DRAMATIC STUFF

CITY played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with League leaders, Coleshill Town, in difficult conditions.
It was the perfect opening for us as within the opening minute, Mark Danks did well to make room for a strike and his low effort found its way into the net beyond the despairing dive of the visiting ‘keeper.
Having won all six of their League games this season, it gave Coleshill a wake-up call and they went close shortly afterwards when an inviting cross found Edmunds who fired into the side-netting.
A counter-attack from City in the 12th minute saw Dave Reynolds make progress before feeding Danks but this time the ‘keeper was alert to the danger.
It was developing into competitive encounter as the rain continued to lash down and Brad Birch saw yellow for a foul before Danks went close again as he was thwarted by a smart double save by Hathaway.
There was another good chance on the half-hour when Birch did well to find Danks whose effort was saved again and from the resulting corner, Jamie Smith fired straight at the ‘keeper.
The visitors had a let-off when Reynolds broke through and rounded the ‘keeper only to see his attempt cleared off the line.
After a teasing ball from Jamie Smith flashed across the face of goal, just evading Danks, the visitors almost levelled as a snap-shot from Edmunds was saved at the second attempt by the returning Matt Gwynne.
It was end-to-end stuff as the opening period came to a close. Albert was brave to block for City whilst Jamie Smith fired wide at the other end.
Our visitors came out with purpose at the start of the second half and they went close early on when Gwynne denied Molesworth.
Skipper, Tyler Weir, was forced out of the action having taken a knock just seven minutes into the second half and the visitors almost capitalised upon the reshuffle straight away when Edmunds whipped in a dangerous ball that just got away from Gardner.
Gwynne did well with a double save from Edmunds and then Gardner, although the latter was offside.
The City ‘keeper was being kept busy as Coleshill looked for a way back into the game.
A free header from Gardner landed inches wide in what was a let-off for City who were guilty of poor marking.
Reynolds went close for City with an overhead kick on 65 minutes but we were very much second best at this stage of the game and it wasn’t long before our visitors got the equaliser that they had threatened when Cole’s long ball played in Evans who slotted home.
Buoyed by the goal, it wasn’t long until Coleshill took the lead as Leek ran at the City defence before arrowing his strike beyond Gwynne.
The ‘keeper had to be called into action again on 77 minutes when he denied Rathbone, as he saved his strike with his feet following some sharp play from Leek in the build-up.
It proved to be a vital stop as City went down the other end and equalised as Baldwin’s pull-back fell into path of Sarmento who lashed home his first goal for the club with ten minutes to go.
There were great scenes just five minutes later when Sarmento notched his second to give us a 3-2 lead when Birch’s cross fell to Baldwin who once more provided the assist.
Coleshill pushed men forward in the closing stages as the pushed for another leveller and Halsall went close, as did Leek who struck the post.
It was deep into stoppage time when City failed to properly clear their lines and the ball fell to Ford who was able to turn it home to give his side a point with virtually the last kick.
This was an entertaining contest and a good advert for this level of football.

CITY: Gwynne, Weir (Chiwara 52), Griffiths, Albert, M. Smith, Hayward, Birch, Forsyth (Baldwin 75), Danks (Sarmento 62), Reynolds, J. Smith. Subs not used: Palmer, Evans.

Attendance: 296.