Match Preview

It's another trip back down the M5 this Tuesday evening for The Faithful as City take on Slimbridge for the second time in four days, this time in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup Quarter Finals, as Chris Cornes' side continue the hunt for silverware this season.

Confidence is surely high in the squad following recent results, and after Saturday's 4-0 away victory over the same opposition, a convincing result and performance on what had looked a tricky fixture ahead of the game. That victory made it ten wins out of eleven away fixtures in the league this season, and City have only lost once away from Claines Lane all season, that defeat coming in the Worcestershire Senior Cup match at Droitwich Spa. It's an incredible run and one that has set City in a good position across four cup competitions.

One factor that will have no doubt pleased City boss Chris Cornes on Saturday will have been the variety of goalscorers. Kyle Belmonte, Elliott Hartley, Liam Lockett and Cam Monteith got the goals, the 25th and 24th goals of the season for Belmonte and Lockett respectively. Hartley's strike was his second goal in the last three fixtures, whilst Monteith's long range effort was his second of the season, his first coming in the FA Cup against Dudley Town back in early August.

It was a fantastic reward for Monteith who had signed on dual registration terms with Studley FC in the search for more regular game time the previous week, but with the recent injury to Calvin Dinsley, Cam may see his opportunity for City minutes increase over the next few weeks.

Jordan Lymn also proved a worthy stand-in for Dinsley in City's number 8 role, putting in yet another exceptional performance in what has been a solid start to his City career since signing from Evesham United.

Another cup fixture gives Manager Cornes the opportunity to give minutes to a number of his squad players, the likes of Lorcan Sheehan, James Batchelor and Kyonn Evans benefiting from recent fixtures. It will be hugely important for Cornes to keep these squad players fresh ahead of the run-in, with City currently looking at at least 17 fixtures between now and the end of March, and that's without progressing any further in the FA Vase, and Wiseman and Marsh Cups.

Slimbridge meanwhile will be looking for revenge following Saturday's league defeat, and had been in fantastic form themselves, winning their last five league matches in a row. With play-off aspirations for the remainder of the campaign, the Wiseman Cup looks like their last chance of silverware for the season with the club no longer in the Vase, Marsh Cup, or their own County Cup.

Slimbridge AFC play at Thornhill Park, Wisloe Road, Cambridge, Gloucestershire, GL2 7AF. Admission is £7 for Adults, £5 for Concessions and Club Members, with Under 16’s priced at £2, and Under 12’s free.