So, on a bright and breezy afternoon at the Park, one bright move in an otherwise turgid affair settled the game with City overcoming tricky opponents Kidderminster Harriers in front of a surprisingly healthy 3812 supporters. City lined up: Marriott; Edwards, Seaborne, Matt Taylor, Tully; Moxey, Andy Taylor, Gill, Carlisle; Stansfield, Logan.

 

As with the supporters' match earlier in the morning, the swirling wind made conditions very difficult for both sides. Indeed, it was a good quarter of an hour before anything of note happened that was worth recording, and as it was, it was very nearly the opening goal: Stansfield's first time lash cannoning against the base of the post before being cleared for a corner.

 

Both sides continued to struggle for much of the half, with precious little goal action to report on, and it wasn't until five minutes before the break that the next move of note happened. Gill had a free kick 30 yards out and while everyone expected either a shot or chip to the far post, Gill slid the ball down the channel for Carlisle to chase where he whipped in a drilled low cross that was again cleared for a corner.

 

The final action of a tricky first half was when Wayno and Logie combined wonderfully through the middle before Wayno shot wastefully over onto the Bank from the edge of the box.

 

Soon enough it was time for the second half, and immediately City were on the attack. In the first minute a ball was floated towards the far post where Wayno rose highest to loop a good looking header onto the bar that was eventually cleared upfield. Wayno was again involved in the tenth minute when a fierce Deano cross from deep was butted as he steamed in at the far post.

 

Almost immediately after City were again on the attack. This time Tully fed Deano on the edge of the box who in turn intelligently laid the ball off to Gill whose 25 yard fizzer was well saved by the Kiddy keeper turning it round the post at full stretch. This was just a sighter though, as two minutes later City took a deserved lead. Logan turned a long punt into Deano's path, and he in turn played it across the pitch. With a defender looking to intercept, Gill came bursting through from nowhere to take the ball through and on towards the Kiddy goal where he smashed home past a helpless keeper from 10 yards out to make it 1-0 City.

 

On the quarter hour Stans, back a lot sooner than at first thought from a horrible looking injury, was withdrawn for Basham.

 

Two minutes later, City were on the attack once more. This time Logan ghosted into the box collecting Deano's through ball before teeing himself up for a vicious dipping volley that a clearly surprised keeper did well to tip over the bar.

 

But with the wind dropping and play becoming more watchable, there was still precious little goalmouth action with defences more than a match for attacks. However, rightly so, in the closing stages it was City who were on top looking to close out the game. With five minutes to go Deano lobbed the ball to Bash who showed sublime skills in collecting, controlling and then bursting through a couple of defenders before sending Deano scampering after a return. It was unfortunate that his good looking cross was intercepted at the near post as Logan was lurking menacingly just behind the keeper.

City didn't have everything their own way, as in the final minute Marriott had to be at his very best to palm away a close range bullet header for a corner.

 

But City did hang on, and with most of their play-off rivals also registering wins today, it was vital City took all three points. Manager Tisdale said on the radio after the game that City had won ugly today, and he was exactly right. The weather made a mockery of any attempt at skilful football today, so it was more a case of knuckling down, getting the job done and just grinding a result out. City did just that - it wasn't much to look at, but three points are three points and you don't get anything extra if you win playing sexy football.

 

As for the players, it was difficult to single anyone out for praise, or to wax lyrical on stunning performances. Suffice to say that those that did stand out included Matt Gill with one of his more accomplished performances of late - capped with a lovely goal - and Richard Logan, who turned out to be the best passer of the ball today with some raking diagonal balls from deep left to Wayno rampaging down the right.

 

Next up it's the short trip to close rivals Weymouth before we return to the Park next Saturday when Halifax visit. After that we have the rearranged visit of bottom club Droylsden before travelling in short succession to first Stevenage then Salisbury. The play-offs are still very much within our grasp, and our run looks, on paper, to be easier that those of our closest rivals.

 

It might not be pretty at times, but the boys are out there giving their all for the cause. They want a play-off spot, and so do you - if they're working to fulfil that aim, then it's up to you to get yourself along to the Park and cheer them on. Hopefully the result at Weymouth on Monday will be a favourable one, which means we should be in a strong position to continue our recent good run on Saturday against Halifax.

 

So we'll see you all there - today, considering the weather, the crowd was magnificent. Play your parts again, not just next saturday, but for the rest of the season and surely the glory will be there for the taking. See you there.