City tumbled out of the FA Cup in the first round, beaten 1-0 at home by the bottom club in the Nationwide Conference. The only goal of a dire game came from Matt Fisher in the 57th minute, after being allowed the freedom of Boothferry Park (and most of the surrounding district, had he asked) to fire past Paul Musselwhite from 20 yards. The goal was typical our City’s performance – feeble, lazy and totally unacceptable. In truth, City had had marginally the better of a dour first half. A 35 yard effort from Brabin early on tested Bowling in the Kettering goal, while Greaves wasted a one-on-one after nice play from Philpott. Musselwhite caused a scare after going walkabout outside his area, but Goodison was on hand to mop up the danger in the area. Soon after, the Tigers keeper was forced into an excellent save to deny Robert Codner from 30 yards. As half-time approached, City continued to push, with Eyre forcing a neat save from the visitors’ chubby goaltender, and Goodison heading narrowly wide after an excellent Philpott corner. However, the best chance of the half was the final chance. A City corner was only half-cleared, and the ball fell invitingly for Brown fifteen yards from goal, but he snatched at the ball, and screwed it well wide.

The second half began poorly for City, with Musselwhite having to be alert to foil a one-on-one chance for Hudson. At the other end, Eyre had a half-chance with a header from seven yards, but could only nod the ball over. City were increasingly being forced back though, and on 57 minutes disaster struck. Some wretched defending enabled Matt Fisher a clear sight of goal, and from 20 yards he lashed the ball past the isolated Musselwhite, to the unrestrained glee of the 200 Poppies fans. It wasn’t getting any better, as the crowd justifiably vented their frustration as yet another throw-in to City was squandered. That led to Brabin appearing to remonstrate with the Kempton as its patrons derided the lack of effort, though perhaps the player was having a go at himself, or his team mates. He had better have been – we paid to watch that, and any criticism aimed at the team was fully warranted. Back on the pitch, and things were becoming increasingly grim. Edwards took a free-kick 45 yards from goal, but somehow punted the ball into the mocking band of Kettering fans, as opposed to the penalty area.

Whitmore was thrown in, though he was clearly unfit, limping after three minutes. Despite the handicap of his groin injury, he briefly invigorated his team mates, and City came close when a superbly cushioned header by Brown gave Brabin a clear sight of goal, but his header flashed wide with the goal at his mercy. The final fifteen minutes were a numbing torture, as Whitmore faded from view, City’s players continued to show the same witlessness and deplorable lack of effort, while the City fans exasperation escalated. With a minute left on the clock, Brown provided Greaves a golden chance from 20 yards with only the keeper to beat…and he cleared the North Stand. Quite a fitting way to end a utterly disgraceful evening.

Particular criticism can be levelled at Harper, Eyre, Brabin and Philpott. If they have any decency, they will hand back their wages for this week to the club. Brown tried, but resorted to falling over for free-kicks, so poor was the support he received. Brightwell defended well, but wasted too many free-kicks up front. Musselwhite cannot be blamed, Perry was adequate, Edwards hapless out of position, Greaves ineffectual and Goodison isolated at the back, and relied upon up front. It was a humbling night for all. If City are to avoid a pasting at Scunthorpe on Saturday, changes must be made.

City tried their hardest to snatch a draw away from the jaws of victory but nonetheless took all three points in a Jekyll and Hyde performance against bottom placed Carlisle. Ian Goodison returned to the starting XI after missing the Kettering cup game last week, but a lack of fitness kept out his compatriot Theo Whitmore. City took the lead after just 7 minutes following a display of unexpected benevolence from the Cumbrian’s keeper Matthew Glennon. Under no pressure whatsoever, he hacked the ball straight to David Brown, who gleefully took a few steps forward before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net, with Glennon looking just a tad bemused.

The goal calmed City down somewhat, and they began patiently plugging away for a second. It came on 23 minutes following a goalmouth melee, Edwards (I think) laid the ball back to Ian Goodison, lurking on the edge of the box, the Jamaican drew back a white boot and sidefooted through the crowd to double the Tiger’s lead. City were in control at this stage and could have had more, Brightwell played a long crossfield ball into the area which was met by Gary Brabin who thumped a volley a foot outside of the right post. Brabin went close again with a glorious chipped shot from some 35 yards out that forced an acrobatic save from Glennon who parried away. The half ended with City 2-0 up and seemingly in control, and things looked good when we began the second half as we had ended the first. A corner clearance fell to Clint Marcelle to the left of the goal and he struck a powerful shot that was cleared off the line by the far post. It all seemed to go downhill from that point, Carlisle took the initiative and the Tigers didn’t look to have a response, backing off and letting the visitors back into the game.

The Cumbrians had a series of corners, about 4 million in all, and they finally made one count on 71 minutes, Connelly hammering in a rebound as the City defence snoozed. The Tigers looked bereft of ideas and a change had to be made. With ten minutes remaining, Brian Little made three, replacing Brown, Marcelle and Philpott with Wood, Eyre and Swales. Paul Musselwhite wasn’t troubled a great deal, but he was forced to pull off a diving save to tip over a 40-yard effort. City jolted from their slumber and had a few attacks that ultimately fell apart due to poor final balls. Brabin dinked the ball to Swales in the right far corner, he laid off to Edwards who found John Eyre. He turned and scooped a shot just wide of the left post. Some nervy moments at the end, but we held on for a vital three points. We remain in tenth position, four points off seventh place currently filled by Cheltenham. Scunny lie in sixth after destroying Mansfield 6-0 ahead of next weeks Humber derby. Fun and games lie in store.

City and Kettering eked out a goalless draw in this FA Cup first round tie at Rockingham Road, meaning a replay is needed to see who will face Bristol City away in Round Two. The Poppies, currently propping up the Conference, battled hard and nearly took the lead after six minutes, Lee Hudson put in a cross that deflected kindly to Phil Brown, he struck a shot just wide of the post. Hudson fired a shot over from around 25 yards out before a Carl Adams free kick was hacked away. Finally City responded and Clint Marcelle had a near post shot blocked before David Brown had a low drive superbly saved by Ian Bowling, the ball rebounded back to Brown but he blasted wide.

Hudson fired wide with the break approaching after Musslewhite’s headed clearance dropped at his feet around 30 yards out. City were stronger after the interval and David Brightwell’s close range header from a Philpott free kick forced a good save from Bowling. On the hour mark Gary Brabin hammered a shot against the post after another Philpott free kick which popped loose in the box. Later David Brown rifled a shot through a congested penalty area which struck Bowling’s legs and bounced away to safety. Neither side had the cutting edge necessary and will have to do it all again on Tuesday 28th at Boothferry Park, the winners will meet Bristol City in the next round. The Robins beat Chesterfield 1-0 away to set up a second round tie at Ashton Gate to be played December 9th.

City succumbed to their first defeat in six games on a grey and blustery day at the home of the league leaders. It was an even affair and ultimately the only difference between the sides was that Chesterfield have a striker in good form whereas we don’t seem to have a striker at all. As you’d expect from the divisions leaders at home, the Spireites went on the offensive first, Paul Musselwhite tipped over a powerful header and Gary Brabin headed away the resultant corner. Chesterfields shooting in the opening stages was dreadful, otherwise they may have been able to take advantage of a goalmouth melee before a Tiger hooked the ball away. The early stages saw some good technical football but it suddenly degenerated to pinball with the ball being blasted at other players for no apparent reason. City’s first attack of note came when Mike Edwards had a shot deflected but Pollitt in the home goal got down well and collected. The game was then held up for some five minutes as a section of the Tigers support responded to provocation from home fans in the Crompton Street terrace by cutting across the pitch in an attempt to maim their tormentors. Order was eventually restored by baton wielding police and their snarling dogs and the game recommenced.

Mark Greaves foiled Luke Beckett, who the Spireites still haven’t paid Chester for, before the ever unflustered Ian Goodison put a back pass to Musselwhite, our number one wasn’t quite so calm and sliced the ball out for a corner. The kick was swung in and Williams connected well with a header only for our now recomposed keeper to tip over nonchalantly. Beckett was making a nuisance of himself up front for Chesterfield but our splendid defence, Goodison and Perry especially, where handling him well. The childish Chesterfield fans took to singing ‘you run from the Scunthorpe’ at us, which raised a bit of mirth, people don’t run from Scunny, they amble away smoking Bolivian cigars, but on with the game. City won a free kick on the right which was knocked in by Philpott, Pollitt punched away under pressure from Greaves and the ball fell to Edwards who struck a low shot that the keeper clutched. Therein lies our problem, two recognised defenders comprising our attacking threat, at times we appear to have no forwards on the pitch. A few minutes later, to the amusement of the Tiger Nation, Ian Goodison wellied the ball out of the ground for no apparent reason after the ball had gone out for a throw in, our throw in at that. In light of Chesterfields sudden financial strife, they won’t have been too chuffed to lose two £50 matchballs, earlier on a City fan had gleefully hurled a yellow Ultimax out of the ground when it came into the crowd. Beckett was put through (looking miles offside) and delivered a dangerous cross which was destined for the boot of a blueshirt but Goodison got between ball and boot to head away. David Brightwell went in the book for a tortoise-reaction-time challenge before Gary Brabin tried a long range effort that Pollitt batted away. Shortly after the ref peeped for half-time, 0-0.

City kicked off the second forty-five with a strong wind behind their back. City could have used this to their advantage, but strangely decided to kick the ball forwards as hard as they could at every opportunity, the ball would then be swept out of play by the gusts. Very odd, and disappointing after a good first half where we had quelled the home sides advances and were looking to hit them on the break. City had a great chance to score from a corner when Brabin looked to smash a shot in from close range, but he pulled out at the last second after seeing Goodison in front of him, the Jamaican fumed and rightly so. Mark Greaves went in the book after a tussle, not long before City’s most fluid move. Musselwhite tossed the ball to Marcelle who brought the ball forward up the left wing before passing to Whitmore who struck a dipping shot that went just over. Chesterfields 29 (you don’t expect me to find out his name do you???) wasted a fine cross, heading wide. The run of play was swinging in Chesterfields favour now, and it came as no surprise when they took the lead, Brabin lost the ball in midfield and a cross was swung in, Perry headed away but not far enough and the predatory Beckett was on hand to fire home from 10 yards.

City tried to claw their way back in but were utterly impotent upfront, seemingly playing Gary Brabin as a centre-forward before throwing David Brown on for the ineffectual Lee Philpott. Mark Greaves went close with a back header from a free kick that went inches wide. Steve Swales replaced Jason Perry, a bold but risky move, with only two at the back now we were fucked if someone ran at Brightwell. City had a spell of pressure late on but to no avail, Chesterfield had extended their lead at the top while City fell one place to tenth. It’s no disgrace losing to the leaders, it’s just a great shame we could not take a point since they didn’t look all that good. Once again a lack of firepower was made painfully evident, maybe we should try the Spireites trick of signing a forward and not paying for him.