City held at home by Slimbridge

City’s exceptional winning run in the Hellenic League came to an end on Saturday afternoon as Slimbridge frustrated Chris Cornes’ men, becoming just the third team to take points off them so far this season.

Ahead of kick off there were changes to the as-usual starting line up we have seen in recent weeks, with Cam Monteith coming in to replace the suspended Adam Mace at left back, and Izak Reid returned to the starting eleven in place of the absent Kyle Belmonte.

Elliott Hartley also took his place on the right wing in place of Dylan Hart, again another absentee form Saturday’s squad.

City started the brighter of the two teams, and inside the first ten minutes created fantastic opportunities for Insall and Lockett, the former hitting the post with an acrobatic bicycle kick, and then the crossbar with a close range header.

Slimbridge had chances of their own in the first half though, forcing a routine save from Whitcombe from a free kick, but also creating a brilliant opportunity for Theo Clayson, where he should have done much better but sliced his effort over the crossbar.

Kirk Layton’s speculative effort from 30 yards just before half time drew a save from Slimbridge keeper Ellis Parker, but Elliott Hartley was unable to convert with the follow-up.

Early in the second half it looked like City may rue their number of missed chances, when Slimbridge took the lead through Theo Clayson. A long ball upfield from left back Prictor was brought down brilliantly by Will Hawes, before feeding the ball right to Clayson who arrowed a fantastic effort into the back of the City net. It seemed as though Slinbridge’s game plan was working.

Not content with one though, it could have been two or three with Hawes and captain Myron Turner both missing chances to put the visitors further ahead.

The equaliser came on 67 minutes. Substitute James Batchelor did well to stop a Slimbridge turnover with City mounting pressure, and City were able to recycle the ball out to Logan Stoddart on the right. His perfect cross into the box found Insall unmarked to nod home and bring the scores level.

With the wind in their sails City continued to press for a winner, with Izak Reid going close with a fantastic effort from outside the box, and Connor Gater going close when his effort was blocked from a Reid corner.

The home side were presented with a glorious opportunity to take all three points from the game when Reid was brought down in the Slimbridge box near the byline with just five minutes of normal time remaining. Confident after a good performance, Reid stepped up to take the penalty, but got under the ball too much and his effort ballooned over the crossbar, an unfortunate end to what was a good performance from City’s no.10.

1-1 was how the game stayed and City missed an opportunity to go top of the league table with title rivals Corsham also drawing by the same scoreline. Next up for Cornes’ side is another home fixture against Cinderford Town in the Marsh Challenge Cup on Tuesday evening, a 7.45pm kick off.