C3 vs City Life

For the City Life band of brothers the final league fixture of the season against C3 turned out to be a bit like finding a toenail in your sausage roll. Not quite the tasty encounter we were hoping to enjoy...

After drawing the competitive first game against C3 just two weeks ago City Life were realistically looking for a win to secure second place, with a possibility of winning the championship (mathematically anyway). The fantastic achievement of third place was already guaranteed.

Once again biting northerly winds came down from the Arctic

Yet again it was a bitterly cold day and with a wind affected pitch it was not going to be easy for either side. City life lined up with Dave and the impressive Luke up front, Mark and Colm in the middle with the speedy Jo on the right and equally quick Ian on the left. The dependable defence remained unchanged with Richard, right back, Sam and fantastic Faz in the middle, cool Phil left back and the legendary Dick in goal. C3 appeared to field a strong line up although the influential Quentin was missing.

The game started in a very similar fashion as before. C3 despite playing against the wind started strongly, controlling possession and determining play. However the defence seemed able to deal with the ever present danger and Colm and Mark doing their best to win the midfield battle soon started to turn things round to CL's way. City Life then started to find their rhythm letting the ball do most of the work and beginning to enjoy the wind advantage. Looking to break the dead lock CL pressed forward and when a good bit of build up play broke down outside the C3 box Ian had enough time to look up before thumping the ball goalward only to see his effort crack against the crossbar. Not long afterwards good work from Jo on the right saw him cut inside the fullback and break into the box, his squared ball was met by Luke who struck just inch's wide. This was city's best period and encouraged by the near misses they continued to push forward. Mark also found himself in space in the box but saw his shot fire wide. Then CL were awarded a free-fick a good thirty plus yards out, Faz stepped up and although assisted by the wind hit a fabulous effort which needed equally good reactions from the C3 keeper turning the ball round the post for a corner. Not long before half time Dave did well to turn with his back to goal only to see his shot go wide. However despite these chances C3 continued to look dangerous and CL needed Dick to stay on his toes. Fortunately for CL though their chances weren't as clear cut.
Half time 0-0.

And so once more into the breech my friends.... forty five minutes remaining of the CL season and all was to play for especially as news had reached us that Shelford were losing...

C3 had obviously had a few choice words said at half time by their manager Paul as they started the second half like the team that had won last season's league. CL failed to cope with the wind and looked uncomfortable on the ball. It looked like CL were going to regret not getting a goal when they had the wind advantage and If they were hoping C3 would let them off the hook they were mistaken as, C3 started to make CL sweat with several corners.

However after starting slowly CL started to fight their way back gaining more possession and again starting to play football. A great ball from Mark found Ian on the left who broke into the C3 box squaring the ball to Joe, it looked like a certain goal but for a last minute sliding tackle from a C3 defender, turning the ball behind over the bar. Another attack later on broke down with a late challenge and the referee awarding a CL free kick. Unfortunately this struck the wall and quick movement from C3 saw them three-on one in the CL half. It looked like for a moment that Richard had done enough on his own to disrupt the attack but the ball broke loose inside the box and was pounced on by a C3 player who struck it firmly into the top corner to make sure. The importance of the goal was plain to see on the faces of both CL and C3 players. C3 1 – 0 City Life

C3 again started to play with confidence and it was going to be difficult for CL to turn the game round. Not long afterwards a CL attack broke down with vain appeals for hand ball. C3 once again broke swiftly and decisively squaring the ball inside the box before making it C3 2 – 0 City Life. CL were well and truly on the ropes, Adam was brought on as a third striker as CL went to three at the back. Sam who had been doing an excellent job marking C3 danger man Darra now

Much to our dismay it was the CL net that got the battering in the 2nd half

played alongside Faz and Phil. CL lacking confidence and perhaps their shape were now being pulled around the pitch by C3 and with only ten minutes left they got their third, a quality cross into the box was met by an equally strong header from the previously man-marked darra. C3 3 – 0 City Life. It was all over and if CL could have thrown in the towel they probably would have. Unfortunately for CL, C3 were feeling less than charitable and a poor clearance from CL lead to the final and painful fourth goal.
Full time C3 4 – 0 City Life

City Life to their credit walked off the pitch with heads held high and although it had been a disappointing afternoon it has been a fantastic season, finishing third and with the cup still to play. It's not quite full time yet.

Dave Halse, 16/03/2006