City Formally See Off Casuals

Saturday saw City run out comfortable winners against relegation-battlers Wolverhampton Casuals at a sunny Claines Lane.

The game started with a scrappy first 15 minutes, with neither side really settling and creating any chances. The first good chance of the game came for Casuals in the 17th minute when Tom Cole crossed from the left and found the head of striker Jordan Wilson, but he was unable to direct his header towards the City goal.

Minutes later, Casuals broke the line and Jordan Wilson found himself through on goal all alone, but an important save from City goalkeeper Adam Harrison kept the score even.

City's terrible luck with injuries bit them again after 28 minutes when Cameron Monteith went down holding his leg. The youngster, who had started brightly was unable to continue, forcing manager Tim Harris in to an early change. He was replaced by fellow youngster Josh Schuck.

City found the breakthrough they were looking for in the 43rd minute. Archie Muirhead dribbled around Casuals’ Kane Auld and was tripped in the area. Reiss Taylor-Randle stepped up from 12 yards and sent the goalkeeper, Jake Daniel, the wrong way.

As the clock ticked in to stoppage time, Callum Debar beat his man and delivered a deep cross to Bailey Fuller alone at the far post. Fuller didn't get a clean connection and Daniel in the Casuals goal cleared with his feet. Seconds later, Demetri Brown’s fantastic low strike from the edge of the box beat Daniel and should have been City's second. The ball clearly crossing the line, and bouncing back out after hitting the wheel of the goal. Unbelievably, the referee and linesman ordered play to continue, and whilst most of the City team were celebrating the goal Casuals hit on the counter attack. Fortunately, their effort was over Harrison's crossbar and out for a goal kick. The referee brought the half to a close with a chorus of boo's from The Faithful.

The second half started much the same as the first half with a scrappy first 15 minutes with both sides feeling themselves back in to the tie. The closest either team came was through a Bailey Fuller free kick which surprised Casuals goalkeeper Jake Daniel and forced him to punch the ball over for a corner.

The Blue And Whites eventually doubled their lead in the 64th minute when Demetri Brown was able to bring the ball down, beat his man and cross it towards the penalty spot. There waiting was Ben Tilbury after his late run and his header flew straight in to the top corner.

City were awarded another penalty in the 72nd minute when Bailey Fuller looked to dribble around the Casuals shot-stopper, Daniel, who had rushed out to get the ball. This forced Casuals defender Musa Ceesay to bundle Fuller to the floor. The referee brandished a yellow card to Ceesay. Reiss Taylor-Randle once again sent the goalkeeper the wrong direction, driving his strike in to the bottom left corner to make it a three-goal lead.

Just five minutes later, Archie Muirhead was able to steal the ball from Casuals’ Musa Ceesay and play the ball to Bailey Fuller, who cut inside onto his left foot and drove his shot powerfully past Daniel into the Casuals net for the fourth time in the game.

Just before added time, City striker Will Gibbons went down after pressing forward. There looked to be no contact, but the City striker was holding his ankle, and clearly in some discomfort. Gibbons was forced off and carried straight to the dressing room by the physio - With City finishing the game with 10 men.

It's a quick turnaround for The Blue And Whites, who are back in action on Tuesday evening when they face off against Pershore Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup final at Bromsgrove's Victoria Ground.

- Match Report by Tuomas Kousa