Appleton-Away

City Colts under-9s won their first game of the season at Appleton, winning 2-0. City's dominance was such that this scoreline flattered the hosts, who are a young, new team, still learning the ropes.

City gave them lessons in passing, movement, and defending, and two goals from Joe Mead were scant reward for the visitors, who eased into the third round of the cup as a result. Joe played up front, alongside another new player, Zac Gill, while usual striker Jason Crowder was played on the right of midfield for a change.

Both goals came during the first half, when the City lads were surprised to meet so little resistance. Such was City's control, that Dan Page in goal only saw action from back passes and the occasional goal kick. This was due in part to a fine defensive display from Alex White and Edward Spencer, who allowed nothing to get past them, but also due to the City midfield, which played high up the field, pressed the opposition and gave them little time to dwell on the ball.

City continued to assert their superiority during the second half, when they were desperately unlucky not to extend their lead. A long-range drive from Jason struck the bar and bounced down just in front of the line, while Joe was denied his hat-trick by a matter of inches as his angled drive beat the goalie and went agonisingly wide.

When the final whistle blew, the City boys celebrated as though this was the cup final, such is the rare joy of victory. To make matters even sweeter, the boys also won the follow-up friendly 1-0, with a rare goal from Charlie Digweed. Attached pic: New goalscoring hero Joe Mead on the charge

East Hendred-Away

Colts under-9s visited East Hendred for their first game back after the half-term break, but found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline.

After a fairly even opening period, the Colts went a goal down midway through the first half. It wasn't long before the City boys found themselves further behind, and heads started to drop. Jason Crowder had a golden opportunity to pull a goal back when he burst clear down the left and found himself one on one with the East Hendred keeper. Unfortunately, Jason's shot went just wide of the post as the rather large goalie came out well to narrow the angle.

The lads started the second half brightly, but without breaching the massed home defence. There was an anxious moment for the Colts when goalie Daniel Page made a brave save, but the ball struck his face and he had to be substituted. Edward Spencer replaced Daniel, and he had no chance with East Hendred's third, which effectively ended the match as a contest.

Despite the result, there were some positives for the City. Manager Steve Eeley gave a run-out to some new signings, who added some quality to the squad, and when they have bedded in will definitely improve the side. In the follow-up friendly, which City again lost, more new signings were played, including a new goalkeeper, and again the signs were good.

With further new players to come, it shouldn't be long before the lads get the win that their performances have deserved, and then the confidence should flood back into the players.

Goring Away Match Action

Jason Crowder bursts through, but sees his shot well saved.