reserves - creditable performance

[charlies dad 0]

I braved the cold wind and snow last night to take peek at the reserves. Just for once it was a good decision. A very strong line up took on a young Chelsea with pretensions of becoming the next Lampard, Drogba Duff, Crespo et al. With Jarrett (yes, Jarrett) very prominent in the opening stages, it was no surpeise when a city attack ended in Fisk being tripped in the area, giving the ref a simple decision. Mckenzie, clearly up for a night of fun with the kids, slid home the penalty. Cuse sick looking Chelsea ''fans'', for whom this particular development was not scripted. City then tore into chelsea with one touch pass and move football, (honestly, im not making this up), and a left wing move ended with Mckenzie squaring for Ryan Jarvis to slide home the second. Cue delirious chants of easy easy from the home faithful. Chelsea then profited from 2 huge deflections before half time, each nestling past Gallacher in the city goal, 2-2.  After city appeared to lose a bit of steam, had we celebrated too early? Chelsea started well in the 2nd half, hitting a post and drawing some good saves from Gallacher, as well as some accomplished defending from Shackell and Spillane. Then for the last 20 minutes, City re-assumed control. After electric work by Eagle, Al-Ourgui missed a close range header for the winner. Final score 2-2. Very big plaudits for Colin! Jarrett! Charlton! Henderson! who clearly wanted the result more than their counterparts, strong displays too from Spillane and Shackell, a rugged and mountainous centre back pairing.     

[ZLF 335]

Cheers Charlies Dad - good to hear that the reserves looked good and up fo it.  

 

How did Ryan and El Ourgui look and was there any of the chelsea players (particularly right midfield) that looked like they would be worth taking on?

[macdougalls perm 0]

This sounds great for the club, nice to have a bit of unspun good news for a change. Cheers CD.

[gazzathegreat 0]

Hi Zipper

I too attended the reserve game last night and although the result should speak for itself, I have to say we were worth a win.   Ryan, in fact all of them were up for it.  Playing particularly well in the first half was JJ.  Yes, really.  Leon looked v fired up and Shacks was commanding and looked comfortable.  He was ably assisted by Mike Spillane (they both look a v good future CB partnership IMO.  El Ourgui was good when he came on, looking to make runs into the box.  Yes, it was a reserve game (and Chelsea had sent a good youth side, not however a patch on the Spurs youth team of a few weeks back).

It was encouraging to see us play some passing stuff, Charlton being a good provider in the first half. Gallagher made some good saves and this was a good test for him, also for us to see what he could do.  Ryan and Rossi combined v well at times. 

All in all a huge improvement in the reserve team fortunes.  Only spoilt by having to endure lots of Chelsea gloryhunters moaning that they didn''t recognise anyone on the pitch  [:)] 

 

[charlies dad 0]

Thanks folks. It really was just a good night to forget about politics and enjoy 14 lads in yellow and green looking like they meant business. And, yes, chelsea had a very good number 7, who had a real battle with Rossi Jarvis.  Full credit to them all, Jarrett, and Colin in particular, both of whom put in a very good shift.  

[Budgie 0]

I applaud you, Charlies Dad - and the other 4507 souls who turned out.

What some other football teams would love to have an attendance like that for a first team game!