VAASAN PALLOSEURA 0 CITY 2
Friendly
2nd August 1988
attendance
Scorers Beckford(18), Deehan(82)
City Dibble, Brightwell, Seagraves, Gayle, Redmond, White, McNab, Gleghorn, Morley, Deehan, Biggins- subs Beckford, Scott, Moulden
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 3RD AUGUST 1988
A new boy and an old head squeezes Manchester City through to a fifth successive victory on their barn-storming Scandinavian tour.
Teenager Jason Beckford, bidding for senior recognition in the Blues’ build-up for a promotion push, snapped the resilience of a determined Vasa BK side last night when he broke the deadlock with a 78th minute angled shot.
Four minutes later, former young England striker John ‘Dixie’ Deehan, Maine Road’s new player coach, swooped full length to connect with a spectacular diving header for the second.
… Said Machin: “It’s nice to win five games out of five and I am delighted the way things have gone. However, the job is far from being complete. We have three further games back in England and a greater opportunity to measure our capabilities will come in stiffer tests against Carlisle, Stockport County and Manchester United.”
Beckford’s strike was a real tonic for the dazzling right winger. He said: “I’m delighted. It certainly made the tour for me. It’s just a pity our Darren didn’t make the grade at Maine Road. However I’m hoping I will and this season could be my big chance.”
… City were made to toil for more than an hour of last night’s game on an uneven pitch before their experience began to pay off.
Neil McNab paved the way for the opening goal floating a free kick from the right to left. Brian Gayle, completing his first full game, headed across goal from the far post where Beckford struck with deadly accuracy.
McNab also set up the second finding the impressive Ian Brightwell, who crossed for Deehan to head in.