CITY SUCCUMB TO DEFEAT

CITY slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Highgate United.
It was end-to-end action in the opening exchanges as Wayne Thomas did well to thwart an attack from the home side, whilst the pace of Josh Sarmento and Alex Tomkinson was causing the Highgate defence concern.
After Matt Gwynne had saved well to keep us on level terms, the home side eventually got their noses in front on 18 minutes through Aaron Brown.
There was more action for Gwynne as he had to be alert to deny former City man, Marco Adaggio before there were loud appeals for a City penalty when George Forsyth’s effort was blocked by a home defender.
It looked like handball, but the referee waved away the protests.
City were certainly pushing on in search of an equaliser as the opening period went on and Nathan Hayward was unlucky as his strike crept narrowly wide.
As we ended the half strongly, we were hit by a sucker-punch when a corner for the home side was headed home by Scott Turner to double their advantage.
Having regrouped at the break, the first opening fell to Highgate but Gwynne was able to save well low down.
An inviting ball from Sarmento looked to play in Mark Danks but the home ‘keeper was alert to clear the danger.
As the half went on, Mark Smith was introduced into the action and thrown up front as we searched for a way back into the game.
It was quite a scrappy affair played on a pitch that was only passed playable in the build-up to the game due to heavy rain.
Our hosts always looked a threat as they went forward and were close to adding a third as the woodwork came to City’s rescue.
We were given a glimmer of hope as the clock ticked down when Dave Reynolds found the net to make it 2-1 and with the home side starting to feel the pressure, James Baldwin broke through only for the ‘keeper to do enough to put him off his stride.
Try as we might, we were unable to find an equaliser as we slipped to defeat.

CITY: Gwynne, Lewis (M. Smith), Weir, Stoddart, Thomas, Hayward, Sarmento, Forsyth, Hughes (Reynolds), Danks (Baldwin), Tomkinson. Subs not used: Deyus, O’Donnell.
ATTENDANCE: 166.