Northwich 3-0 York City Allan 11 Devlin 26 Brisco 43     Saturday 11 December 2004, Nationwide Conference Attendance: 673

I'll try to keep this brief - a truely appalling performance from City, one which would rank level with Forest Green as the worst result in the club's history. City were dire, creating very few chances, against a side who were clearly very limited.

The first half was controlled by the home side, limiting City to a few efforts only, with Donovan and Bishop perhaps the closest but nothing really threatened the largely spectating Northwich keeper. However, City were struggling defensively especially Staley on the right, from which all of Northwich's goals were created. The first goal arrived from a low cross from the left about 10 minutes in, with Allan unmarked to side foot past Stockdale, and before long it was 2-0, with a flowing move, perfect cross and great header from Devlin giving Stockdale no chance. 2-0 after only 25 minutes. And just when City fans thought it could get no worse, a period of scrappy play inside the City box ended with Briscoe whacking it into the top corner shortly before half time.

The second half saw Nogan subbed for Robinson II, who was lively and showed much promise. City had the majority of possession, and Robinson forced a fine save out of the Northwich sub keeper, but City's best chance of a goal went to ageing midfielder Groves, whose lack of pace meant he was unable to react to Robinson's knock down and score a certain goal. Donovan also had a good chance but clipped the bar from 8 yards.

Player ratings:

Stockdale 6 - Can't blame him for any of the Northwich goals. Otherwise didn't have much to do.

Staley 4 - Sorry to say it's time for him to be rested. Northwich's best moves were down the left and he failed to close down their winger on a number of occasions.

Brass 5 - Did okay but as a centre back there's a degree of responsibilty for 3 goals.

Grant 4 1/2 - Definitely his worst game for City. A bit slow and lumbering today, not the classy performances of the last 2 matches.

Davies 4 - See the rating for Staley. Naive defending for the first half.

Donovan 6 1/2 - Did fairly well, one of the few to take any credit. Maybe should have scored when 8 yards out.

Groves 1 - Pathetic.

Dunning 4 - A coincidence that the match we bring Dunning back in we get beaten 3-0 and have no creativity from midfield? Don't rate Dunning's performances this season at all.

Merris 5 - Plenty of effort, no quality on crosses though.

Nogan 4 - Woeful, clearly short of pace and any ability at all. At least unlike Groves he tries, but he shouldn't be near a football pitch any more.

Bishop 5 - Worked hard, just lacks that extra quality to become a regular goalscorer though.

Subs:

Robinson II 7 1/2 - Very impressive. Works hard, looks like he's got a bit of pace as well.

Robinson I 6 1/2 - Tried hard to create something against Northwich's back 11.

Report by David Venables

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