CITY EDGE THROUGH IN FA VASE THRILLER

THERE was plenty of entertainment as City made it through to the next round of the Buildbase FA Vase with a hard-earned 4-3 victory over Sherwood Colliery.
It was a purposeful start from City as we forced a series of early corners before a free-kick from a good position following a foul on Jamie Smith saw George Forsyth fire over.
The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute when Matt Birley put in a sweet delivery from the right which picked out Lee Hughes in space inside the area and he curled home with much aplomb.
It was a deserved lead for City and Hughes almost grabbed his second with a low effort that flashed inches wide of the target.
We were in control at this stage and a positive run from Jamie Smith ended with him firing wide. Then another free-kick on the edge of the area saw Birley’s low effort blocked by the defensive wall.
The second goal that we had threatened came five minutes from the break when Jamie Smith’s inviting cross was met with a deft header from Dave Reynolds.
We were well in command now but a foul by Matt Gwynne moments later handed our visitors a penalty which they duly converted through Ewan Robson.
With the bit between their teeth, the leveller soon arrived when Liam Theakstone evaded the City defence following a neat through-ball and he stayed calm to apply the finish and make it 2-2.
There was still time for City to regain the lead before the break when another cross into the area caused problems and Jamie Smith was on hand to head home, giving the ‘keeper no chance as he placed the ball beyond his reach.
A free-kick to City early in the second half was met with a firm header from Mark Smith that was well tipped over by the ‘keeper.
We were able to extend our lead thanks to a neat goal as Birley fed Hughes who was forced wide by the ‘keeper but he managed to square the ball into the path of Reynolds who was left with the simple task of guiding the ball into the net from close range.
Our joy soon turned to despair when skipper, Brad Birch, became the latest City player to be shown a straight red card when he raised his arm to an opponent.
The sending off gave our opponents a lift and they went close as Hughes was forced to clear in front of goal before they finally reduced the arrears in the 56th minute with another neat finish from Theakstone, who then rattled the woodwork in their next raid.
The momentum was back with the visitors and Gwynne had to make a couple of smart saves to keep us in front.
At the other end, Hughes had a couple of chances to seal the game but he was off target, but the visitors were still very much in the game as they pushed for an equaliser.
James Baldwin was introduced off the substitutes’ bench and almost made an immediate impact as his cross-come-shot was scrambled behind and then he headed just wide as the ball came back into the danger zone.
Credit to our visitors because they kept searching for a leveller and in the end we were relieved to hear the final whistle to confirm our passage into the second round.

CITY: Gwynne, Forsyth, Griffiths (Sarmento 66), Albert, M. Smith, Hayward, Birley, Birch, Hughes, Reynolds (Baldwin 82), J. Smith. Subs not used: Dayus, Mole, Fedotovs.

ATTENDANCE: 408.