City Reserves tough encounter at Littletons

City Reserves lined up as follows:
Sean Dayus, Max LePoidevin, Ryan Mole, Nathaniel Nisbett, Callum Harper, Tom Allen, Ryan Upson, Joe Clarke, Matty Patrick-Rivers, Myles Simpson, Aaron Brett Subs: Jacob Keane, George Patey, Jack Baker.

City worked hard in a tough first half and it was a battle rather than a game of football. Both teams struggled on the solid pitch to get the ball down and play and much of the approach play was via searching balls and attempts to breach defences with long passes in behind.
City took the lead via a twenty yard drive from Aaron Brett on 9 minutes and then had a couple of chances to go further ahead whilst at the other end, Dayus made a smart save and Mole cleared one off the line.
City were caught out on 30 minutes when they didn't track a runner into the box and when the through ball reached them they fired home the equaliser from 10 yards.
1.1 at half time and honours even.
The second half was a strong contest with both teams showing robustness and City beginning to get the ball down and play some more football from the back and in to the opposition half.
Littletons hit the post when clear in the box and Brett had a shot well saved as did Patrick-Rivers.
Patey came on for LePoidevin, Keane came on for Simpson and City continued to press as Littletons hit on the counter. Upson came off and Baker came on and City continued to battle and harry without creating anything clear cut.
The game became end to end and at the final whistle neither team had managed to find another goal.
1.1 was the final score in this pre season friendly. Lots of learning points for City and some positives in their fitness and endeavour for sure. Of the 14, 2 x 16 year olds and 7 x 17 year olds took the field in this young and developing Reserve squad.
Nigel Upson