City into Semi's after second Slimbridge win of the week

City booked their place in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup Semi Finals on Tuesday evening after a 2-0 victory over Slimbridge, making it successive victories over the same opposition in just a few days.

Ahead of the tie, City boss Cornes opted for a strong starting line-up, but still made five changes to the side that ran out comfortable winners in Saturday's encounter. Joe Stockton came in for an evening between the sticks to give Haydn Whitcombe a night off, and Lorcan Sheehan stepped into the back four in place of Elliott Keightley. Taylor Townsend, a bright spark when coming off the bench on Saturday, earned his first start since re-signing for the club last Friday, with Liam Lockett starting on the bench, and Cam Monteith stepped into midfield in place of Connor Gater, a reward for his goal at the weekend.

Kyonn Evans led the line to complete the changes, with Elliott Hartley continuing on the right flank following his goal on Saturday, and Jamie Insall began the evening from the bench.

Slimbridge themselves made a number of changes to their starting eleven from the weekend, with captain Myron Turner dropping to the bench in place of Marley Thomas, who had begun Saturday's fixture much further forward than right back. Harrison Coker, Bogdan Mara, and Rudi McKinnon also came in.

Similarly to Saturday, City started the brighter of the two sides and found themselves ahead within three minutes. Taylor Townsend beat his man on the left and drove towards the byline, before cutting a cross towards the six yard box where Hartley finished calmly for his second goal in two games, and third in his last four, to take his tally for the season to an impressive twelve in all competitions.

City continued to look the most likely to get the second goal of the game and had good chances through Townsend and Belmonte, but both attackers missed the target with their efforts on goal.

Stockton was called into action for the first time on the evening from a Rudi McKinnon effort on goal, saving low from what ended up being a tame effort. Shortly after Harrison Reeves also let fly with a left footed strike from the edge of the box, but it was too close to Stockton and he was able to catch easily.

A blow for Chris Cornes' side was the forced withdrawal of Cam Monteith before half time due to injury, in what will also be a blow to the play himself after working his way into the Manager's plans again. He was replaced by Liam Lockett, who almost made an instant impact after coming on, turning into space before shooting just wide of Slimbridge keeper Parker's post.

Into the second half and Belmonte brought an early save out of Parker with a low left footed effort, the the Slimbridge stopper was able to deflect wide for a corner. Slimbridge were able to break forward after clearing the resulting set piece, and found an outlet in Harrison Reeves, who drove into the box before firing low with his left foot, only to see his effort rebound off the post.

City would get their second and clinch their place in the semi finals with just over ten minutes left of normal time. Izak Reid, a replacement for Townsend, held the ball up well in the Slimbridge half before releasing to the onrushing Belmonte. His left footed effort was initially saved by Parker but first to meet the rebound was Jamie Insall, another second half introduction, to fire high into the roof of the net and double City's advantage.

Full credit to Jamie with that goal taking him to 20 for the season in all competitions.

With time ticking away, Slimbridge would rattle the crossbar with two headed efforts on goal as they looked to reduce the deficit, but City's back line held firm to record their second clean sheet in a row, which will no doubt have delighted Cornes and his coaching staff.

City will now face either Roman Glass St George or Royal Wootton Bassett Town away from home in the Semi Final of the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup, following their Quarter Final tie on Wednesday evening. Next up for The Faithful though is a home league fixture, the first of the new year, against Lydney Town on Saturday afternoon, a 3pm kick off at Claines Lane.