City v Sheffield Wed 2-1
F.A.Cup Round 3 replay
January 16th 2007 att.25,621
So City went through to round 4 to face Southampton at home after a tough battle against their Yorkshire opponents. Whilst the Owls brought nearly 6000 supporters with them the home section of the ground was full of empty spaces despite the low prices. The game was on the television which might have kept some supporters at home but I wonder whether the lure of the FA Cup is dwindling. This was City's 6th unbeaten game since the home debacle against Bolton so one would have expected a better crowd. Still the vociferous away support gave the game plenty of atmosphere
Team
Weaver 6.5: Richards 6.5, Dunne 7.5, Distin 7, Jordan 6.5: Sinclair 6.5, Barton 8, Ireland 7.5, Dabo 6:Vassell 7.5, Corradi 6.5 (Samaras 6)
City made one change, Jordan coming in for the injured Onuoha
The visitors were first to attack and Richards had to be smart to check this raid down the left.
Wedensday had to clear a corner early on but the visitors were not going to be overawed by the occasion and put the City defence under pressure.
Richards was kept busy heading clear or covering an opponent under the watchful eye of the linesman.
After 21 minutes City had a good chance when Vassell was sent clear by Ireland. The veteran Sheffield keeper was quickly off his line and blocked the shot.
There was a return of the bananas in one section of the ground
McLean tried to break for the visitors but Dunne is about to tackle.
Goodness me ..is that Jordan in the opponent's box
After 35 minutes Vassell had a really good chance with a 1-1 with Crossley but once again the City striker was denied.
Another City corner is cleared.
Dunne tries to block a Burton shot
Vassell was proving a problem for the visitors defence with his endless energy Shame about the finishing touch.
Weaver was thankful to see this shot from Brunt go just wide
Just before half time Barton fed by Corradi broke away down the right with Tudgay arms outstretched realizing the danger
Barton continued his run and as Crossley came out to meet him Joey squared the ball to the unmarked Ireland who virtually passed it onto the goal to give City the lead. It had not been a great half and perhaps Wednesday were rather unlucky to be behind.
The lead did not last for long. Four minutes into the second half a free kick was brilliantly headed on by Bullen and over Weaver to make it 1-1.
After 53 minutes Vassell had yet another 1-1 with 37 year old Crossley who was injured in the encounter. Bullen is pointing out to Vassell that he is likely to be reported to Age Concern for the clash
After a short break and a drink ( hope it was not alcoholic) he recovered just in time to pick the ball out of the net. Immediately after the incident Corradi set the ball up for Vassell...................
........ to fire the ball into the back of the net and give City the lead.
It was a good strike ....but about time after all the earlier misses.
City were getting well on top and Barton was here there and everywhere
A great late tackle by Ireland foils a Wednesday attack
One of the reasons why Corradi has so many fouls given against him. He often goes up with an elbow in the back of an opponent.
Crossley in action again as City try to make the game safe.
Dunne heads clear to keep the City goal intact.
Weaver and Richards combine to foil another attack
Richards defends from Tudgay
Richards demonstrates a new low diving header technique
Samaras - on for Corradi - just shoots wide and in the final moments Glen Whelan saved a certain City third by kicking the ball off the line with Crossley beaten.
A close game that should have been easier with better finishing.
City v Southampton 3-1
F.A.Cup Round 4
January 28th 2007 att.26,496
After the poor performance against Blackburn this was a much better effort albeit against Championship opposition. In the Cup the job has still to be done and whilst Southampton well placed in their division tried hard and had a fair amount of possession in the end City had more class and won comfortably. Dunne and Ireland had really good games. As did Barton and Vassell . Ireland is now really looking a Premiership player and may be just the creative influence in midfield that Pearce has been looking for. Vassell has taken a leaf from Dickov, worrying the opposing defenders and showing a fair turn of speed when necessary. His finishing is improving too. Barton's alround influence which was missed against Blackburn was well in evidence and he may even be given an England cap in the future friendly against Spain. Dabo gave mixed messages. Still a little slow his long passing was Ok but his insistence to dribble out of situations in the last third causes problems.
The crowd was poor again. the stadium being only half full. However a good run in the cup will bring back the waverers.
City made several changes. Barton returning from suspension and Sinclair absent through suspension. Beasley made a rare start and Samaras was preferred to Corradi.
Vassell was soon giving the visitors defence plenty to think about.
Davis in the Southampton goal was first to see some action and whist his first effort was an easy catch he was fortunate after six minutes ............
Team
Weaver 6; Richards 6.5. Dunne 7.5, Distin 7: Trabelsi 6.5, Barton 8, Ireland 8, Dabo 6, Beasley 6,5: Samaras 6 (Miller 6) Vassell 7.5 -
Hamann and Abdoun not long enough on the field to give a mark
........when he saved bravely from Vassell and the ball ran dangerously loose before being cleared.
Man of the moment - young 17 year old Gareth Bale who is the subject of 10million pounds bids by several clubs spent a few early moments flat out on the ground! - looking up to see if he would get a free-kick! I would cut out that bad habit now lad!
After 14 minutes Weaver was almost caught out when a long range shot from McGoldrick bounced awkwardly- but Nicky managed to paw it away for a corner
City had a problem clearing the resultant corner
Distin made one of his rare attacking excursions into Southampton territory but with little support the attack came to naught.
After 23 minutes City should have scored. Ireland broke through and passed to Samaras...........
...... who failed to beat Davis from close range. Davis made along clearance and in two ticks the ball was in the back of the City net with not a City defender in sight!
It did not require the services of CSI Miami to unravel the mystery. Weaver having a moment of madness had come tearing out of goal and Jones was able to lift the ball over his head into the empty goal.
However Vassell who was in the thick of the action was soon to put City level......
......receiving the ball from Trabelsi who had beaten 'wonder boy' Bale he swiveled and cracked a great shot past Davis City were level 1-1
City were eager to add to their success and Vassell was brought down by Skacel but Barton's free-kick came to naught.
After 30 minutes a Samaras header landed on the net
Two minutes later the Southampton goal had another narrow escape when the ball was cleared off the line by Bale and then a run by Barton was just foiled but City were not be denied.
Just on half time City took the lead. Ireland who at last is looking the part, put the ball through for Barton to crash it past the helpless Davis. A well worked goal and City went into half time 2-1 in the lead and for a change the team got cheers rather than boos when they went in for break.
After the break Southampton tried to get onto level terms with runs by Jones and Rasiak the latter only being denied by a last gasp tackle by Distin
The game was becoming more stretched and Samaras had an effort saved by Davis after 58 minutes.
Gareth Bale caused City to keep a watchful eye on him and you could see he has a good future for Wales.
Weaver had to be alert to punch clear a Southampton corner and Dunne was always in the thick of the action. Indeed he played an important part in City's third goal. From defence he launched a great long cross field pass to the unmarked Beasley..........
....... who just had to beat the Southampton keeper and almost walk the ball into the empty goal
City were 3-1 ahead with 20 minutes to go and it was looking comfortable for the home side.
8 minutes later Ireland almost made it 4. Only an outstretched hand prevented the stylish City midfielder from putting his name on the score sheet
It was becoming more comfortable for City and with the game now very open there was every opportunity for City to add to their score.
We had our first look at new signing Abdoun who came on late in the game. He was not on long enough to form an opinion.
Just before the end Ireland almost scored and at the other end Bale had a good effort saved by Weaver.
So City will now face Preston North End in the next round. Preston managed by ex City player Paul Simpson will be a tough nut to crack but better opponents than some I could name. A chance to progress further I think.
