OBBOLA IK 1 CITY 5
Friendly
22nd July 1988
attendance ???
Scorers
City White(5), Brightwell(24), Hinchcliffe(42), Morley(60), Scott(78 pen)
Obbola Aberg(68)
City Dibble, McIntyre, Hinchcliffe, Seagraves, Brightwell, Redmond, White, Deehan, Moulden, Scott, Simpson – subs Beckford, Gayle, Biggins, Morley, McNab, Gleghorn
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 23RD JULY 1988
Handyman John Deehan showed his amazing versatility as Manchester City rekindled their Swedish scoring form last night.
The Blues’ new £20,000 player-coach stepped in as emergency left back when teenager Andy Hinchcliffe limped off early in the second half of the opening pre-season build up game.
Said Deehan: “I don’t mind where I play, in fact, I have featured in every position except goalkeeper, and there’s still time left for me to play there, too!”
Team manager Mel Machin added: “The fee we paid for John could prove a bargain in the long term. He can do any job you ask of him, although I think his main use will be as a striker.”
City’s 5-1 victory over Swedish Fourth Division Obbola IK saw them pick up the threads of last summers blistering goal spree, they were the talk of Northern Scandinavia when they twice hit double-figure scores.
Said Machin: “It’s too early to start drawing conclusions, but I was delighted at the way everyone performed. More so in view of the fact that we started pre-season training only four days earlier, and the game came at the end of a demanding, 12 hour journey that began early in the morning.”
Every player in the squad, apart from 16 year old Welsh schoolboy international goalkeeper Martin Margetson was given a run.
Hinchcliffe’s injury was the only blemish on a workout that hinted that City may have solved their goalkeeping problems, with Andy Dibble a commanding figure.
The second half introduction of £325,000 Brian Gayle provided strength in the air at the centre of the back four, and Nigel Gleghorn brought balance to the left.
Said Machin: “All the newcomers looked useful. However, there is still a long way to go and everything is being geared to our opening League game at Hull.”
David White set the pace with a fierce fifth minute volley to open the scoring. Ian Brightwell nudged in the second after Deehan had touched on a White cross, and Hinchcliffe’s low, angled attempt made it three by the break.
Trevor Morley headed the fourth from Gleghorn’s free kick, and Ian Scott, voted man of the match, tucked away a penalty.