Tough times for City

These are tough times for City. Not since their opening 3 games when they entered the Toolstation Western League at the beginning of the 2008/09 season have they suffered 3 straight league defeats. Although it’s fair to say that the Blues have enjoyed virtually continuous success since their arrival on the Western League circuit, their recent dip in form must be cause for concern. On Saturday, their first half display was full of zest, with a positive, attacking attitude being shown throughout the side. However, a double strike by the visitors just prior to the break saw Ilfracombe reach the rest period with a goal advantage.
City started brightly with Mark Randall and Jake Brown making some excellent runs down the flanks, putting the visiting side on the backfoot. Brown in particular was in excellent form throughout the afternoon and gave his marker a torrid time with a man of the match display. Driven on in the heart of the midfield by Steve Sokol and Ross McErlain, City attacked at will and never looked like the side that had underperformed against Hallen the week previous, and during the midweek defeat at the hands of Radstock.
Jamie Howson went close after 10 minutes with a snapshot, and visiting keeper Steve Oliver did well to keep out a sharp effort from Brown.
City deservedly took the lead on 20 minutes after a period of constant pressure. Mike Edmonds did well to create an opportunity for himself, and his powerful drive was only parried by Oliver into the path of the alert Brown who smashed the ball into the roof of the net from just outside the 6 yard box. City were bossing the game and looked comfortable at the back, with keeper Ben Dancey a virtual spectator. However, the game was turned on its head when Ilfracombe struck twice against the run of play leading up to the interval. In the 43rd minute, a deep cross from the left found Craig Allen lurking at the far stick, and the striker out jumped Josh White for probably the only time during the contest to send a looping header over the outstretched arms of Dancey.
With only seconds remaining of the half, Citys woes multiplied as Allen turned sharply to score with a neat finish at the near post following a corner kick from Steve Holland.
From being a side full of confidence and enterprise during the opening period, City wilted after the break as Ilfracombe took control. On the hour, the North Devon side appeared to have a good case for a penalty when Holland was upended as he was about to shoot, but referee Bob Abrams waived for play continue. The visitor, however, made the game safe by scoring a third, minutes later. Steve Sokol pulled back Mark Clunie just inside the D on the edge of the box, and the midfielder took his revenge with a sweetly struck free kick which found the top left hand corner of the net, giving Dancey no chance.
City had one final flurry, and Brown was rewarded for his enterprise down the right flank when he was clipped inside the area, presenting Howson the opportunity to reduce the arrears from the spot, but the strikers effort was brilliantly turned around the post by the diving Oliver.
The missed opportunity seemed to sum up City fortunes, and although the Blues showed signs of getting back to form with a good first half performance, the play during the second period fell well short of expectations.