Eight wins in a row for Cornes’ side as Sleaford beaten in Vase

City’s journey in this year’s Isuzu FA Vase continues after more Haydn Whitcombe penalty heroics, and two second half strikes seal victory over Sleaford Town, making it eight wins in a row for Chris Cornes’ side.

Haydn, the shootout hero in the previous round versus Rugby Borough, was called into action within the first four minutes after skipper Adam Mace tangled with the visitor’s number 13 Jacob Fenton in the box, with the referee not hesitating to give the penalty so early on in the game. Mace could rely on his keeper though, who saved Fenton’s penalty down to his right hand side, and even with the striker having the chance from the rebound, Whitcombe was equal to that too and kept it out. After a shaky start, City had their number one to thank for keeping them on level terms.

Both sides had chances in the opening 45 minutes but the more memorable actions from the first half were the amount of yellow cards dished out by the referee - seven in total, with two for City, and five for the visitors.

Into the second half and City looked to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Mace sent a high cross into the penalty area which was met brilliantly by Dylan Hart, but his header struck the post and was cleared. Stoddart saw his follow-up effort eventually scrambled away by the Sleaford defence.

The breakthrough came on 56 minutes. Following a Sleaford clearance, Calvin Dinsley played a neat ball into Izak Reid on the right. He took on Sleaford’s left back and courtesy of a deflection made his way into the box, delivering a brilliant cross towards the penalty spot. There waiting was Connor Gater, who leapt to head his first goal of the season and put City in to the lead.

City pushed for a second and Dylan Hart bundled the ball into the box shortly after the opener, and via a Connor Gater header, but was rightly adjudged to have fouled the keeper on this occasion, and the score stayed at 1-0.

Sleaford’s best chance of the second half came after brilliant work by Fenton, now out on the left, who danced his way past Stoddart and set the ball back for an effort on goal from Francis. His effort was scuffed, however, but meant that the ball fell kindly back at Fenton’s feet, but he wasn’t able to convert. A let-off for City.

As the clock ran down, City would get the chance to seal victory from the penalty spot. Belmonte brilliant nut-megged an onrushing Sleaford defender and sent Izak Reid through on goal with a perfect through ball, and as he rounded goalkeeper Flitton, was brought down. Insall stepped up to take, but saw his effort saved down low to Flitton’s left. Liam Lockett, though, had followed-up well and managed to send the ball back goal-wards and into the back of the net. Two to the good, and City looked home and dry.

In the aftermath of the winner, Ryan Flitton, the outfield brother of Sleaford’s keeper, received a second yellow card and a few minutes’ early shower, and Sleaford would see out the remaining minutes with ten men.

The victory sees City set up a trip to Wolverhampton Casuals in the next round, with the tie to be played on Saturday 11th November.