City secured an emphatic 6-1 victory away at Rugby Town on Saturday afternoon, delivering a breathless second-half performance that left the crowd in amazement.
The first half was a balanced affair, with Rugby showing promise going forward. Former City forward Michael Taylor was a constant threat to centre-backs Charlie Wise and Hayden Reeves. Taylor had the game's first major chance, breaking through on goal and rounding Whitcombe, only for a last-ditch tackle by Reeves to dispossess him and clear for a corner.
City soon created two excellent opportunities of their own. Charlie Wise connected with a floated Lockett corner but couldn’t steer his header on target. Moments later, Taylor Townsend struck the outside of the post from a well-placed Zac Guinan cross.
Despite City’s pressure, it was the hosts who struck first. After a recycled ball was whipped back into the box, Liam Francis rose highest to nod past a rushing Haydn Whitcombe, putting Rugby Town ahead at the break.
City emerged revitalized in the second half, launching a memorable spell of football that will live long in the memories of those present.
The comeback began in the 49th minute. Zac Guinan surged down the left, cut inside, and found Kyle Belmonte in space. The midfielder curled a precise effort past the Rugby keeper to level the score.
Just a minute later, City went ahead. Felix Miles controlled the ball six yards out, skillfully evaded a defender, and slotted it home to put City in the lead.
Only three minutes later, Lymn burst down the wing from right back, delivering a powerful low cross to the front post. Guinan met it with a first-time finish, beating the keeper at the near post to extend City’s lead.
Guinan struck again in the 55th minute, capitalizing on a poor clearance from the Rugby keeper. Sprinting past the defender, he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, scoring his second goal in quick succession.
The goal-fest continued, with Felix Miles seizing on a wayward header back to the keeper. He rounded the keeper, celebrated before even tapping it in, and nudged the ball home from close range. It was five goals for City in a whirlwind ten-minute period.
Deflated, Rugby lost their first-half momentum, allowing City to dominate. Manager Chris Cornes made several changes, bringing on striker Dylan Hart, who quickly wrapped up the scoring. With his first touch, Hart met an inswinging corner and directed it into the side netting.
The win consolidates City’s 5th-place position in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division. They’ll face Coleshill Town next Saturday at Claines Lane.