1st half (R-L): Duke (Aspden); Thelwell Byron Delaney Dawson; Fagan Andrews Fry Dyer; Parkin Duffy.
The first half side started strong, but faded. Neither Duke nor Aspden had a save to make, but we didn't make a lot of chances after a bright opening. We had plenty of opportunities to deliver the ball in, but failed to do so well enough. Duke was replaced around the 20-25 minute mark after a clash with a Ferriby attacker. It didn't look serious. The defence was very steady. Byron looks a prospect. He's very composed on the ball and defended ably. Delaney's distribution was back to hopeful. Dawson supported well and got stuck in. Lloyd Dyer didn't have a good game. He's quick, but not clever enough or tricky enough. Fagan was excellent. He makes something happen every time. He consistently roasted ex-Tiger Mike Price. It's easy to see why PT wanted him on right wing. Parkin hasn't lost weight. On closer inspection, he's certainly as bulky. He wasn't much more mobile than last season, but did enough on the floor. The service in the air was poor. Andrews passed well, as he always does, but didn't have enough influence, nor does he shoot when he has space and time to do so. No wonder he never scores. Duffy was always dangerous, even if the service never came.
Chances were few, Fagan had a shot blocked by Price and Byron had 2 cleared off the line, 1 header and a toe prod. Duffy flashed one just wide after a great move started by Byron coming out of defence and ending with Fry sliding a lovely ball into Duffy. The deadlock was broken just before half time. The Beast controlled in the box and from a tight angle, turned and lashed a shot into the roof of the net.
2nd half (R-L): Myhill; Lynch Collins Turner Matthews; Brittain Green Welsh Elliott; Burgess Paynter.
Like Winterton, a much better second half. In part due to fatigue in the opposition, but also to good attacking play. Myhill had more to do, a few catches and dealing with a deflected cross. His kicking was woeful, 3 or 4 times he kicked straight into touch. Lynch played well going forward, supported the winger and played 1 or 2 good passes. Turner was very strong and calm, a lovely second impression! Collins is your average 4th Division defender. Mohan-esque but with good aerial ability. Young Matthews was much better than Wednesday, even at left back. Calm in possession, strong in the challenge and got forward to help Elliott - impressive.
Welsh ran the game again, showing a lovely array of passing. Green was poor until he scored, and then started to make runs and try flicks and passes which was a big improvement. Elliott was Elliott, frustrating but dangerous. Brittain showed the same form, always trying to cross from the line. He ignored others, he's pretty single minded and it's effective. Paynter had a good game. He's a strong boy, great touch and linked play well. Burgess was mixed, he's very unfit but had some good touches. His one great chance went begging when Paynter ran across him. He needs to improve quickly with all of the competition around him. He deserves some luck, and if there's any justice, he'll get it.
Ferriby had 2 brief spells of relative pressure, but did little with it. The first 15 or so was quite bitty in the second half, not a lot came off for City. Green dallied on a half chance after a quick throw. It was Green who got the 2nd goal. Welsh played a great ball for Paynter, he drew keeper and defender and slipped inside for Green to tap home. Burgess failed to connect properly with a cross 5 yards out and then we scored again. Green went down in the box (possibly a penalty) but the ball fell to Brittain who kept calm and knocked the ball to Paynter at the far post for another tap in. Everyone in the ground, keeper included, expected Brittain to hammer a shot, great deception on the pass. Paynter nearly grabbed another when he curled an absolute beauty onto a post from 20 yards. Elliott made 2 great runs down the left, just failing to find City men with the balls in, and then he wrapped it up with a typical Elliott effort. A low strike from the corner of the area into the far corner. Very sweetly struck.
Good work out and a good result. Some very promising play, but there a few in the camp who are crying out for a sterner test.
City Scorers: Parkin, Green, Paynter & Elliott.