July 2005-2006
Macclesfield Town 1 Manchester City 1
July 16th 2005 att - almost full (according to the P. A.)
The City defence had little to do in the first half with only the odd corner to clear
Town clear another City corner
Such was the substitution farce that we ended up with 2 no 14's and players who had gone off earlier came back on!
My last visit to the Moss Rose ground was over 40 years ago when I refereed a game between Macclesfield and Ashton U which the home side won 9-2 on a freezing December afternoon . My notes at the time tell me that I was suffering from gastric flu and Ashton played one short! It was also the debut of Frank Bowyer ex Stoke City star. On this hot summers day I doubted whether that scoreline would be repeated and I did not expect the dramatic SWP story about to unfold.
I arrived at the ground early and whilst chatting to a steward noticed the City players come onto the pitch to take in the surroundings. Among them was SWP who did not appear to be 'ill' at all. Thirty minutes later Stuart Pearce came and sat on the bench to make a lengthy telephone call. Although SWP had been earmarked to start the game it was the cause of some consternation among City supporters that he did not appear for the pre-match warm-up. It was only after the game when the news of SWP's 'illness' and request to speak to Chelsea that the significance of the above picture came to light. More at www.rtfract.com/city2006.htm
Newcomer to City's colours was trialist Yasser Hussain from Qatar - pictured left. 23 years old he was recommended by City favorite Ali Benarbia. Officially on the books of Al Rayyan he has been playing for Al Sadd.His father played soccer for Egypt and he has helped Al Sadd reach the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions league
By the time the teams came out there was a huge contingent of City supporters and there were still many outside waiting to get in the ground
City got an early shock as Sommeil went to sleep to let in Jon Parkin who broke through to shoot past De Vieger to put the Town one up after just 2 minutes.
Karl Bermingham took the eye in the early exchanges with his attacking play
City equalised 5 minutes later. The move started on the right with Willo Flood and the ball broke to Ireland who shot at goal
The keeper parried Ireland's shot and Hussein was at hand to push the goal home. A Good start to his debut.
2 minutes later City nearly went ahead but Fettis saved from close range from Distin.
It was mostly one way traffic as the Macclesfield defence managed to keep City at bay
No Stuart Pearce on the bench today. He was watching from the stand- arrowed
Bradley Wright-Phillips showed some nice touches but I still have doubts about his finishing at the higher level
Star turn for City in the first half was trialist Hussein who showed a variety of skills - his passing, dribbling, tackling ( yes tackling) and general football awareness was first rate and I would be amazed if he did not get further chances. In the second half he switched to the right for a time so this ability to use both wings would be most useful. Surely a must signing!
Though City used the flanks well one weakness was the quality of the crosses. They were often too high and easy for the defence to clear
The Town keeper Fettis is kept busy with the City attack who fail to find the net
Yasser Hussein again tormenting the Town defence
Is this what call close marking?
The scene at half time as City's second half side sort out their shirts.
More close marking!
A header about to be saved by the keeper
Another City attack is thwarted by the keeper
Young Kasper Schmeichel had very little to do in the second half
Ishmael Miller from the Academy is a very big lad and he had a run out in the send half.
Eventfully Hussein was substituted and he got a terrific reception from the City faithful,
Stuart Pearce was having very quiet game in the stand but I knew he couldn't go a whole game without the odd gesture or instruction
Miller on the ball
Along with Ireland, Karl Bermingham looked very promising
Kasper Schmeichel kicks clear

The news of SWP's imminent move to Chelsea rather took presence over this game with Macclesfeld Town. The positives were the form of Hussein and promise of Ireland and Bermingham. As I put the finishing touches to this page news of the transfer for 21 million of SWP to Blue Russia came through. Still it could have been worse - it might have been Glazer United. Now Pearce can start to replenish his attack and initial news is that Andy Cole is on his way.
Oh my ... can't wait for that! He's 34 this year
Biggest laugh of the day came when the poor PA announcer ,who had problems with all the substitutes, announced that the attendance was........almost full!

Back to Man City
Back to CITY 2005-2006
Stoke City 1 Manchester City 2
July 30th 2005 (att. 6,000 estimated)
James: Sun Jihai, Richards, D'Laryea,Thatcher: Sinclair, Ireland, Reyna Musampa: Vassell, Cole
About 2000 or so City supporters braved the trip to the Potteries for this friendly with Stoke City. It was my first visit to this compact newish stadium. A rather sparse programme (without squad numbers) compared with the one from Macclesfield the other week and the lack of a PA announcement of the teams did not help first impressions. However when the PA came on at half time it was unintelligible and so loud it might have been heard in Iceland. No wonder it was not used before the game the amount of decibels would have attracted every noise abatement officer within miles. It was a good viewing ground however.
City gave a debut to new signing Darius Vassell from Villa and Andy Cole was also upfront. It was good to see Sun Jihai back from injury and City youngsters Richards and D'Laryea were in the centre of defence. Young Ireland was in midfield so it was an experimental side in many ways. Good to see Sinclair back in action too,
David James spilled a shot from Junior but managed to retrieve matters with a bit of help from a defender.
Steve Simonsen in the Stoke goal had little to do apart from a good save from Musampa early on
The first half was pretty boring with neither side making good scoring chances. Reyna was hardworking as ever and Musampa was causing a few problems but Cole and Vassell were pretty quiet.
City new signing Darius Vassell
This City chance from a corner just going over the bar
City's new signings on the ball
Simonsen manages to save from Ireland
Another save by the Stoke keeper to keep City at bay
Stoke City keeper catches the ball from corner. City must improve their corner kicks .We waste so many
Cole and Duberry battle for the ball on the right wing
Having conceded a goal in the 52nd minutes when Dyer headed home a cross from Henry, City looked like going two down when Russell broke through and was upended in the box by Sun Jihai who was sent off as the last defender.
Stuart Pearce ( yes , I know - he's in a suit) and Wrigley watch in the stand - calmness personified - as David James dives to save the penalty kick taken by Dyer.
After 72 minutes City equalized. A bad mistake by Brammer let in Andy Cole who crashed the ball with his left foot past the Stoke keeper to the delight of the City fans.
Andy Cole shows his delight at scoring and if he keeps this up he will win over City fans questioning his signing so late in his career.
City although now playing with only ten men had gone up a gear and James had less to do
Kiki Musampa in action
Kiki Musampa looks pretty fit and had plenty to do. Was unlucky not to have scored early on.
With just ten minutes to go, Bradley Wright-Phillips who had come on for Vassell broke down the right after exchanging passes with Cole and crashed the ball into the Stoke net.
So a possible two nil defeat had turned into 2-1 to the delight of the big City support for this friendly. This goal will give BWP a lot of confidence which he needs. The red card for Sun Jihai means he will miss the start of the season -pity. James did well to save the penalty but spilled three shots which should have been cleanly saved. Sinclair looked fit and raring to go. Reyna got through a lot of hard work in midfield. The young central defenders Richards and D'Laryea looked fairly comfortable but their habit of passing to each other across the penalty area may have dire consequences in some situations. Musampa started as ended last season which is promising. Cole is scoring ,,lets hope he keeps it up. Ireland showed some nice touches and is coming on well. Vassell showed some speed at times but needs more time with his colleagues. Time will tell whether the two million was well spent.