Splashing display by Under 14s

It rained goals as City defied a downpour to beat Cirencester Town 9-2 and extend their unbeaten JPL run to five games in what was arguably their best display of the season so far.

Incessant drizzle throughout the game failed to dampen the spirit of the City squad who rose to the conditions with a dominant performance that was full of endeavour - their passing, movement and inter-play warming supporters and their coaching team on a cold, wet morning at Perdiswell, where the pitch held up surprisingly well given the conditions.

The visitors probably started the brighter as their forwards' intelligent running created a couple of opportunities from through balls - one of which resulted in a decent save with his feet by home Josh Reed-Jones.

These warnings weren't heeded and a similar breakaway was rewarded when the Cirencester player broke clear and unselfishly squared for his team-mate to slot home.

City weren't behind for long though as Harry Rebbeck pounced on a rebound from a Guy Collett shot to equalise - the start of an eventful morning for the young striker.

Collett was soon on the scoresheet himself as some superb combination play between Rebbeck and Jamie Neath set him up to rifle in from the edge of the box to put the hosts 2-1 up at the first break.

The home side were now growing into the game and creating lots of chances as good approach play saw the ball flash across the goal on several occasions. The City pressure was eventually rewarded when the Town keeper unluckily punched a Neath header into his own net.

After returning to the changing rooms to warm up and gain a brief respite from the rain, City were caught cold immediately at the start of Q3 when they conceded innocuously just seconds after the whistle.

However, as they did earlier, the hosts struck back quickly when Rebbeck nodded in a pinpoint Billy Owen cross to make the score 4-2.

The same players combined when Owen won a header on the halfway line and Rebbeck then capitalised on some indecision with some quick feet to dance through and complete his hat-trick.

With his tireless running and hold-up play, Rebbeck's strike partner, Neath, was having an outstanding game and nearly got the goal that his performance merited. His effort was superbly saved by the Town keeper but Rebbeck was 'Johnny on the Spot' to tuck home the rebound.

Moments later, Rebbeck was there again as the keeper failed to gather cleanly and he robbed him of the ball to score.

The City pressure was now relentless and it wasn't long before they notched the goal of the game. Owen held the ball up and delivered the perfect pass for the overlapping Sam Cotton to advance down the left and lift a delicious cross onto the head of Rebbeck.

Rebbeck benefited from some great play from Cotton soon afterwards to net his seventh when the full-back saw his shot spectacularly tipped onto the bar - only for the ball to drop to the free-scoring forward.

A great effort by every City player - including the two injured squad members who turned up to support their team in the rain. All can enjoy a Saturday off next weekend ahead of their next JPL fixture at Hereford on 9th November.