Dinsley first half strike books City's Marsh Final spot

A first half header from Calvin Dinsley booked City's spot in the Marsh Challenge Cup Final on Saturday afternoon, sealing a 1-0 win over Letcombe in a match where both sides will have felt they could have scored more.

With the league title now secured, and a place in the final at stake, City fielded a strong outfit with Hart, Lockett, Belmonte, Hartley, and Dinsley all returning to the starting line-up. Logan Stoddart and Chris Knight also returned to the back four, with Monteith and Keightley dropping to the bench.

The new record attendance for Letcombe's ground almost saw their team go in front in the early stages, when Whitcombe was forced into an early stop from Josh Fowler, which Dan Timbrell couldn't poke home on the second attempt. As City began to settle into the game, Belmonte saw a long-range effort saved well by Letcombe keeper Whitehead.

The breakthrough came on 21 minutes. After good work from Dylan Hart chasing what looked like a lost cause of a ball on the left, he drew a foul from a Letcombe man and won a free kick close to the home byline. Liam Lockett delivered the resulting free kick and found Dinsley unmarked, who rose highest to power his header into the back of the net. After some early pressure from both sides, Dinsley's header put City in front.

Letcombe didn't let their heads drop though and after some sloppy on the ball defending from City at the back, swept forward and saw an effort cleared off the line by Adam Mace, who had gotten back behind Whitcombe to keep the ball out of the net. That was a huge let off for City heading towards the half time break.

Fowler later drew a fantastic save from Whitcombe. After his initial effort was well blocked, the ball fell kindly to his feet on the edge of the area, and he shaped up to curl an effort into the top corner with his left foot. Whitcombe got across fantastically though to tip the effort round the post.

Letcombe again started the second half on the front foot and were inches away from an equaliser. A difficult cross was spilled by Whitcombe landing at the attacker's feet, but he wasn't able to get anything on the rebound which would have drawn the sides level, as City were able to clear.

City should have got their second of the game when a fantastic diagonal ball forward from Mace found Stoddart. His cross was initially tipped away by the goalkeeper but only as far as Elliott Hartley, unmarked from twelve yards running on to the ball. He couldn't keep his effort down though, and fired over the bar from close range.

Lockett drew a smart save from Whitehead before Stoddart had a good opportunity which he too fired over from inside the penalty area. City had really begun to find their rhythm and the crossbar was all that stood between Belmonte and a City second, hitting the woodwork from around 25 yards.

Hartley did find the back of the net but only after the ball had bounced up and hit him on the arm, with the referee ruling that one out for handball.

Hartley, Belmonte and Lockett each had further chances to extend the lead, but the scoreline stayed at 1-0 and City secured their place in the Marsh Challenge Cup Final, to be played on Monday 6th May.

Next up for City is a trip the Playoff finalists Cinderford on Monday evening.