CREMONESE 2 CITY 2
Friendly
2nd August 1992
attendance
scorers
CityWhite(16), Lake(53)
Cremonese Tentoni(5), Colonnese(80)
City Coton, Hill, Pointon, Lake, Curle, Vonk, White, Lukic, Quinn, Simpson, McMahon – used subs Redmond, I Brightwell, Reid, Brennan, Mike, Margetson, Sheron, Flitcroft
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PAUL HINCE WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 3RD AUGUST 1992
Manchester City’s tour to Italy Is turning into the Paul Lake Show.
For the second match running the Blues’ comeback star stole the limelight with a majestic display and a sensational goal as Peter Reid’s, men were held to a draw against recently relegated Cremonese last night.
After a nightmare two-year battle For fitness Manchester City’s brilliant 23 year old midfield star is back with avengeance and chasing a place in Reid’ sStarting lineup for the Blues’ Premier League kick-off.
The Blues were introduced to the puzzled locals as “Manchester United”.
If that was an unfortunate start worse was to follow with dozy City conceding a goal inside the opening five minutes, just as they did in their opening match against Brescia.
This time the Maine Road men fell victim to the new back-pass law with keeper Tony Coton unable to clear his lines following the now dreaded back-pass from Fitzroy Simpson.
Under a challenge from Lombardini, Coton’s attempted clearance fell to Nicolini, whose shot hit the bar to leave Tentoni with a simple chance from the rebound. The Blues looking fitter and stronger than their opponents, soon took the game by the scruff of the neck and deservedly equalised after 16 minutes when Keith Curle’s pinpoint pass down the middle gave David White all the space he needed to pick his spots in the bottom corner with a fierce right foot drive.
From then on the Italians were always chasing shadows although it wasn’t until eight minutes into the second half that the Blues underlined, their superiority with a breathtaking goal from the brilliant Lake.
There seemed nothing on the cards when Lake collected a cross from White on the edge of a crowded penalty box. But the former England under 21 star showed his extraordinary vision when he somehow looped a glorious, chipped shot over the heads of half a dozen defenders leaving keeper Turci rooted to the spot as the ball
sailed into the top corner.
It was a goal which deserved to win any match. And it would have won this one but for another scandalous refereeing decision.
The Cremonese striker Delotti was clearly yards offside when he collected the ball out on the left with 10 minutes to go, to give Colonnese a simple tap in goal.