City round off busiest week of the season with win at Mangotsfield

Goals from Dylan Hart, Kyle Belmonte and Jamie Insall propelled City to their third win of the week to round off their packed festive schedule, taking ten points from an available twelve in the process with a 3-1 win away at Mangotsfield United.

Despite rounding off the busiest week of the season so far, in which Chris Cornes' side have faced four fixtures between 30th December and 6th January, City's boss didn't rotate his side too much from Wednesday's visit to Roman Glass. Goalscorer Calvin Dinsley was absent from the matchday squad but Connor Gater returned to anchor the midfield in front of the back four. Jordan Lymn also retained his starting spot following the Roman Glass win, whilst Jamie Insall returned to the eleven in place of James Batchelor.

Mangotsfield United had enjoyed a break in midweek having not played since their New Year's Day victory over Worcester Raiders, but it was City who started the brighter of the two sides and were in the ascendancy from the off. Dylan Hart could have put City ahead early on in the match, receiving a cross into the box from Lymn which evaded all home defenders, but his effort was slightly scuffed and received a deflection before trickling past the far post. After winning an initial forward ball in the air, Hart also tried a speculative effort from distance, turning to hit the ball on the volley in one movement, but his attempt was just off target.

Despite the early City pressure, Mangotsfield almost went ahead from a corner, a headed effort towards goal cleared off the line by Jordan Lymn, to keep the scores level. Haydn Whitcombe was also forced into a smart save from a cross-come-shot from Mango's winger Will Ashton, tipping the ball over the bar.

It would be City's in-from number 9 who would break the deadlock, however. After his initial good work in keeping the ball in play and winning a corner, Dylan Hart rose highest at the back post from Adam Mace's resulting set piece, making a connection possibly with his chest or thigh rather than his head, but the ball nevertheless ended up in the back of the net. Dylan Hart's sixth goal in his last six games.

City continued to press and almost had a second from another set piece, this time from a corner swung in from Belmonte on the opposite side to the opener, but his cross evaded everyone in the Mangotsfield penalty area. Minutes later, however, it was Adam Mace turning provider again, sending Belmonte clear with an inch-perfect ball around the home defence and into the penalty area. Kyle's finish on his left foot was excellent, driven low into the bottom corner and out of reach of Mango's keeper Oakes, to double City's advantage in the first half.

Special appreciation also for City's left back and skipper-come quarterback Adam Mace, too. That's now five assists and a goal in City's last five matches from their skipper, providing a real attacking threat as well as leadership and defensive solidity to the side in recent weeks.

Into the second half and it was City again who started the brighter. After numerous failed clearances from the Mangotsfield back line, Dylan Hart smartly flicked a ball in behind for Jamie Insall, making no mistake by meeting the ball on the half volley first time, smashing the ball into the back of the net. Just three minutes into the second half, and City were three goals to the good.

Four minutes later, though, Mangotsfield managed to pull a goal back. A sliced goal kick from City's Whitcombe wasn't flicked on past the back four, and a forward ball led to Jadyn Crosbie, the league's top scorer, being sent clear. He made no mistake, driving an effort straight down the middle and past Whitcombe, to take his own tally for the season to an impressive 29, with 22 of those coming in the league.

City didn't let their heads drop and Liam Lockett, dancing through Mangotsfield defenders, created a good chance for Jordan Lymn, but he wasn't able to get good connection on the effort which trickled into the hands of Oakes.

As the clock ticked on, though, Mangotsfield managed to gain a real foothold in the game and created a number of chances. Crosbie was denied his second of the game and 30th in all competitions for the season by a really strong save by Whitcombe, and from the resulting corner did have the ball in the back of the net, but the referee blew for a foul in the box and awarded City a free kick. Adam Mace also got back well to deflect a late effort on goal behind for a corner kick to keep City's two goal advantage.

City held on and battled well to secure another win, their 18th from 23 league games, and round off the week strongly. Cornes' men can now enjoy a rare midweek break ahead of next Saturday's FA Vase visit of Lichfield City, a chance this week to recover from a crazy but successful week.