Match Report from Lewis Howarth

City returned to Claines Lanes on a bank holiday Monday just two days after their 3-1 win away at Loughborough on Saturday. Chris Cornes named an unchanged XI in an attempt to continue City’s 100% start to their league campaign. Lye Town headed into the game looking to pick up their first points of the season having lost three out of three games so far.

Despite this, It was Lye who started the better of the two teams. Their first chance of the game came in the tenth minute when Ball’s curled effort from distance steered inches wide of the goal. In the 18th minute however, City came agonisingly close to an opener. A lovely passage of play between Lockett and Hartley saw Lockett played through one-on-one in behind the Lye defence. Unfortunately, his effort fired comfortably at the feet of the keeper. Seven minutes later, Belmonte’s pressing allowed him to steal the ball off of the opposition, resulting in him shooting from distance with his effort flying over the bar.

City continued to probe and in the 40th minute they got their reward. A corner taken by Lockett resulted in Belmonte getting his head to the ball, whose effort was parried by the goalkeeper. In the midst of all the chaos, Elliott Keightley was able to pounce on the loose ball and smash it into the back of the net, and City had their opener, to the joy of the 643 supporters in attendance. Keightley’s goal was enough to send City into half time with a 1-0 lead.

Six minutes into the second half, Nathan Hayward had a huge chance to double City’s lead. Kyle Belmonte slipped Hayward through with a three on one opportunity. Hayward had Belmonte and Lockett to the side of him, but chose to take the shot himself. His effort was spectacularly saved by the keeper to keep Lye in the game.

However, on the sixtieth minute mark City subbed on Izak Reid for Zac Guinan in an attempt to put the game to bed, and Reid didn’t take long to make an impact. Just six minutes later, he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper thanks to a tremendous pass from Jordan Lymn. Reid calmly poked the ball past the keeper to double City’s lead.

City’s perseverance had paid off and continued to look in control of the game. Just one minute after the goal, Adam Mace’s cross found the head of Izak Reid who looked to get his second of the match, which was agonisingly close and landed just over the bar.

Throughout the rest of the second half, City were in the driving seat. Lye struggled to keep hold of possession and create any clear chances. In the 76th minute City appeared to have gotten their third of the game. In an spectacular attempt at goal from his in swinging corner, Lockett managed to find the back of the net and City supporters began to celebrate thinking they had put the game to bed. However, the referee blew for a foul from Charlie Wise on the goalkeeper for the corner seeing City’s third goal sadly disallowed.

City maintained the majority of the possession in the final fifteen minutes as well as nullifying any potential attacks from Lye. The referee blew for full-time and City picked up another three points. A faultless and professional performance from the boys in blue and white ensured City continue their 100% start to their league campaign.

All focus and attention turns to Saturday as the Faithful travel to the East Midlands for a top of the table clash at Corby Town. Corby sit first in the league having picked up 5 wins and 1 draw from a possible 6 games this season. A huge test for City who look to continue their perfect start to the season.