SWINDON TOWN 1 CITY 2
League Division 2
31st December 1988
attendance 10,776
Scorers
City Gayle(5), Beckford(70)
Swindon White(56)
Ref G Ashby
City Dibble, Seagraves, Hinchcliffe, Gayle, I Brightwell, Redmond, White, McNab, J Beckford, Lake, Biggins – sub Gleghorn(78), Morley(unused) Morley
Swindon Digby, Hockaday, King, Jones, Parkin, Gittens, Foley, White, Henry, MacLaren, Shearer – subs Cornwell(45), Barnes
FROM THE PRESS BOX
Brian Gayle’s second goal of the season provided an inspiring start to Manchester City’s final game of the year today.
The big City Defender, who hit the only goal winner in October at Plymouth was on the mark after only five minutes at the County Ground where the blues benefited from the return of influential Midfielder Neil McNab
Gayle’s header from a Jason Beckford left flanking cross squeezed between the legs of Swindon goalkeeper Fraser Digby as the blues attempted to bounce back from Boxing Day defeat at Stoke.
City’s two change side was given the boost of a goal after only five minutes with McNab back after a two match suspension, and Beckford replacing Morley and Gleghorn who were demoted to substitute and the Blues were hungry to avenge the Boxing Day defeat at Stoke. And it was McNab, an influential midfield motivator until his enforced absence, who paved the way for the goal.
His free kick found Beckford, starting his first League match of the season with the winger’s cross falling just right for Gayle to power a header down and through the legs of Digby.
It was just the start City were looking for although a linesman’s flag came to their rescue when threatened as Swindon urgently replied.
Hinchliffe’s wicked inswinging corner from the right fell into the hands of Digby as City continued to press forward eagerly.
Lake, Biggins and Beckford linked in an effective triangular move with White’s final shot blocked.
The Blues then back pedalled to overcome a couple of anxious moments,
Steve White’s cross from the right was met at the far post by Henry whose header was cut off by Dibble. Then Jones bursting through the middle, wanted too much time for his shot and Seagraves sprinted in to ease the danger by putting Dibble in possession once more. The 23rd minute almost provided a second goal for City. Lakes back-healer when hemmed in near the right hand corner flag, found White, and from the cross Brightwell swivelled sharply to drive in a crisp right footed effort that brought a flying save from Digby.
Gayle was again in the thick of the attacking action, twice winning possession beyond the far post when a Beckford left-flanking corner was played onto him. However, City did not have things entirely all their own way.
In the 28th minute Seagraves held off Shearer And three minutes later Hinchcliffe intervened when Gittens threatened on the right.
Steve White Splendidly had the beating of Redmond and his superbly struck angled shot brought an equally magnificent save from Dibble.
Then in the 33rd minute the Blues had their closest call of all. Henry’s powerfully struck shot caught Dibble off his line but the ball Cannoned back off the crossbar and the bananas were raised in triumph.
And minutes from half time Parkin received a yellow card following his clumsy lunge that flattened Biggins, the second time the City Striker had been in the wars.
Half-time: Swindon T 0 Manchester City 1
The injured Gittens was replaced for the second half by Cornwell, Swindon’s £60,000 newcomer from Newcastle.
Hinchcliffe again sprang to City’s rescue when he hooked a long backpass to Dibble who remained in the thick of the action with yet another majestic save.
Steve White’s 48th minute cross was inch perfect for Shearer, Whose cleverly glided header was curling towards the top corner until Dibble launched himself to scoop out the effort.
Biggins was booked for dangerous play in 55th minute with City coming under increasing pressure.
And that paid off for Swindon 60 seconds later when they snatched an equaliser. The left flanking corner from Jones, evade Dibble’s anxious grasp and Steve White pounced to scramble the ball over the line, wiping out City’s advantage.
And they almost got a second with White again the danger man, as this time he shrugged off the challenge from Redmond only for Dibble to advance from his line and block the attempt.
City survived a 64th minute penalty scare when Redmond appeared to pull down White. The referee appeared to be pointing to the penalty spot, but in fact, he was merely indicating a goal kick much to City’s relief.
In the 70th minutes City struck with a counter blow to regain the lead. Seagraves crossed from the right, White turned in a glancing header and Beckford, following up, appeared to add the finishing touch with Digby failing to hold White’s initial effort. And what a welcome first ever League goal it was for Beckford.
But the Blues continued to live dangerously and when Shearer broke through the middle it was once more Welsh International Dibble to the rescue as he spread himself well to save.
In the 76th minute there was more drama when Phil King was ordered off after a professional foul that had brought down Brightwell when he was streaking clear for goal following a through pass by Biggins.
In the 78th minute City pulled off Beckford who appeared to be suffering from cramp, and Gleghorn took over.
Even with a man short Swindon continued to pose a major threat as they went chasing a second equaliser.