NOTTS COUNTY 0 CITY 2
Friendly
7th March 1980
attendance 2,927
scorers Bennett(17), Daley(59)
Ref B Martin
City Corrigan, Ranson, Power, Reid, Caton, Henry, Sugrue, Daley, Bennett, Deyna, Tueart – used subs Stepanovic, Palmer
County Avramovic, Richards, O’Brien, Benjamin, Stubbs, Kilcline, McCulloch, Masson, Christie, Hunt, Mair – used sub Mann
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 8TH MARCH 1980
Paul Power today starts the fight to clear up an injury that is a legacy of a good deed by Manchester City.
The Blues’ skipper strained his groin in the 2-0 friendly victory over Notts County at Meadow Lane last night, where the debut of unknown 19 year old Paul Sugrue suggests the club have a player of infinite promise.
Power did the damage in the first half, and admitted “It was partly my own fault.”
… Power missed the second half of a game in which City’s first win since December 22 could give them the confidence they so badly need to carry back into the First Division fight.
Dennis Tueart and Kaziu Deyna again revealed a solid understanding based on basic experience and know-how, that must be utilised in the fight for survival.
Dave Bennett finally found a killer touch in front of goal, although it was a dreadful defensive error that handed him the opening 17th minute goal against uncompromising County, whose fire and fury at times lifted the game above the level of a run-of-the-mill friendly.
None felt this more than the lightweight Sugrue. Yet the kid revealed plenty of guts and no mean skill either. His confidence was refreshing as he took on men in the face of some harsh physical punishment. Said manager Tony Book: Once we get him built up and he is more used to full time training and the greater demands that entails, he could emerge next season as an extremely useful member of the staff.
One neat, first half run, ending with a well struck shot, was Sugrue’s best effort as City recovered from a couple of early shocks when Joe Corrigan had to make splendid saves.
Tueart shot just wide as City replied, while the discipline of Deyna, who rarely gave the ball away, helped in what became a comfortable City success.