City book Wiseman Lighting Final Place

City booked their place in the Wiseman Lighting Floodlit Cup Final on Tuesday evening with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Brimscombe & Thrupp, to set up a two-legged final with Roman Glass St George.

With a first Final place of the season at stake, Chris Cornes opted for a strong line-up as he has done so often this season, with only the odd tweak to the line-up. Elliott Keightley came into the starting eleven for Kirk Layton, partnering Chris Knight at the back, and Dylan Hart made a first start since mid-January to lead the line, after returning from a long-term lay-off. Izak Reid also replaced Elliott Hartley on the right wing, with Hartley starting this one on the bench.

City went ahead after 15 minutes when Saturday's match winner, Jordan Lymn, was tripped as he looked to get a shot off at goal, and Dylan Hart made no mistake from the spot when bagging his first goal since returning from injury.

City's goalscorer was then booked for simulation two minutes later, when seemingly brought down by the goalkeeper for a stonewall penalty, but the referee disagreed on that occasion.

The pressure on the visitors didn't relent and Chris Cornes' side continued to press for a second, with Hart and Lockett both having good opportunities to double the lead, but City went into the break 1-0 up and in full control of the tie.

City did manage to make their pressure pay and doubled their lead almost immediately after the break, Belmonte slotting Liam Lockett through to score his 28th goal of the season. City got their second penalty of the evening when Elliott Hartley, a second half substitute, was tripped, and with Dylan Hart having already departed proceedings, Kyle Belmonte stepped up to secure City's place in the Final.

Despite a late flurry of away chances and Haydn Whitcombe being forced into a couple of very smart saves, he managed to keep his clean sheet intact.

City now face a two-legged Final with Roman Glass St George after they came from 2-0 down to beat Abingdon United 5-2 on Wednesday evening, with the Final set to take place over two mid-weeks in March.