Match Report from Lewis Howarth

Following on from City’s impressive opening day dismantling of Anstey Nomads, The Faithful were welcomed into Emirates FA Cup action by 466 supporters on a rainy Tuesday evening at Claines Lane. After a 0-0 draw and an abandoned replay, this fixture marked the third meeting between Walsall Wood and City in two weeks.

A superb start from City almost resulted in the deadlock being broken inside the opening minute. Logan Stoddart’s cross picked out Kyle Belmonte whose flicked on attempt flew just wide of the post. City’s persistence continued, and after 12 minutes Zac Guinan was slipped through by Belmonte, and was able to pick out Elliot Hartley, but his attempt was inches wide of the post.

The first chance of the match for Walsall was a free kick from Lycett, with his curled effort going just wide of the city goal. Despite this, City kept persevering and in the 32nd minute a header from Nathan Hayward struck the post, and spectacularly a diving header from a Walsall Wood defender denied Mace on the rebound. Both teams once again, headed into half time all square.

Fascinatingly, this marked over 180 minutes of football played between the two sides where neither team was been able to find the back of the net.

The deadlock between the two sides was almost broken three minutes into the second half when a Wood counter from a rare Dinsley mistake forced Whitcombe into a save, and he managed to gather the rebound. City’s first chance of the second half came in the 55th minute when Will Owens burst onto a loose pass, and then clawed the ball back to Belmonte, but the Walsall Wood defenders managed to see the attempt away for a corner.

However, City made good use of the corner when Adam Mace picked out Charlie Wise, with his effort blocked off the line, which left Elliott Hartley able to set the ball back for City’s number 9, Zac Guinan, to blast the ball into the net. The 466 supporters erupted as City’s relentlessness had paid off.

Guinan almost turned into the provider when he slipped through Elliot Hartley one-on-one with the keeper soon after, but his effort steered wide of the post.

The final twenty minutes were nerve wracking as City looked to hold on against a desperate Walsall Wood. Both teams struggled to create chances with many attempts being blocked or deflected. After five minutes of stoppage time Walsall Wood managed to secure a corner, which resulted in a headed attempt flying high over the bar. With hundreds in anticipation, the referee blew for full time, as City keep their dreams of a good FA Cup run alive.

Following the delays to the replay, City’s focus remains on the FA Cup this weekend as they return to Claines Lane on Saturday to host Dudley Town, with a chance to reach the First Qualifying Round. City fans will remember facing Dudley just weeks ago in their final pre season friendly, running out 2-0 winners away from home on that occassion.