City knocked out fellow National League North side Brackley Town 2-0 to reach the 1st round of the FA Trophy.

The rain was pouring on a cold afternoon at St James Park, where both sides couldn’t really adapt to the conditions. The first half never really got going, and City arguably had the best chances to take the lead. The first clear cut chance of the match was from City’s Ashley Vincent, who whipped in a free kick from the left only to be tipped over by Sam Hornby. Sam Minihan also had an effort saved from the Saints shot stopper, as he found space on the edge of the box to strike at goal. Brackley’s best moments in the opening 15 minutes came down the left, where Glenn Walker delivered two dangerous crosses, but no one in red and black could take advantage.

Daniel Nti then had a brilliant chance to put City one up, as he beat the offside trap but his effort was thwarted by Hornby and the Brackley defenders were able to clear.

Towards the end of the half, Brackley had a couple of chances to go in front. Firstly, Steve Diggin twisted and turned Wayne Thomas, but curled his shot wide. Then, David Moyo got on the end of a long ball from Stephan Morley, except he headed off target.

During the opening 15 minutes of the second half, there were no real clear cut chances for either side, the best being a David Moyo header for Brackley which was straight at Nathan Vaughan.

However, the breakthrough for City finally came on the hour mark through Ebby Nelson-Addy. The on loan Hartlepool man jinked his way through the Brackley midfield and defence, then slotted the ball past the keeper and into the far corner.

Brackley’s best chance of the match fell to substitute Tom Winters, whose left footed strike from the edge of the box came back off the post and City survived the scare.

City could have the wrapped the game up in the last 10 minutes, with chances falling to Lee Hughes and Daniel Nti. Hughes failed to control Deeney’s free kick in the box, and Nti couldn’t find another City player with his cut back, after his surge with the ball down the left.

That said, Tyler Weir got that all important second goal in the 90th minute. He played a neat one two with Deeney, and fired under Saints keeper Hornby to send City through.

By Keiren Bullimore