City leave it late but progress to Vase Fourth Round

Stoppage time goals from Dylan Hart and Kyle Belmonte secured City's progress into the Fourth Round of the FA Vase on Saturday afternoon, sending The Faithful who had made the 400+ mile round trip home happy.

Chris Cornes was forced to rotate his back four, something he hasn't needed to do too much this season, with Adam Mace suspended and replaced at left back by Cam Moneith. A huge boost was the return of Connor Gater in midfield, who had been absent for City's last two matches, and he took position in midfield alongside Calvin Dinsley. Jamie Insall continued from the start up front with Hart starting out on the bench.

The hosts Boston Town started arguably the brighter of the two sides, proving a nuisance from corners with two headed efforts heading just wide of goal. Izak Reid for City was unlucky when a through ball from Belmonte bobbled over his foot and ran out for a goal kick.

The home side were also unlucky not to take an early lead when played through on goal, but a wayward pass around Whitcombe in goal didn't find a blue and white shirt and City made it through to half time with a clean sheet still intact.

City gained more of a foothold in the game in the second half and it was only the acrobatics of a Boston defender that stopped a Kirk Layton half volley from ending up in the back of the net, following a knock-down from a corner. It wasn't all going City's way though and Boston had chances of their own, and a great cut-back across an open City goalmouth was screaming to be tucked away, but luckily for Cornes' men the ball evaded all attacking players.

Belmonte was unlucky not to put City ahead when Liam Lockett linked-up with Conor Gater, with Lockett being played to the byline and delivering a ball back into the box, but Belmonte's effort ended up just wide of goal.

With time ticking on into stoppage time, Belmonte picked up a forward pass from Dinsley and released immediately to Lockett. Taking his defender down the line, he pulled the ball back into the six yard area where Dylan Hart was perfectly positioned to put City in front. Brilliant work by Lockett and a great finish from Hart for his tenth goal of the campaign.

With Boston desperately searching for an equaliser, City kept up the pressure well and continued to knock back long balls and retain possession whenever possible. Following a sliced clearance upfield by Town's goalkeeper, Connor Gater did brilliantly to win possession for Belmonte, who played in Reid. His initial effort was saved well, but the balll rebounded to Belmonte who smashed the ball in, securing the win for City.

City will now face Lichfield in the Fourth Round with the tie to be played at Claines Lane on Saturday 13th January.