The stands of Hyde’s Ewen Fields were awash with sky blue last night as the City faithful ran the rule over Keegan’s latest acquisition. In the first reserve league game of the season, City fielded a side with youth and a number of seasoned campaigners which included Antoine Sibierski in centre-midfield. And after watching an impressive performance, most of the Blues will have gone home saying one thing, “That French bloke’s not too bad.”
Sibierski starred in the 1-1 draw with Wolves, along with Joey Barton, who was just as confident at left-midfield as he was in the centre for the first team last season. The two combined to conjure up City’s equaliser on 71 minutes after new Wolves signing, Henri Camara, had put them ahead just before the hour. The tenacity of youngster Willo Flood on the right wing was also loudly appreciated by the City fans.
Sibierski made his first impression within seconds as his shot from halfway was comfortably saved by Michael Oakes, son of City legend Alan. The two sides then tried to establish a foothold in the game by playing through midfield, but created few chances in the first half.
Flood released Huckerby on the right but by the time his cross came to Sibierski in the centre, there were enough bodies back to block his effort. Huckerby was halted on a couple of occasions before Macken had a solid effort saved from 6 yards after Flood and Sibierski combined. Camara and Proudlock had chances for Wolves but didn’t threaten Weaver.
After the break, City should have been ahead. Negouai played Macken in through the right channel but his shot skidded across goal. So it was Wolves who opened the scoring through Camara. The Senegal striker was fed in the left channel and cut inside between Wiekens and Ritchie to score in the bottom left corner, giving Weaver no chance.
Barton and Flood then started to cut in from the wings and had several decent shots from distance on target, or just wide. But it was Barton who really impressed as he produced a number of delicious passes and enticing free-kicks.
Macken almost scored from one but the ball was scrambled clear and Ritchie headed wide when he should have scored. Sibierski scrambled in the equaliser from a yard out after another in-swinger from Barton and Ritchie almost won it late on with another header but Oakes saved.
It is fair to say that Sibierski appears to be a strong signing. He brought several balls down adroitly and played a number of inventive balls forward but he is not the same as Benarbia, or even Berkovic. The former Lens man tackles a bit too and is no luxury player. If the unsettled Berkovic does leave then Keegan will need to sign another flair player as Sibierski can not be a replacement for both Eyal and Ali.
City: Weaver; Bischoff, Wiekens, Ritchie, Jordan; Flood, Negouai (Whelan, 79), Sibierski (Elliott, 79), Barton; Huckerby, Macken (Croft, 79). Subs unused: Onuoha, Ellegaard (gk)
Attendance: 943