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Tuesday 17 September 2002 - The Moorlands - kick off 7.30pm
Dr Martens Premier Division
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| half-time: 0-0 |
result: L0-1 |
attendance: 243 |
| team: |
Bryant, Bennett, Trought, Thorne (c), Kemp, Rollo, Milsom, Harvey, Eaton (Wilmot 53),
Cleverley, Williams. subs not used: Hervin, Horgan, Minturn, Sam Allison. |
| man of the match: |
Dan Cleverley |
| scorers: |
none |
| bookings: |
Bennett (79) |
| officials: |
C Henry (Northampton), K Morgan (Stourbridge), K Morris (Hereford) |
| league position: 12th |
form: LLDWLL |
next match: Chelmsford (H) |
City suffered their second away defeat in the space of three days in the cruellest fashion as a 92nd minute Moor Green goal
sent them back down the M5 empty handed. And the defeat was even harder to bear after they had dominated the game, particularly
in a one-side second half, however their failure to turn this control into clear cut chances cost them dear in the end. With the
home side struggling to contain Frankie Bennett City had always looked the likelier side to break the deadlock but even
with a corner count running into double figures they couldn't find a way past Rachel. And even on the one occasion the keeper
was beaten the crossbar came to his rescue.
City's starting line-up saw one change from the match against Hinckley - Paul Milsom replacing Gary Horgan
in the midfield - and from the start they looked a different team to the one that had performed so poorly against the Knitters.
The opening 15 minutes saw City force six corners but it was from open play that they should have taken the lead. A neat build-up
after 12 minutes sent Dan Cleverley clear but he cound only find the side netting. He also shot high over the bar from another
opening nine minutes later. Jim Rollo was then denied a shooting chance on 21 minutes by a good block from Faulds. Having
weathered this storm Moor Green began to come into the game more. After 33 minutes Faulds and Blake combined on the edge of
the City box and the former sent a left foot shot towards the top corner of the net only to see Mark Bryant turn it behind
with a brilliant finger tip save. The half ended with City on top again - Eaton forcing a low stop from Rachel with his shot from
18 yards.
Playing down the slope in the second half City continued where they left off. Rachel was again in the action - saving at the
feet of Bennett on 49 minutes - but could only watch as Cleverley's 56th minute shot flew past him before crashing against
his crossbar. Having had so little to do it was not too surprising when a momentary laspe in concentration at the back almsot
cost City dear. Mike Trought's poor header allowed Lamey to run at an exposed Gary Kemp. With an unmarked Meyers in the
middle a goal looked certain but the substitute choose to shoot and dragged the effort well wide. This woke City up and another
spell followed where they laid siege to the Moors goal. Unfortunately, the final pass or shot was poor and a deserved goal
continued to elude them. Another poor pass, this time by Wilmot, in the 80th minute left Martin clear on goal only for Bryant
to produce a well-timed block. As the game reached it's closing minutes City finally created a great chance to win the game.
Rollo beat the offside trap and Rachel but failed to get enough power on the shot and Petty easily got back to clear the
danger. This appeared to be the final opportunity and the game was destined to finish goalless but with 92 minutes on the
clock a deep right wing cross from Stanley allowed Petty to head the ball back across goal. There Faulds' attempted shot
found Lamey and he fired past Bryant. The stunned disbelief of the players and City's travelling fans was clear and there was
barely time to restart the game before the referee ended proceedings.
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