City 1 Truro 1

[Rijs]

I hadn't seen us since Chelmsford so I was impressed with the improvement since Justin took over team affairs again and brought in the United loanees, all of whom played well today. As they know each other they also link up nicely and this helped us play some pleasing football at times, especially in the first and last quarters of the match. Early on the ball was zipping across the wet surface but City controlled it well and dominated play. Giles probably should have scored after 6 minutes when presented with a gaping goal and the keeper out of position; he chose to hit rather than place the ball and it crashed off the crosssbar. To be fair, he did have a defender putting him under pressure. Then James Roberts was put through by some neat passing and might have scored himself if he had slipped it past the advancing keeper, but chose to pass across to Mike Fondupp instead, who scored but was ruled offside.

We have let in unnecessary goals all season and that was the case again today with the Truro corner and header. I don't think Jack really had to make a save all afternoon apart from that, but it was not his fault. Scott Davies clearly blamed Freddie Grant. I couldn't tell whether it was Freddie's fault--he wasn't the one marking their full back, after all-- but I didn't like to see our captain giving a youngster both barrels like that. I thought his job was to encourage his team, not to bawl them out and swear at them. In fact I thought Freddie did well on the whole. He is quick and brave, puts his head where it could get hurt and his body on the line. He will learn quickly if he keeps his place for a run--and if he isn't demoralised by negative comments. Robbie Cundy is also learning with every game and Jordy Ngathe had a good first half. This is a young team with a lot to learn but it is, as Justin promised, hungrier. Roberts is going to be good I am sure, but he does need to control his temper a bit--the yellow today was quite unnecessary. He was just getting frustrated.

Scott did make up for it a bit with a good penalty after our best move of the match put Josh Ashby in and he was brought down. The ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. But overall the ball didn't run for us today. We had the possession and a few chances, kept their goalkeeper busy, but our finishing let us down, and too many of our crosses were near the keeper.
Still, plenty of promise to encourage us today in a good team performance.

When are we going to get a Saturday when we don't have United at home on the same day? That is knocking 30-40 off our attendance every other week at the moment. You'd think fixture list creators might think of something like that.

[hedges]

Excellent write up and I agree rijs.

We should have won as we were much the better team, Truro had 1 chance and they scored from it. We are looking far more like the City we have experienced of the last 2 seasons and trying to get the ball on the ground and passing it about. If we can keep the kind of tempo`and passing game up. hopefully before the pitches get destroyed we can drag ourselves up.

Biggest disappointment today was our finishing, blasting onto the bar with the goal gaping was bad, but Fleets chance was even better at the end, he rounded the keeper just SLOT IT HOME. but chose to pass to Issac who was running the other way and despite his best effort couldn't toe poke it home.....I think it showed the confidence level in front of goal.

Slightly worryingly it was confirmed later Connor and Eddie have both been released so we now only have one out and out striker.

On a side note I thought the ref was poor. He tried to let the game flow at some stages but then pulled it back for the lightest of touches at others. Then one player clearly abuses the ref and gets away with it, then another does the same and gets booked. No Consistency at all. The penalty was laughable. stood a couple of feet from it and it was a brilliant tackle from the defender. The ref was blind side and the Lino should have helped (obviously not complaining) and on the balance of play a point is the least we deserved but would have been fuming if we had conceded that pen based on what I saw.

The match was followed by a very productive supporters meeting more details of which will be posted shortly.

[fromthestands]

Agree with alot of what was said above.

The Oxford Loanee's look fantastic. I think Freddie came into his own more when Kynan came on and they both worked well together with Freddie overlapping. I think that Kynan drifting inside a bit more gave Freddie the opportunity to get outside him and together they were an absolute nuisance. Scott having a go at Freddie for the Corner was more frustration to once again giving away an unnecessary goal. He was saying that Freddie should have left his man and attacked the ball rather than just letting it run past everyone until being attacked near the penalty spot. These things happen and to be fair after dominating the game completely and yet again conceding another silly goal it's understandable that frustration boils over.

Scott had a great game i think. He was back to his best, i think he's been caught up in trying to carry the team himself over the past couple of games which has dragged him into trying to hit 40 yard passes every time he gets the ball. The loanee's have strengthened the side and he was back to dictating the play in the way that he does best.

Fondupp was quiet but you can see he must be a pain to mark and he's big and strong. Give him game time and he'll guarantee you goals. The ref wasnt the best but he was pretty bad for both sides. All in all i think there's alot of positives to take into Tuesday night, im looking forward to it.

Development won 10-0 and all the Ladies sides won on the Sunday so was a good weekend for the Club.

[Mark Neal]

Have to agree with said comments so far. Big improvement in space of a week, the new loanees from Oxford United have given us new energy and are fitting into the way Oxford City try to play football these days. I thought Freddie Grant had a good game, energy and endeavor of Giles from midfield was present once again just like at Bath. I thought we dominated the match, tested there keeper on several occasions and should of scored at the end. The chance in the first half that fell to Giles smashed against the upright, placement and that would of gone it, but easier said than done when the ball coming in at pace and quickly hitting it. The Roberts chance when he passed to Fondop was another one, perhaps Roberts short of confidence would of had a go himself. Hopefully we see more of Issac and Winters in coming games as i think they could link up very well with the loanees and Freddie Grant at wingback. Anyway promising signs on the field and look forward to Maidenhead United tomorrow evening at Home. Be good to see alot of Oxford United fans there to watch there talented loanees in action, i have tried sharing on social media, OUFC FB and forum pages to get them to attend. C'Mon the Hoops!

Good turnout to our 2nd supporters club meeting, 18 in attendance, all singing from the same hymn sheet, interested in club affairs and want to help the club as much as we can. Top stuff!