MATCH REPORT: City leave it late to maintain title push

For the second time this season, City were pushed hard by Ipswich, but for the second time they emerged 3-2 winners from a tough game.

City didn’t play anywhere near their best, but managed to dominate the opening stages before conceding a goal on the counter attack. Cameron Goodey wade two fine saves, but the Ipswich striker managed to convert at the third attempt.

That shock roused City who equalised soon after when fine attacking play from Brendan Andrews earned a short corner which quickly became a penalty stroke. Joe Finding converted it to send his side into the interval on level terms.

After a few strong words from the management team, City started the second half brightly and again created numerous chances due to good forward work from Ambler, Will Astbury and man-of-the-match Nathan Foad.

The lead finally came when a short corner broke down and captain Booth converted the loose ball to make it 2-1. Full back James Fisher then came to close to finishing off a slick move for City before moments later inadvertently deflecting a mishit Ipswich corner strike into the opposite corner of the goal to make the scores level with just 10 minutes to go.

But City kept calm, continued to work the play and won another penalty corner. Youngster Andrews remained composed to execute his element of the routine superbly and Ambler added the finishing touch to make it 3-2. The remainder of the game was then expertly managed to close out the three points.

City remain a point behind St Albans and Old Loughtonians, but have a game in hand on both. The top two play each other on Saturday (March 18) when City host mid-table Letchworth.