A GOOD NIGHT’S WORK

CITY chalked up another convincing League win as we ran out 5-0 winners against AFC Wulfrunians.
It was the visitors who threatened first when a free-kick found Hunt who was denied by a block from Gwynne.
As City looked to get into our stride, Hughes floated over a cross that just evaded Birley before Hughes himself tried his luck from distance in the next attack, but he was off target.
The deadlock was finally broken when Hughes caused more problems and his ball across the area found Birch who made no mistake.
It was soon 2-0 when a well-worked corner saw Jamie Smith pick out Reynolds who was able to guide the ball beyond the reach of the ‘keeper from close range.
There was a great chance to extend our lead when Tyler Weir was brought down inside the area for a penalty which Hughes stepped up to take but fired wide and injured himself in doing so.
It was to prove to be the joint manager’s last involvement in the action as he was forced to gingerly hobble from the field.
Some alert defending from skipper Weir saw him clear Hunt’s looping header off the line as the visitors looked for a response.
They almost fell further behind, though, when Birley did well to create an opening for himself but his strike was wayward.
Gwynne did well to turn over a header from Stevens from close range to keep his clean sheet intact and it was as our visitors were starting to threaten that we added a third goal when a deep cross from Birley was headed home at the far post by Reynolds.
It gave us a convincing three-goal lead to take into the second period and we came out full of purpose after the restart with Birley making things tick.
A lapse of concentration at the back from City almost presented Wedderburn with a chance but his strike was straight at Gwynne.
The fourth goal finally arrived on 66 minutes as Reynolds turned provider to set Danks through and the substitute beat the offside trap before slotting home with much aplomb.
Reynolds was hunting his hat-trick and was unlucky to see an effort deflected just over before another strike was blocked in front of goal.
The excellent Birley was unlucky from distance before Reynolds was taken off as a precaution after picking up a knock.
A miserable night for the visitors was complete late on when Hunt saw red for two bookings, although they went close on a couple of occasions through Anaebonam, the second of which was well saved by Gwynne.
In stoppage time, Danks grabbed another goal as he strode through before slotting home to make it 5-0 and a good night’s work for City.

CITY: Gwynne, Weir (c), Griffiths, Fishwick, M. Smith, Hayward, Birley, Birch, Hughes (Danks), Reynolds (Brett), J. Smith. Subs not used: Baldwin, Albert, Harris-James.

Attendance: 286.