Lockett stars as 10-man City go six clear at top

City managed to hang on with 10 men for the entire second half to secure three points and extend their lead at the top of the table to six, in Saturday’s top of the table clash with Corsham Town.

There was a huge sense of excitement pre-match with the Faithful descending on Wiltshire, at the prospect of City putting further distance between themselves and their opponents on the day. Following his inclusion in midweek, Connor Gater kept his spot in midfield as Cornes made just the one change, with Calvin Dinsley returning in place of Izak Reid. Dylan Hart kept his place following his mid-week hat trick.

City began brightly and were ahead after just three minutes. Kirk Layton won the ball just outside City’s box and played the ball into Belmonte in midfield. Progressing further into Corsham territory, he released left to Lockett, bearing down on the penalty area. He cut inside onto his right foot, past Corsham skipper Mark Cooper, and unleashed a right footed strike which flew past keeper Kelsey and into the back of the net. It was a perfect start for the visitors.

That perfect start got even better when City doubled their lead on 27 minutes. Lockett was hugely involved again, latching on to a clearance from Adam Mace following a Corsham corner. He held the ball up brilliantly despite multiple shirt tugs and attempted tackles from two Corsham defenders, before setting the ball right for Belmonte, who had found space in the middle. After one touch out of his feet, he struck from around 30 yards sending the ball flying into the keeper’s right hand corner, before sprinting off to celebrate with the travelling supporters behind the goal. Clinical stuff from City and they were two up inside half an hour.

It seemed like nothing could go wrong and Lockett again turned provider for City’s third. The men in blue (or turquoise!) kept up the pressure after a Mace cross was cleared, and the ball fell to Lockett on the left. Cutting back he squared for Hartley, who’s left footed drive went through the legs of Corsham defenders and into the bottom corner. City were in dreamland and from this point, looked as if they may already have the game sewn up.

Their afternoon was to take a turn though before the break. Corsham captain Cooper hit the bar following a free kick and good save from Whitcombe, which was cleared by Layton. The resulting throw-in caused carnage, and a goal-line scramble where skipper Mace was adjudged to have handled the ball to stop it going in, and received a straight red card, giving the home side the opportunity to reduce the deficit. Neikell Plumber made no mistake from the spot, meaning City would play the second half with only ten men, and now with just a two goal advantage.

At the break Cornes tweaked his side, bringing on Cam Monteith with Dylan Hart the unlucky player making way for the tactical switch, to cover for the absent Mace. Plummer nearly had his second of the afternoon shortly after the game resumed. Following the ball being bought down in the City box, he drove on the half volley towards goal, forcing Whitcombe into a fantastic save.

More heroics were to follow from City’s number 1. A Corsham ball into the box was inadvertently flicked on by Layton, with the ball looping over Whitcombe’s head, but he made an acrobatic leap to tip the ball over the crossbar. Another long throw minutes later again caused City problems, but Whitcombe was there again to tip over. Layton was also forced to clear one off the line himself after Haydn tipped another onto the post. City were backs against the wall.

With minutes to go, the referee gave the home side their second penalty of the afternoon. Plummer again made no mistake to make it an especially nervy stoppage time for the Faithful.

But City managed to hold on for the remaining minutes to secure the three points that takes them six clear of Corsham with a game in hand, further solidifying their hold on top spot.

Next up is an FA Vase clash this coming Saturday versus Sleaford Town at Claines Lane, 3pm kick off.