Comfortable Opening Pontins League Win

MCFC Reserves 2 – 0 WFC Reserves

City’s return to the Pontins League after a brief spell in the 80’s gives the opportunity for the older academy player’s chance to play regularly against older professionals as these lower league teams field a good mixture of first teamers and reserves as they do not have academy status and so with limited squads have to field more senior players.

City’s players had to toughen up pretty quickly as Wrexham were not afraid to put the boot in and get quite physical, but City failed to be intimidated by these tactics.

The final shoreline was a fair reflection of the game as Weaver was only really tested once where as Michael Jones in the Wrexham goal was the far busier keeper.

I think the really refreshing aspect of the game was the form of Daniel Sturridge, who apart from a pitiful display at Hyde United has performed really well in pre-season and now last night. Make no mistake, this lad is still light years away from a premiership place, but he is heading in the right direction, and for someone who is still yet to turn seventeen shows some great skills.

Other players to shine were Kelvin Etuhu and Shaleum Logan on the right flank, where nothing got past Shaleum and Kelvin caused their defence all sorts of problems and provided the inch perfect forward pass for Sturridge to score from..

Although Ishmael Miller provided the cross for Sibierski’s goal, he on the other hand had one of his poor game’s, but that may be to the fact that he was playing left midfield, which on the form he show’s in that position should never be thought of for a first team place.

Another disappointment is Nedum Onuoha who clearly needs to reduce his size, he has bulked up far too much and his movement has become far too laboured, fans are deluding themselves if they think he can go straight into Distin’s shoes at present. I liken Nedum’s frame to the Birmingham sprinter, Mark Lewis-Francis, he has gained more muscle than he needs and so consequently cannot even crack 10.2 seconds for the 100 metres.

If Sibierski was attempting to put of any suitors for his services, he was doing a fair job as his passing and movement were appalling and he new nothing of the goal he scored.

City’s next opponents are Chester away next Wednesday, where I expect it will feature a younger profiled team.

Although City travel to Ireland after the Bank holiday for the friendly, both reserve games against Liverpool and Rochdale away are still scheduled to go ahead.


City: Weaver(GK), Logan, Williamson, Onuoha(Capt.), M Mills(D’Laryea 19), Johnson, Etuhu(Grimes 69), Williams(Marshall 82), Sibierski, Sturridge, Miller.

Subs: Matthewson(GK), Moore.

Att: 207

MotM: Sturridge – scored again and was a constant threat up front with some good creative passing as well.