CITY SECURE HARD-EARNED WIN

CITY bounced back from the last game with a hard-earned 1-0 victory at Coventry Sphinx.
We found ourselves under pressure early on as Harkin went close for the hosts within the opening minute then Downie looked to make something happen only for George Forsyth to make a timely intervention.
The first real opening for City didn’t arrive until the 20th minute when Dave Reynolds linked up with Alex Tomkinson who’s cross found Mat Birley and his shot on the turn was well saved by the home ‘keeper.
Both teams were showing plenty of determination and commitment as the opening period went on and we eventually broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when a corner was delivered invitingly to the back post where Lee Hughes was on hand to head home.
As we looked to double our advantage, Hughes went close with a strike that lacked the necessary power to beat the ‘keeper.
The windy conditions were making it tricky for both teams. Stoddart was booked for a robust challenge before Birley saw a strike fly just over as we ended the opening period strongly.
Right on the stroke of half-time, a corner from Tomkinson caused all sorts of problems for the ‘keeper who was rather relieved to see Reynolds’ strike headed away from in front of goal by one of his defenders.
Leading 1-0 going into the second period, we went close when Reynolds seized upon some sloppy play before launching an attack that saw Birley cross for Hughes who nearly forced the ball home as he fell to the ground.
After Forsyth had seen yellow, an acrobatic effort from Hughes was saved whilst Reynolds looked to break through in the next attack but the home ‘keeper was alert to the danger.
City were reduced to ten men on 66 minutes when Bekir Halil was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident.
It meant that our hosts were galvanised and City had to defend in numbers to keep them at bay as they searched for a leveller.
Vaughan did well to deny Harkin as Wayne Thomas was introduced to add some defensive steel to the City back-line.
The closing stages of the game were not pretty but we managed to restrict our hosts to just half-chances to frustrate them and secure maximum points and a return to winning ways.

CITY: Vaughan, Halil, Weir, M. Smith, Stoddart, Forsyth, Birley, Birch, Hughes (Baldwin), Reynolds, Tomkinson (Thomas). Subs not used: Moran, Harris-James, Gwynne.
BOOKING(S): Stoddart, Forsyth, Weir
RED CARD: Halil
GOAL(S): Hughes