many chances fell City's way as the home side struggled to get out of their half, Smith mis-directing a header and Tate Hulbert trying a chip when clean through and not getting under the ball which just dinked up into the keeper's hands, when a powerful drive would have been a better option. City's second goal came when Shaun Wimble's corner late into the half was nodded home by Richard Peirson at the near post.
The second half was against the wind and City found out very shortly why Romford were unable to get out their half - it was extremely strong and the whole match was played in City's half which was made harder, when a mix-up in the defence allowed Romford to score after 55 minutes. This led to an onslaught on the City goal, cheered on by a noisy crowd, good chances fell to Romford players, but a mixture of desperate, determined defending, good goalkeeping and some good fortune saw City not concede another goal. The cause wasn't much helped by a panic throughout the side where composure and discipline was lost, and Justn Lee was forced to leave the pitch 10 minutes to go follwing a blow to the head which caused a mild concussion, after all three subs had already been used, knocking us down to ten players - enabling Romford to have a free reign of the pitch - a better side would have crucified us on another day I am sure.
However, the team held on and were very pleased to hear the final whistle and trudge off the pitch.
Climbing up the ladder
The win at Romford, only City's second league away win of the season, moved them up a couple of places to 15. The importance of the result was stressed before the game, when Romford were in fact only 1 point behind us - this result however leaves them in a perilous third from bottom position. Things are so tight in the league though, and another couple of losses would take us straight back down into the relegation dog-fight. But with games in hand, it would be hoped that we can build on these two games and progress further up the table. It would be nice to emulate the Wealdstone feat last season and win the last 16-odd matches. (Don't correct me Wealdstone fans - I know it was loads of games unbeaten.)
More Cup matches
Barton Rover visit us Tuesday 25th January - 7.30 ko - in the League Cup quarter-finals. We also play against Croydon in the "other cup" quarter-finals, and we have been paired against Worcester College Old Boys at home in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup to be played before the first week of February. This is the game that I am really looking forward to, I am good friends with the manager and I know many of the players - two of which played for Oxford City Youth side in 1985/86 - Russell Irving and Matthew Elbro. Other players in the team I played against or with as a boy or in Sunday League sides, when I was still up to playing two matches in a weekend! Obviously the friendships will not exist for an hour and a half on the pitch!!
21 January 2000
Romford Match
The players have a huge task to bounce back from Saturday's defeat in the Trophy with a visit to Romford tomorrow.
I hope that people from Romford won't take offence when I say that this is one of the fixtures that you simply do not look forward to.
The pitch is the main concern and is not condusive to a quality, passing game. The players do not give you time on the ball and battle from the word go, not letting up for the ninety minutes.
If there was to be a test of character and team-spirit for City, then this is it. The added spice to this game is that Romford have slipped into the bottom three, but could catch us if they win and bring us back down after we moved up four places following our win at Leyton last week.
21 January 2000
Utter crap!
City crashed out of the FA Trophy yesterday is spectacularly pathetic style.
A performance that had no merit whatsoever ensured that a 5-1 drubbing was dished out by a very poor Burnham side.
City were second best throughout and could have no complaints and deservedly were slated and berated by the manager at half-time and full-time.
I am at a loss to explain how we could put in such an abstract and dire performance and what is more surprising is that the players in the team are paid money to play and people pay money to watch them - refunds should have been handed out to the crowd afterwards.
A report on the match - for what it is worth - is in the News and Updates section and the press report is in The Broadsheets.
Pure Self-Indulgence
Please forgive me, but this is what was written in the Harrow Borough programme for Saturday's FA Trophy match, and I stress that it wasn't written by my mum!
"On the World Wide Web with....OXFORD CITY"
"Oxford City may be in the Ryman League Division One, but their website belongs in a much higher echelon. Since starting my column, it is the best site that I have reviewed.
The site is a high-quality production benefitting from external sponsorship. It contains a plethora of news and updates, fixtures, player profiles, history and club information.
The site is an entertainment throughout, and well worth a visit."
16th January 2000
Gutless Performance
Jekyll and Hyde City produced and spineless display to be dumped uncerimoniously out of the FA Trophy against a poor Dr Martens side - Burnham - 5-1. Knowing full well that they would be a strong and physical side before the game and what would be required to beat them, too many players didn't come up with the goods - shirking tackles, running round at half and three-quarters pace, lacking urgency, strolling around like posing peacocks whilst getting bundled off the ball and not fighting for a victory that too many expected to be gifted to them.
It was a day to forget and an off-day for too many players to mention, however, it can't be dismissed as a one-off, as it has happened too regularly this year. A sloppy opening saw Alan Foster make a fine one-on-one save, but then he became villain 15 minutes later when a deep cross was headed home from six yards out with Alan rooted to his goal-line when he was expected to come and collect or punch the ball away.
Burnham scored their second when Julian Dark's clearance was kicked straight to a Burnham player who crossed and Alan was given no chance with a clever chip. City pushed forward but didn't look convincing in front of goal, even though half chances were coming thick and fast, but the Burnham defence showed what team-work is all about charging shots and crosses down with great determination. The game was finished as a contest with almost the lastkick of the half when again the City defence were all over the place and the Burnham centre forward went through (yards offside), Alan caught him as we went round, he tried to keep his feet but couldn't score in the empty net and the ball ran out of play - the ref called the game back, gave a penalty and sent Alan off.
Justin Lee took the gloves but couldn't stop the penalty. The second half was better in that City created more chances and kept the ball for fun - but none of the chances were buried. The fourth goal was from a corner and then from a Matty Whitehead corner we scored ours, bundled in by Andy Smith (I think), only for ten minutes to go, another off-side decision went against City and the nap-hand was completed.
Most of the crowd had left before the final whistle, which is probably why there weren't any boos as the players left the field.
The players need to have a look at themselves and decide what they want from their football at Oxford City, because this season has been a wash-out and with the players and quality that is at Paul Lee's hands there is no way that we shouldn't be doing better that we currently are doing. The level of commitment, team-work and consistency is not good enough.
11th January 2000
High fives for City.
About time too......the embarassing record of not winning away from home so far this season was finally sorted out in emphatic style with a 5-1 win over Leyton Pennant at the weekend. The scoreline could have been heavier in City's favour such was the one-sidedness of the contest and on this form, Leyton look like they could be struggling to maintain their presence in the league. Dwaine Strong will receive the plaudits with a fine hat-trick, but with goals from Stuart McCleary and Tate Hulbert, the forwards had a clean sweep. The only two black marks to an otherwise enjoyable afternoon was Stuart and a Leyton player being sent off after about 20 minutes, and the own goal by Andy Smith in the last minute or so - it is always important to keep a clean sheet and the manager moaned about the lack of concentration all round the defence, not just Andy.
Stuart's sending off was unnecessary as it was on the advise of the linesman who just saw the two of the players shoving each other - had a punch been thrown then a red might have been justified, but it was just a couple of shoves which a yellow card each would have calmed them both down.
All in all a pleasing result which will hopefully set the team up for the FA Trophy clash against Burnham on Saturday.
7th January 2000
Full Squad
Tomorrow's game at Leyton Pennant sees a full strength squad travel - after training last night, all seventeen "first team" players were named.
City are still looking for their first away win of the season in the league, and Leyton is not a place that you want to go to with that sort of record - however, the players know that if things go right on the day, they can beat anyone - just things are happening at the minute......
Basement Blues
Two truly poor performances over the Xmas and New Year break have kept City rooted in amongst the relegation contenders at the foot of the table.
The one that hurt the most was the result at Thame, going down to three first half goals - one after 40 seconds - and losing the game 3-1 in spineless fashion.
Whytleafe on Monday 3 Jan was, in part, a better performance as in the first half City were in control, but once again, a lack of fire power in front of the visitors goal cost them dear.
Reports from the papers will be added, apparently, an independent report on the Whyteleafe game makes very interesting reading......
