Gater stunner seals City win

Connor Gater scored a "goal of the season" contender as City romped home to a 0-3 win at Steel Park.

With several changes including James Severn making his debut in goal for the club City raced into an early two goal lead before Gater's goal from just inside the visitors half from 50 yards out to make it 0-3.

Gater came in for Ellis Deeney whose partner gave birth the day before and Daniel Nti dropped to the bench after limping off during the 2-1 defeat at Alfreton to be replaced by Ashley Vincent.

Corby got off to a bright start with two long range efforts which both went over the bar, then within the space of five minutes, City were to stun the home team. On six minutes Ashley Vincent played a diagonal ball from the right into the path of Lee Hughes who beat the offside trap, taking the ball down off his chest, before taking the ball across the goal and deftly chipping the advancing keeper Paul Walker from the penalty spot to make it 0-1.

Corby responded immediately with former City player Ashley Sammons shooting inches wide from 25 yards out with James Severn scurrying across his goal line.

On 11 minutes Ashley Vincent, wide on the right, played Lee Hughes in on the edge of the box, Hughes beat his man before setting up Sam Minihan who showed great composure, twisting and turning, delaying his shot with his left foot into the bottom right hand corner to make it 0-2.

Vincent was again involved minutes later, this time sending Sam Minihan forward down the right, who cross found Shaun Harrad in the box but his shot was charged down and he fired over.

Corby had a chance with another former City player Greg Mills crossing from the left only for Cleveland Taylor to head wide. Mills wasn't to last much longer after clashing with Sam Minihan on the half way line & despite trying to play on, had to limp off.

City continued to push forward at every opportunity with Dean Waldron and Connor Gater involved in most moves spreading the ball wide as often as possible as well as looking to put Lee Hughes through.

City were to make a change at half time with Lee Hughes being replaced by Deon Burton.

Corby were again to go close with a long range effort, with Spencer Weir-Daley shooting inches wide from 20 yards out early in the second half.

With the game progressing, City's recent lapses were not to arise and kept possession for long periods, much to the frustration of the home team. Dean Burton flicked on a goal kick from James Severn into the path of Shaun Harrad but his shot was easily saved by Walker.

Corby struck back nearly pulling a goal back on 65minutes but Dean Waldron did enough to force the shot over the bar.

Jamie Smith replaced Shaun Harrad then on 70 minutes the game was as good as over. With Corby pushing forward a long ball was played forward which was cleared by Alex Gudger, the ball was then headed back over the City half way line into the advancing Connor Gater, who immediately spotted Paul Walker off his line, striking the ball from 50 yards out straight over the head of the stretching keeper, who couldn't keep the ball out.

The goal deflated the home side, whose only chance came in the final few minutes with a free kick from 25 yards out which beat the wall & was turned round the post by Severn.

A good win for City with the FA Cup coming up & a contender for goal of the season from Conor Gater.

Att: 596