CITY ran out worthy winners with a 2-0 home victory over Haughmond.
It was a lively start from City as we posed a number of early questions for our hosts. An effort from Lee Hughes was deflected just wide early on whilst an inviting corner was met by the head of Wayne Thomas as the ball was deflected inches wide.
Despite our early dominance, the visitors looked a threat on the break and Matt Gwynne was forced to make a smart save with eight minutes on the clock.
Some neat play by City saw James Baldwin do well to pick out Josh Sarmento and his cross into the danger zone found Hughes whose attempt was deflected wide.
With the full-backs both pushing up the field we were giving our visitors plenty to think about as the opening period went on and Tyler Weir almost found the net with a cross-come-shot that the ‘keeper did well to keep out.
There was an enforced change for City just past the half-hour mark when Sarmento left the field to be replaced by Ethan Moran, an under-21 player who was making his first-team debut. Sarmento had taken a knock earlier in the game but it was a bout of sickness that forced him out of the action.
Baldwin was seeing plenty of the ball as he looked to make things happen but by hook or by crook, the visitors were managing to keep us at bay.
That said, they almost snatched the lead themselves with a free-kick just before the break creeping inches wide.
Right on half-time, Moran played in Hughes but his strike lacked the necessary power to trouble the ‘keeper too much.
There were chances at either end at the start of the second half before City took the lead on 59 minutes when Baldwin did well on the left before delivering an inch-perfect cross for Hughes who made no mistake.
The goal gave us a real lift and it wasn’t long before we made it 2-0 when Hughes was fed the ball inside the area and he made room for a strike that flew past the ‘keeper.
We were well in command at this stage and looking a real threat every time we went forward. Hughes was denied a hat-trick by a superb point-blank save from the ‘keeper after Weir did well to get the ball across into his path.
There were some impressive display from City, with Moran in particular adapting well to his new surroundings.
Another youngster was given his chance when Jack O’Donnell was introduced late on and he was soon involved in the action as he linked up with Hughes whose strike was blocked.
In the end we managed to see the game out and secure another clean sheet with a second 2-0 win in a row.

CITY: Gwynne, Forsyth, Weir, Smith, Thomas, Hayward, Sarmento (Moran 31), Birley, Hughes (Albert 80), Baldwin (O’Donnell 76), Tomkinson. Subs not used: Griffiths, Lewis.
ATTENDANCE: 336.