JUST THE TONIC AS CITY BATTLE OUT WIN

CITY got back into action and recorded a hard-earned 2-0 victory over Shawbury United.
We looked to start on the front-foot as James Baldwin made progress towards the opposition goal during the opening minute, however, he was adjudged to have committed a foul as he looked to break into the area.
It didn’t take long for us to open the scoring, though, as Brad Birch did well on the left before picking out Dave Reynolds who made no mistake.
It was a positive start from John Snape’s side and the returning Josh Sarmento showed good feet moments later before being brought down as he looked to create another opportunity.
The tempo seemed to calm down as the half went on but City were always in control and looking the most likely side.
Baldwin was seeing plenty of the ball and he linked up well with Birch who in turn tried to pick out Alex Tomkinson but his pass was over-hit.
There was a let-off for City when an attack from our visitors ended with Wellings seeing his strike rattle the woodwork and rebound to safety.
It gave the visitors some impetus and Mat Birley did well to thwart another raid shortly afterwards before a corner was headed just wide by Gregory.
Just past the half-hour mark and a free-kick for City in a promising position saw Tomkinson get his strike on target but it was well saved.
There were appeals for a City penalty when the lively Baldwin went down just inside the area, but the referee was unimpressed.
As half-time approached, Tomkinson saw an effort saved as we went in at the break one goal to the good.
Mark Danks was introduced into the action for the second half and he went close with a strike with his first touch.
At the other end, Birley had to be alert to hook Gregory’s header off the line and this was to signal a spell of pressure from the visitors who had some neat passages of play but found City’s back-line in stubborn mood.
We were finding it hard to get into our stride with opportunities limited. Danks did well to find Baldwin but he failed to make a proper connection.
There was another nervy moment for City late on when Evans’ powerful free-kick smashed against the woodwork with Matt Gwynne beaten.
The clinching goal finally arrived right at the death when Baldwin saw his strike hit the post but he was alert to the rebound to fire home and secure three hard-earned points.
It was just the tonic that we needed after recent events.
CITY: Gwynne, Birley, J Smith, Forsyth, Stoddart, Hayward, Sarmento (Danks), Birch, Baldwin, Reynolds, Tomkinson. Subs not used: Hall, Willis, Harris-James, Moran.
GOAL(S): Reynolds, Baldwin
ATTENDANCE: 165.

PHOTOS: Peter Wilcox.