HARD WORK BUT WE GOT THERE IN THE END!

CITY were made to work hard to secure our passage in the FA Vase as we twice came from behind to beat Boldmere St. Michaels after extra-time.
It was the home side who got their noses in front when Curvin Ellis was on hand to turn in a goal-bound header from Nicky Dodd in the 13th minute.
Things were not looking good soon afterwards when skipper, Brad Birch, was forced off through injury, but we started to get a foot-hold into the game as the opening period went on and levelled just before the break.
Former Boldmere man, Mark Danks, started the move as he picked out Dave Reynolds on the left of the area and he managed to guide the ball home.
We continued to look the more likely side in the opening exchanges of the second half and took the lead when Jamie Smith put the ball into a dangerous area where Reynolds saw his attempts blocked before Danks managed to put the ball into the net as it stayed alive inside the area.
There was a good chance for Danks to extend the lead shortly afterwards but Harry Craven was brave to make the block.
It looked at this stage as though we were going to go on and make the game safe but Reynolds was just wide with his low effort.
The home side gradually started to get back on top with Dodd in particular causing problems and he was involved with the equaliser two minutes from time as he linked up with Kieren Westwood to make it 2-2.
It meant that the game went into extra-time and just seconds into the opening period, a quick free-kick caught City out as Joe Smith was able to seize upon the opportunity and although his first effort hit the woodwork, he was alert to follow up and give Boldmere the lead.
Dodd was next to rattle the woodwork as City found themselves under plenty of pressure but we managed to weather the storm without conceding any further goals and then grabbed an equaliser as Aexandru Albert put in a teasing ball which found its way to Reynolds off the head of a home defender and he made no mistake.
There were chances for Boldmere to get back in front before joint-manager, Lee Hughes, sent us through with the winner as the clock ticked down. The goal came after some good work out wide by Kyonn Evans and his cross presented Hughes with a chance from close range that he wasn’t going to miss as he headed home.
It was a tough first hurdle but we managed to successfully overcome it.

CITY: Gwynne, Chiwara (Evans 75), Griffiths, Albert, M. Smith, Hayward, Sarmento (Hughes 58), Birch (Birley 23), Danks, Reynolds, J. Smith. Subs not used: Baldwin, Dayus.