AC ROMA 2 CITY 2
Friendly
23rd May 1979
attendance 25,000
scorers
City Reid(9), Bennet(46)
Roma Pruzzo(30), Di Bartolomel(30)
ref Mr Longhi
City McCrea, Clemence, Donachie, Reid, Booth, Futcher, Channon, Villoen, Silkman, Deyna, Power – subs Bennet(45), Palmer(45), Henry(55)
Roma Tancredi, Chinellato, De Nadai, Boni, Maggiora, Santarini, Borelli, Di Bartolomei, Pruzzo, De Sisti, Ugolotti – subs Scarnecchia(45), Ciarlantini(68), Giovannelli(68), Scisciola(79), Orsi(79)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
FROM A REPORT IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 24TH MAY 1979
…A last minute goal by Dave Bennett, one of three second half substitutes, earned the Blues a 2-2 draw against Roma before a 25,000 crowd in the Olympic Stadium last night.
… Both sides contrived to provide an entertaining match, with the respective managers using the opportunity to experiment.
… City started positively, and their early flourish produced a ninth minute goal from Nicky Reid. But their lead was short-lived as Pruzzo equalised eight minutes later.
Di Bartoloei, a busy midfield player, and pick of the Roma team, fired his team ahead after 30 minutes with a fierce effort, and the Italians preserved their 2-1 advantage until half-time.
Palmer missed a second half penalty, shooting straight at the goalkeeper. The ball bounced back to the feet of the City striker, but again he hit Orsi with his drive.
However in the dying seconds, Bennett rose to head the equaliser, giving the Blues a deserved draw.