Bluntisham vs City Life 29/01/06

An introduction to City Life FC
It seems but a mere coincidence that in the bi-centenary year of Horatio Nelson's victory over the Spanish Armada that City Life have the opportunity to sail to championship glory in the Cambridge Church League. But here we are sitting at the top of the league with only four of our league fixtures remaining. Last seasons champions C3 and Shelford are very close behind with games in hand and the season is climaxing with a genuine three-way finish. To add to the tension, a fixture pile up has meant that CL face C3 in their final two games. It seems ever likely that the title will be decided one way or another on the last day of the season.

This achievement follows on from last season when CL finished fourth. What’s more remarkable (if my memory is correct) is that this was the first time we finished outside the bottom two. The team is currently in a very healthy state, with new and newish faces joining the CL community. The addition of Phil, Mark, Loz, James, Richard, John, Luke and the return of Joe and Mus has meant that CL hasn't needed to rely on 'outsiders' to make up the team and this certainly wasn't the case at the end of last season (admittedly injury's were a factor). This, alongside the revolutionary and somewhat controversial tactic introduced by manager Sam Goodall of mid week practices (Thurs nights, Chesterton Community College) has meant CL have the necessary championship credentials.

However...
Years of underachievement have left CL short on swagger and despite the current position some CL players seem to have the sort of self belief that frankly only Paula Radcliffe could be proud of. There is with only four games left, perhaps not surprisingly a bit of anxiety and the feeling that it all might end in tears. To put this matter right CL need to win the next two fixtures against Bluntisham and the Rock to set up the mouth watering final games against C3.

Top against bottom should have produced plenty of goals.

'Blunty', relative new comers to the Cambridge Churches League, are the Teddy Sherringham of the CCL. They play intelligent football but haven't quite got the legs (although my girlfriend would disagree... er on teddy not blunty). CL have had favourable results against them in the past and were looking to take all three points.

Bluntisham vs City Life

CL started with a 4-3-3 formation. The mighty Dick (the cat) Boulton in goal and usual mean defence consisting of the stylish Richard Hill at left back, centre-backs of ugly Sam (Gaffer) Goodall and Mike (call me 'Faz') Farrington and the classy Phil Butterworth at right back. Adam Cullingham (the Carlton Palmer of CL) was holding midfield with the dynamic Loz Tunnicliffe and the bruising Colm Fannaghan in the middle of the park. Up front was CL veteran Ian McLaughlin, silent assassin Dave Halse and wonder boy Luke Cathie.

Let’s kick some leather...
City Life started brightly and quickly, controlling the game and gaining large amounts of possession. Phil and Richard, in particular, enjoyed attacking runs down the flanks and created good linkup plays with CL's forwards. On 10 minutes the break though came. With poor defending from Blunty, the ball was flicked on from Luke and 'fell' (his words not mine) onto Ian's foot, who stuck it home from six yards. This eased CL’s nerves who continued to enjoy a lot of possession but were unable to net another. Luke came closest striking the bar from close range.
Not long before half time Blunty won a free kick just outside the box. Some complacency in the CL defence meant that they had to be rescued by a crunching challenge from Colm, that the referee saw, probably fairly, as over zealous and awarded a free-kick. With only one goal in it CL breathed a sigh of relief when Blunty's free kick delivery was poor.
Half time 0-1

The second half led to a change in formation with CL reverting back to a traditional 4-4-2. Adam being pushed into the unfamiliar role of striker with Dave and the introduction of Mark Plane, the Ronnie Whelan, of CL replacing Luke on the left wing. Unbeknown to CL, Blunty also changed from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2, this had the affect of creating a lot more space in the middle of the park which worked to CL's advantage.

With the change in formation CL pushed their position forward with Ian and Mark causing real problems down the flanks and Loz in midfield able to carry the ball forward with biting runs. On 50 minutes the second goal came, a great run from Sam saw him cross it from the right which Dave latched onto before dancing passed the keeper and slotting it home. Shortly after, some more tireless work from Ian, again down the right, saw a neat cross to the front post. Adam anticipated the cross and slid in to turn it home. Adam was unlucky not to get a second when after being put through he saw his attempted chip of the keeper cleared off the line but quite frankly the sooner FIFA introduce goal line technology the better. On 60 minutes Mark put matters to rest. Superb running from Loz found Mark on the edge of the box. He showed an unforgiving streak as he made space for himself and struck the back of the net. This was now four and CL were able to relax a bit and enjoy their football, Blunty's heads also dropped a bit making the last half an hour fairly stress free for CL. To make matters worse for Blunty, CL introduced Joe Laycock for Phil and his fresh legs and turn of pace continued to pile on the misery for Blunty. CL were able to push forward fairly freely and on 70 minutes a great piece of play from Mike saw a beautiful

Sam, Ian and Adam. A goal each...."Unbelievable".

chip over Blunty's defence met with an equally beautifully timed run from Mark. Leaping like a salmon, he rose against a hapless keeper to nod it into the empty net. Five minutes later and with a raw hunger for his hat-trick Mark rose to meet a sublime cross from Dave on the right and he forcefully headed it into the corner of the goal. Loz keen to get on the score sheet himself was prevented only by the width of a goalpost after yet another attacking run. Now into the last ten minutes a corner from Mark caused Blunty problems and a delighted Sam was able to stick it home from the six yard box to make it a magnificent seven. However it wasn't over yet, a weak shot from Mike (some said pathetic) was pounced on by Dave who coolly slotted it home past the stranded keeper.
Full Time: Bluntisham 0-8 (eight) City Life

All in all it was an extremely professional performance, although not as testing as previous encounters. Tireless running from Ian, Colm, Loz and Joe in the second half meant CL could keep pressurising Blunty for the full 90. Equally the defence were creative and cool enough to play their way out of any trouble. Dick who had little to deal with helped the team keep its shape, composure and discipline.

These are exciting times for City Life F.C, and there is no reason why we can't continue to play football with the creativity, courage and intelligence that we have shown all season.
Bring on the Rock!

Adam Cullingham.

Dave Halse, 31/01/2006