CITY HAVE TO SETTLE FOR A SHARE OF THE SPOILS AT STOURPORT SWIFTS

CITY played out a 1-1 draw with neighbours, Stourport Swifts.
Chances were few and far between in the opening exchanges as the game was played on a slick surface.
Nathan Hayward was seeing plenty of the ball for City and trying to make things happen as both teams looked to make their mark.
As we upped the pressure, the home side had to defend in numbers to deny Baldwin and then Tomkinson.
There was a good save by the home ‘keeper on the half-hour mark to deny Ambalu after he did well to beat his marker before making room for a powerful strike at goal.
We were looking the most likely side as the opening period went on with Ambalu seeing another good effort cleared by the home back-line.
The home side were proving to be stubborn opponents as they denied Dave Reynolds time and space as he looked to send us in at the break in front and so the scoreline remained locked at 0-0.
The second period started with us once more in purposeful mood and we had an early shout for a penalty turned down.
However, against the run of play, our hosts took the lead on the hour-mark as McPherson fired home beyond the reach of youngster, Sean Dayus in the City goal.
We refused to let our heads drop, though, and James Baldwin did well out wide before getting in an inviting cross which saw the home ‘keeper punch clear under pressure from Ambalu.
Some neat link-up play between Tomkinson and substitute, Ben Robinson, saw the latter get in a strike that was saved and as the ball fell loose, Robinson tried to set up Tomkinson in front of goal only for the home defence to get numbers back to clear the danger.
Another effort from Robinson was bravely blocked before we finally got the equaliser that we deserved when Jamie Smith crossed for Hayward at the far post and he made no mistake to make it 1-1.
Despite our best efforts we were unable to turn our possession into a winning goal as we were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

CITY: Dayus, Birley, J Smith, Stoddart, Forsyth, Hayward, Baldwin (Robinson), Gomes, Ambalu (Moran), Reynolds, Tomkinson (Lockett). Subs not used: Danks, Keasey.
BOOKING(S): Gomes
GOAL(S): Hayward