|
City's Academy side started their season in impressive style with a thumping 5-0 victory over Portsmouth at Colney on Tuesday. The win came despite the fact that four of David Williams side were on tour in Holland with the first team. However the main talking point of the game was the remarkable recovery by Asmat El Ouargui, who was back in action just 3 months after a car crash almost wrecked his career. Back in April the Dane was one of three Academy youngsters involved in the crash just yards away from the Colney training centre. Whilst Adam Gusterson and Andrew Fisk only suffered cuts and bruises, it was far more serious for Asmat who broke a bone in his neck. |
 A Pompey defender gives Jamie Eames the slip |
 Chris Martin on the receiving end of this challenge |
Early indications werethat the striker could be sidelined for up to twelve months but his appearance from the subs bench on Tuesday after just three months was quite remarkable and everyone responsible for his speedy recovery, including the player himself, must take a well deserved pat on the back. As for Tuesday's game it was business as usual for last season's leading scorer as Chris Martin opened his account for this season with a rasping shot after just ten minutes. Like most pre-season games the match was played in three 30 minute periods and it took trialist Luke Burgess just ten seconds to double City's score when he was introduced after the first break. |
|
Burgess was one of two trialists involved in the game the other being Shahnom Nararhi who has Spanish connections. Alvin Quaye celebrated his debut for the Under-18's with City's third goal on 32 minutes before Robert Eagle made it two goals in a week with a deflected shot on 55 minutes. It was then left to Lee Howlett to complete the scoring on 88 minutes with a low shot from just outside the area. City Line-Up: Lewis [Herbert 45], Bexfield, Spillane, Gusterson, Eagle, Nararhi [Quaye 30], Thrale [Burgess], Howlett, Martin, Muddel [El Ouargui 30], Eames. Please note while the substitutions are correct, as this was a friendly some players were later re- introduced. |
 Asmat El Ouargui in action against Portsmouth |
|
City's Under-16's, under the guidance of Dale Brooks, came from a goal behind to draw with Portsmouth. City's scorer was Simon Beeson. |
|
Further Action From The Match
Michael Spillane played a full 90 minutes at the heart of the defence
Seb Muddel started and finished the game
Chris Martin opened his account for the season
Report and Photos from John Landamore.