Match Report: Crosses and officials continue to trigger City self destruct

[Olé]

City's season has become so formulaic the only mystery is whether we will be beaten by a complete inability to stop conceding goals from crosses or due to whistle happy match officials who suddenly go silent at the exact moment required to screw us. In biblical rain at Swansea we had both these familiar foes.

Weimann capped an end to end first half by lasering into the top corner after good work by the unplayable Semenyo, but a continued failure by O'Leary to attack crosses coupled with Vyner losing his man got Swansea level and despite City's high press causing chaos - it was Swansea who stole into a lead.

All eyes on match officials including ref and part-time pantomime villain Keith Stroud - a go ahead goal that looked clearly offside, a mistake that was compounded when before the end Semenyo was clipped in the box for no penalty, the sort of brief contact that he had been whistling outside the box all day.

With a capacity away following that left City fans standing in aisles in growing drizzle, it was the away side who shaded an open first half. At the midway point Klose turned wide from Scott's corner and then Obafemi twice saw shots around the area blocked though O'Leary flapped badly at a right wing corner. 

On the half hour it was all City - as Semenyo deep ball was recycled before DaSilva laid it off to Vyner whose cross was half cleared to where Massengo robbed an opponent to tee up Scott - whose wickedly curling shot from the edge of the box spun just inches wide of the left post. City clearly growing in threat.

Minutes later Weimann found space running the channel to send a fierce rising volley just past the right post. Semenyo went on a run again, skipping past players at the edge of the box before testing Fisher low to his left. Before the break City robbed their hosts for Semenyo to setup Weimann's explosive opener.

After the break Swansea's passing football started to probe yet despite a series of good blocks and clearances, inside ten minutes it was level as Christie drove a simple cross in front of a still frozen to his line O'Leary and Vyner allowed Obafemi to drift off at the far post to tap in. A goal we regularly concede.  

With Williams on for Massengo City actually looked more likely to get the second. Before the hour Pring spun a marker, then Weimann got Semenyo in behind the last man on the left but his drilled cross was between his team mates. A stray boot left in by Obafemi then forced O'Leary off for Bentley in goal.

More City at the midway point as a cavalier move on the right saw Martin skipping in off a DaSilva through ball and tricking his way past a defender only to see a shot blocked. The visitors high press was causing keeper Fisher nightmares and Weimann robbed one of his bad touches to win a chaotic corner.

DaSilva hacked down Wolf on the left byline and from Downes free kick to beyond the far post Wolf almost swept home. Another steal by Semenyo put Weimann clear on the left to cut inside and see his shot deflected over. Scott's corner appeared underhit but Martin met it near post to backheel over the far post.

With quarter of an hour left an intricate City passing combination from out on the right wing saw Weimann slip a marker and feed Semenyo inside the box - who despite close attention from his opposite number stayed on his feet and managed a low shot on the turn that was pushed away just wide of goal.

Then controversy as Swansea went in front - against the run of play. Calamity from yet another deep cross this time from Piroe on the left - with Christie and Nitcham stealing ahead of Pring to turn home, though it was the former of them who seemed to be well offside when converting a second attempt.

Before 90 the irrepressible Semenyo looked to be caught on his ankle inside the box but nothing was given - despite ref Stroud being rapid to stop play for small similar contacts outside the box. Then in injury time as City pushed up with Wells, space opened up for Piroe to go clear and drive home decisively.

A two goal margin flattered a beatable and largely fortuitous, patient Swans side, but it was City, seeking a sixth win from their last seven trips across to Wales (the only defeat without fans) - that today instead despite a lively opening, surrendered in the heavy rain to deep crosses and shallow officiating.

 

O'Leary 5

Vyner 4

Klose 7

Kalas 6

Massengo 6

Scott 7

Pring 5

DaSilva 6

Weimann 7

Semenyo 8

Martin 7

 

Williams 6

Bentley 6

Wells 5

[BCFCGav]

The ‘deep crosses and shallow officiating’ line is I think the most beautiful line I’ve ever read on this forum. Rate that.

[Will Rollason]

For the first goal It looks like one of ours just let's the ball go across him rather than clearing it? Weird 

[Curr Avon]

56 minutes ago, Will Rollason said:

For the first goal It looks like one of ours just let's the ball go across him rather than clearing it? Weird 

No, its a weekly event. 

[One Team]

1 hour ago, BCFCGav said:

The ‘deep crosses and shallow officiating’ line is I think the most beautiful line I’ve ever read on this forum. Rate that.

Was just thinking the same, an epic write up @Olé mate and this line was perfection. 

My only critic is that you gave O’Leary and Vyner such high scores! 

[REDOXO]

OLeary simply can not be blamed for the goal they scored while he is on the pitch. That’s clear, so a 5 while Bentley gets a 6 is a bit of a stretch. Bentleys kicking not great as usual, however I would throw him in on Saturday

Williams was pony in his cameo but got a six. But all in all the marking was about right. 

[firstdivision]

Yep, Keith Stroud blows up more times than an old boiler until it’s time to actually get something pretty basic right. Semenyo had his foot trodden on - it was momentarily pinned to the ground as he moved forward - causing him to go down. 
 

Edited February 13, 2022 by firstdivision