2-2 according to Blue View. I was intending to go but (and I know you'll all think this is a pathetic excuse) my cat is poorly at the moment and I didn't want to leave her on her own all night!

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Answers

Thanks for the news, Jacko. Sorry to hear about your cat. I wouldn't leave my cat on her own either. If I had a cat. How are Port Vale doing? Have you been to the new SJP yet?

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

I went - report to follow.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Went on Saturday Dougal - don't you ever read this board!

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Team :-

Harper,

Griffin (C), Charvet, Caldwell, Serrant

Kerr, McGlen, Hamilton, Brady

Coppinger, McMahon

Subs

Ameobi, Gridlay, Boyd, McGuffie, Beherall

A pretty strong team against a City team that also included several with 1st team experience - Tommy Wright, Dickov & Cooke to name but 3.

City kicked off and 25 seconds later they were 1 up. An attack up their left wing - cross into the box - almighty scramble and at the 3rd attempt Dickov scored.

30 seconds later another City attack and we almost let another in.

After that we settled slowly and finished the half on top. We held the ball well - even my 9 year old noticed we were !! Anyway McMahon scored after a well worked move from Serrant to Brady and an incisive through ball allowed him in - 1-1 after 38 minutes. He also missed 2 other chances so 1 out of 3 so far.

The only scares really were caused by City's right back getting behind our defence but both times we managed to clear it - I bet he's in in place of Edgehill next week - Ulises De La Cruz.

2nd half began as the 1st had finished - Toon playing pretty well and City only threatening on the odd break. Coppinger had 2 or 3 one on ones which Wright saved well.

After 13 minutes of the half my 9 year old needed the loo. Apparently McMahon scored while we were there. Locals reckon he looked offside but he scored - 2-1.

23 minutes into the 1/2 Tommy Craig obviously decied to save the lad the cost of a round of drinks and put young Shola Amoebi on in his place. The lad looks raw but is worth watching for the future. He got Andy Morrison rattled so can't be too bad.

After being in control for the majority of the second half City scored with their final push - 86 minutes - an attack up their left wing and a cross well put away by Gareth Taylor.

Player comments :-

Harper - not much to do - couldn't be faulted with either goal - some attrocious kicking - and a some good reflex stops in a couple of scrambles.

Griffin - was exposed at times but coped OK - needs practice

Charvet - composed and worth the fee we'll get for him in the near future as long as its less than 1 million.

Caldwell - solid enough and looks like a young Howey

Serrant - sorted the full back problem in the 2nd half - I suspect Brady pulled his weight a bit more

Kerr - good touches - tidy but one for the future

Hamilton - solid enough but not 1st team material - will do well in the Nationwide - please somebody buy him

McGlen - as previously commented should stop posing and get stuck in - when he did he looked OK.

Brady - lost cause although chased all day and set up the 1st goal

Coppinger - some great touches and speed - needed help which McMahon couldn't give - he worked well up the wings with Kerr

McMahon - 1st time I've seen him - he tried but didn't seem fast enough - he still scored 2 and will rue the few he missed as well.

Overall a solid enough performance let down by not taking the chances to distance themselves from an experienced City team.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Thanks for the report, Josh. Sounds like Stevie's been studying Shay's old training films. ;-) To be fair, though, he's probably a bit rusty from warming the bench the last few weeks.

Do you mind if I post your report to the toonarmyusa website?

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000

Not at all - anything I write is garbage anyway so if its copied it can only get better.

-- Anonymous, September 01, 2000