HONOURS EVEN

CITY had to settle for a share of the spoils from a 1-1 home draw with Rugby Town.
The first chance of the game fell to City with nine minutes on the clock when some neat play between George Forsyth and Alex Tomkinson saw the latter deliver an inviting ball onto the head of Gomes but the visitors’ defence was alert to clear.
We were looking the most likely side early on and Dave Reynolds got in a header that flew just over.
A free-kick in a promising position saw Forsyth get in a strike that took a deflection which saw the ball creepy just wide of the target.
Our early pressure was rewarded on 22 minutes when we broke the deadlock to take the lead when Tomkinson’s cross was met with an acrobatic effort from Reynolds that saw the ball fly past the despairing dive of the ‘keeper.
It was a fine finish from the City marksman but it acted to bring our visitors to life as Wiggins-Thomas went close.
There was a great chance for Gomes to double our lead when Reynolds does well out wide to deliver the ball to the far post but he missed from a good position.
At the other end, Kolodynski brought a fine save out of Matt Gwynne and as the ball spills loose, it is scrambled away.
In stoppage time at the end of the first half, the visitors managed to get back on to level terms when Hendrie was on hand to beat Gwynne after getting away from Jordan Stoddart.
The second period started with Gwynne having to be alert to save with his legs, whilst we went down the other end and almost found a way through as Robinson was denied.
It was an open start to the half with both sides fancying their chances. Some positive play out wide from Jamie Smith saw him make good progress before seeing his teasing cross headed behind for a corner as Reynolds lurked with intent.
The next attack saw Ethan Moran do well to tee up Reynolds whose attempt is deflected wide of the target.
As the half went on, City were starting to see more of the ball in attacking situations with Reynolds in particular making his presence felt and causing the visitors all sorts of problems.
On 67 minutes Robinson got in a low strike that was well saved whilst Tomkinson and then Reynolds also went close in quick succession as we pushed for a winning goal.
We still had to be wary of our visitors on the break and Gwynne produced a great save to thwart them from a free-kick before Belcher saw his effort strike the underside of the bar and bounce to safety.
The closing stages saw both teams searching for a winning goal in what was an entertaining encounter. Ambalu entered the fray and within seconds he went close whilst Mark Smith headed a corner onto the woodwork.
The same player then went close right at the death as he latched onto Nathan Hayward’s intelligent ball. There was still time for a Forsyth free-kick right at the death but it failed to trouble the ‘keeper as this breathless game ended 1-1 with the points shared.

CITY: Gwynne, Chiwara, J Smith, Stoddart, M Smith, Hayward, Gomes (Moran), Forsyth, Robinson (Danks), Reynolds (Ambalu), Tomkinson. Subs not used: Halil, Przybek.
BOOKING(S): Forsyth, J. Smith
GOAL(S): Reynolds
ATTENDANCE: 303.