HARD-EARNED WIN

CITY ran out 2-1 winners against Loughborough University in a game whereby we were made to work hard to get the three points.
It was City who created the first chance early on when James Baldwin did well out wide and his teasing cross was met by the head of Dave Reynolds, who went close.
We started off in an extremely fluid fashion with Baldwin in particular seeing plenty of the early ball and his strike was well saved by the visiting ‘keeper.
Mark Danks was next to get into the act when he did well on the edge of the area before seeing his effort dip just over.
With the visitors looking to get into their stride, they were halted in their stride when Albert found the net following a corner.
As the half went on, the visitors started to get some joy as they created a couple of chances in quick succession and they ended the opening period on top.
We came out for the second half with renewed vigour and on 49 minutes Brad Birch linked up well with Dave Reynolds whose strike was saved.
A sweet strike from Mark Danks flashed just wide before Matt Birley gave our visitors cause for concern as he looked to break into the area.
We were desperate for a second goal to kill our visitors off and it came on 62 minutes when Jamie Smith’s cross fell to Danks who drove the ball home with confidence.
Smith then linked up well with Reynolds who was unlucky not to add a third goal before Aaron Brett linked up with Danks for the latter to rattle the woodwork as our visitors clung on.
They were given a lifeline with quarter-of-an-hour to go when a speculative effort took a deflection which saw the ball end up in the back of the net to make it 2-1.
It set up a nerve finish but it looked like we were going to seal it when we were awarded a penalty only for Tyler Weir to see his effort saved.
Again it gave our visitors a boost and they pushed for an equaliser only to see City stand firm to battle out a hard-earned three points.