BRAGGING RIGHTS FOR CITY

CITY had the bragging rights in this local derby as we ran out convincing 4-1 victors over Stourport Swifts.
Some positive early play from Nathan Hayward saw him cause concern for the visitors as we looked to start on the front-foot.
The visitors went close with a header that dipped just over before they fell behind with 19 minutes on the clock when Dave Reynolds managed to get the ball over to the far post where Lee Hughes found space to head home.
Boosted by the goal, we went straight back on the attack and it ended with Brad Birch brought down inside the area for a penalty.
Hughes stepped up and whilst he saw his effort saved by the ‘keeper, he was alert to the rebound to make it 2-0.
We were well on top at this stage with James Baldwin in particular seeing plenty of the ball and posing a number of questions for our opponents.
An effort from Birch flew over before Hughes was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick when his strike beat the ‘keeper only to be cleared off the line by a Swifts’ defender.
In a rare foray forward, the visitors tried to lob Matt Gwynne as they broke through the middle but the ball went over the crossbar.
At the other end, Hughes did well to make room for a strike but he blazed well over from a good position as we went in at the break two goals to the good.
Our visitors made a couple of changes at the break as they looked for a way back into the game, but they were relieved to see an offside flag rule out Alex Tomkinson’s effort in the opening exchanges of the second period.
Reynolds and Tomkinson both went close as we continued to boss the game, whilst Birch headed inches wide from a corner.
Another neat move ended with Reynolds seeing his effort blocked by the ‘keeper as the rebound fell to Hughes whose cheeky effort hit the side-netting.
There was a booking for Weir before we deservedly extended our lead when George Forsyth found the net with a sweet low free-kick from distance.
Our visitors managed to reduce the arrears through Nick MacPherson before normal service was resumed as Birch went close and then Tomkinson had an effort scrambled off the line.
The fourth goal finally arrived when substitute, Mark Danks, broke free before getting in a strike that beat the reach of the ‘keeper.
The closing stages saw Gwynne called into action on a couple of occasions to make some smart saves as we ran out worthy winners with a convincing display.

CITY: Gwynne, Weir, J. Smith, Stoddart, Forsyth, Hayward, Baldwin (Sarmento 63), Birch, Hughes (Danks 72), Reynolds (O’Donnell 85), Tomkinson. Subs not used: Dayus, Thomas.
ATTENDANCE: 387.