City 5 Concord Rangers 0

[Rijs]

The sparse crowd were treated to some lovely football this afternoon and it was all coming from one team. The Beachboys may have started unbeaten but within a minute they were behind and from then on, City dominated completely. It's hard to tell whether it was City playing supremely well or Concord playing poorly, but they didn't offer much resistance and I doubt whether City will get an easier three points this season. They were all quality goals and three from debutants. Gerald Muchchetere had a dream start and looks an exciting prospect for a 17-year-old, with quick feet and seemingly a knack of being in the right place at the right time. Today will have done wonders for his confidence. Klaidi Lolos looks a class act and is likely to hurt even some better defences than this; beautiful control, trickery, pace and a willingness to shoot are matched by his ability to put in great crosses when playing out wide. It was good to see Jean-Baptiste Fischer getting on and even in his short appearance score a fine goal, largely thanks to a superb assist from Reece Fleet and a well-timed run, but it was also a cool finish. And yes, I did think we could have had a penalty when Lewis Coyle was brought down; we have seen them given before and there was a contact.

The other debutants, Tom Harrison and Lewis Miccio, looked composed, solid and willing to work and get forward, so in many ways this was a perfect afternoon's work and a very pleasant distraction from all the grim news out there at the moment. The only downside was the low attendance -- hardly any made the long trip from Canvey Island, and of course United were at home and some people are on holiday, so we can expect this gate to rise, especially if City continue to play like this.

Weymouth away next week - now that should be interesting...

[ChrisB]

Thanks for that Richard...sounds like there was only going to be one outcome from that game and that there are some exciting 'finds' in the squad this season.

Yes, I hope the gates pick up, they only dipped once below 400 for a league fixture last season, but, as you say, good football and positive results ought to ensure that.

Concord's balanced summary of the contest is HERE.

[joao]

Why was Joe Iaciofano not among yesterday's related?

[Rijs]

I don't know and thought it strange myself. Ross did say in his interview that he had decided to rotate his squad for the Chippenham game and then thought he would stick with that choice even though it was postponed; more rotation is likely with two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend. But we would have thought Joe would be on the subs' bench, so maybe he was injured or unavailable for some other reason? Either way, it's good for players to be kept on their toes by competition for places, even in a small squad like ours, and it gave Gerald his chance. No doubt Joe will be back before long - he is too good to be left out completely!

[Padz]

Joe sustained a groin injury at St Albans, looking at 2 weeks out I believe

[Rijs]

Thanks Padz. Let's hope it's no longer.