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FIRST DEFEAT OF THE SEASON

ST LUKES FC 2

CITY FC VETS 1

J Harris

The second match of the season against St Lukes ended in a disappointing defeat for City. The hastily arranged fixture took place, effectively, in the back garden of a dentist’s surgery in Ramsgate.

City were at an immediate disadvantage due to the precision planning of Mark ‘Google Von Heir Flick’ Kidd. Text message and emails flew around the ether like enamel from a dentist’s drill. Venue co-ordinates were transmitted and the team descended upon the ground with the accuracy of an American missile in Afghanistan. It was all too easy. Only Steve ‘cub scout’ Jones had difficulty, but there was no surprise there! He can’t co-ordinate his feet, let alone map directions.

St Lukes fielded a strong side with City missing a couple of regulars. Dave Yates was jet-setting around the world and Andre Manouche was last seen carrying a Lidl shopping bag in Wincheap. Steve Woollcott, yet again, had bigger fish to fry…working in a chippy we’re told.

Canterbury started the game strongly and for the first 20 minutes controlled possession and looked threatening. Mark Wilbourn and Ian Cockerell bossed the midfield bursting from deep to create mayhem in the opponents defence. Matty Banks had a shaky five minutes, but was covered by the excellent Craig Loomer to make amends for his bloomer.

Joe Harris nicked the ball off Fred McCormack’s toe to shoot just wide and the attacking pair looked intent on making life difficult for the defence. St Lukes adapted well, tinkering with their formation to bring an extra man into the centre, nullifying City’s threat. Nevertheless, when St Luke’s struck their opening goal midway through the first half, it was most definitely against the run of play. As the

half wore on their defence became more and more comfortable. Fred and Joe were beginning to feed off scraps and the big Scouse fella was being knocked and buffeted all over the place, but the referee showed no sympathy leaving him somewhat frustrated.

Heir Flick’s trusty left boot wasn’t firing as it normally does and one of City’s best weapons didn’t bear fruit, but at right back, Dave ‘long in the tooth’ Read was able to feed Nick Saunders on the wing, which looked like the greatest threat. However, the game was rapidly turning into a midfield scrap with precious few clearcut chances being created by either team. Darren Lynch marauded down the left with his usual purpose and strength.

At half-time both teams retired to the dentist’s waiting room and, in truth, there was little that could be changed by Nick Saunders to wrestle control back. Steve Jones was introduced into the fray, which was the slice of flair that City needed. His twinkle toes began to flicker like last years Christmas lights and 10 minutes into the second period he danced like John Sergeant to the edge of the box, putting Joe through on goal. Last season’s top scorer finally opened his account for this year rifling a left footed shot through the despairing arms of the keeper high into the net. 1-1…game on.

City struggled to build on this though and, in fact, it was St Lukes that pushed forward from this point. Julian ‘the flying fish’ Whately pulled off a couple of magnificent looking saves. They were actually quite easy, but he is very good at making the simple look spectacular.

Fred continued to work gallantly ploughing a lone furrow up front, as Joe dropped deeper filling in to help out Graham ‘Robo Right back’ Lunn.

St Lukes capitalised on some poor defending, when Ian lost the ball in the centre circle and the defence failed to clear their lines effectively, leaving Julian stranded only able to pick the ball out of the net.

City pushed on again, but in their desperation were toothless going forward, unable to create the opening to grab what would have been a deserved equaliser. It was a good combative game, but there was to be no crowning glory for Canterbury.

Team: Julian Whatley, Dave Read, Mark Kidd, Matt Banks, Craig Loomer, Ian Cockerell, Mark Wilbourn, Nick Saunders, Darren Lynch, Fred McCormack, Joe Harris.

Subs: Graham Lunn, Steve Jones.

Goal: Joe Harris.

Assist: Steve Jones.

Man of the Match: Fred McCormack.