In a fairly quiet first half, both sides had chances to take the lead within the first ten minutes. Firstly, City’s Daniel Nti tested Telford’s James Montgomery in goal, after he received Sam Minihan’s low cross only for his shot to be turned behind by the Telford keeper. From the resulting corner, City centre half Alex Gudger headed off target.

Then came Telford’s best chance to go in front, when Lucas Dawson’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected over Nathan Vaughan and off the crossbar, and the rebound was headed wide.

It continued to be an even affair throughout the half, with neither side able to get a goal. United striker Dave Hibbert’s strike was straight at Vaughan, and Nti had a shot on the half volley for City which went wide.

McCarthy got on the end of a Hibbs cutback for The Bucks but his shot was easily saved by Vaughan. Then City’s top scorer Lee Hughes, who was back in the starting line-up, got behind the United defence but his attempted lob over the onrushing Montgomery was tame and straight at the Telford keeper.

Approaching half time, Vincent hit an early shot 30 yards from goal just wide, and Hughes’ header from a corner went over. City ended the first half on the upper hand.

The first chance of the second half fell to Sean Geddes, whose free kick was palmed away by Montgomery. City failed to make the most of the following throw.

The Bucks then had two chances to take the lead. A Dawson free kick was comfortably dealt with by Vaughan, and Sam Austin cut in from the left only for him to shoot wide.

Finally the breakthrough came on the hour mark, where substitute Wayne Thomas met a free kick from the left, and his header looped over the United keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Moments later, City had a great chance to double their lead. Gudger’s header from a corner was blocked on the line, and the ball somehow didn’t go in during a goalmouth scramble.

However, skipper Ellis Deeney did make it 2-0 from a fantastic free kick. Nti was tripped by former City player Darren Campion, and Deeney, who set up Jamie Smith in midweek from the same range, brilliantly curled the ball over the wall and into the bottom corner.

Telford’s best chance of the second half was a shot by substitute Callum Hassan, which was saved by the legs of Vaughan.

Carl Heeley and Matt Gardiner then brought on Deon Burton for Lee Hughes, and he made an immediate impact. Firstly, he created a chance for Vincent, whose shot was deflected over. Then five minutes from time, Burton killed off any chance of a Telford comeback to make it 3-0 to City. He received the ball from Jackman in the box, and hit a left footed shot on the turn which found the bottom corner.
Burton had the ball in the net again in the dying moments, but he was adjudged to have fouled United’s Curtis Tilt in the process.

A magnificent second half display from City, who now climb to 14th in the Vanarama National League North with this victory.

Report by: Keiren Bullimore