Report | Controlled and commanding City secure deserved win

City put in a controlled and commanding display to chalk up a deserved 2-0 victory over Chertsey Town.

A neat early move within the opening minutes saw Marcus Day combine with Sion Spence who looked to play through Ed Williams, but the visitors’ back-line was alert to the danger.

It was a purposeful start by City as Jones fed Kane Simpson for his first sight of goal and his strike was on target but well pushed out by Luke Roberts in the visitors’ goal.

Another inviting cross from Jones was cleared ahead of Spence before the visitors looked to make progress on the counter-attack only for Michael O’Regan to clear a ball that was searching for leading scorer, Jack Mazzone.

A dangerous ball from Oliver McCoy was flashed across the danger zone as Harry Emmett made a vital clearance at the back post as the visitors looked to build up a head of steam.

The visitors were almost makers of their own downfall on ten minutes when a loose back pass from McCoy was seized upon by Simpson, who beat the onrushing ‘keeper to the ball but it went agonisingly wide.

It was a let-off for the away team. There was more danger for them as Spence latched on to Harry Pinchard’s through-ball and as the offside flag stayed down, he took an extra touch which meant that the defender was able to get across and clear.

A strike from Simpson flashed just wide as you could clearly see the confidence bursting through in his early play.

Some intelligent play from Ben Richards-Everton saw him bring the ball out of defence and find Spence who in turn looked to find Williams in the middle but Darryl Harrison was able to deal with the threat.

Positive play from Elis Watts saw him make room for a low drive that Roberts was able to push away for a corner which was met by Richards-Everton but he couldn’t direct his header goalwards.

We were having all of the possession and a deep cross from Pinchard saw Marcus Day denied bravely by the ‘keeper as the visitors’ defence was being made to work hard.

More space opened up in front of Watts as he lined up a powerful strike that Roberts touched around the post. As the resulting corner stayed alive, Pinchard put the ball back into the danger zone as Roberts touched over the crossbar.

Still the danger remained and this time it was Jones who was thwarted from a corner before Day fired over with another effort on goal from us.

As half-time approached, appeals for a penalty as Pinchard went down in the area were waved away as we went in at the break level despite posing all of the questions.

It didn’t take us long to get our noses in front after the restart when Spencer climbed well to head home following an inviting cross from Day that picked him out in space.

As the visitors looked for an instant response, Eoin Casey fired well over.

There was another effort from the lively Spence that was on target but on this occasion, Roberts was equal to it to make the save. It wasn’t long until Simpson was able to double our advantage as his powerful strike went in off the underside of the crossbar.

We made a double change on the hour as the two goalscorers were replaced by King Baidoo and Joe Hanks.

The visitors went close when McCoy linked up with Bradley Wilson whose effort went narrowly wide of the mark, then at the other end, Baidoo looked to make something happen as the ball broke to fellow substitute, Hanks, who was unlucky with his attempt.

Another good opportunity opened up for Hanks shortly afterwards as he fired over and then Pinchard put an effort straight down the throat of Roberts.

A loose ball was seized upon by Hanks who then got in an effort at goal which Roberts was able to keep out before Pinchard fired just over in our next raid.

Some good link-up play between Watts and Day saw the latter try his luck, but the effort was blocked as we continued to press with the T-End in good voice behind us every step of the way.

As the clock ticked down, Sopuruchukwu Obieri was unleashed off the bench to replace Day, whilst Daniel Leadbitter and Mitchell Roberts also entered the fray for the closing stages.

Michael O’Regan remained alert to deny Wilson as he looked to make something happen for his side right at the death, but this was very much a controlled and commanding display from City where we fully deserved our victory. The weather may have been dreary, but our performance was bright.

CITY | J. Thompson, Jones (Roberts 88), O’Regan, Williams, Spence (Baidoo 58), Watts, Richards-Everton, Day (Obieri 83), Pinchard, Emmett (Leadbitter 88), Simpson (Hanks 58). Subs not used: -

Booking(s): Emmett, Jones

Goal(s): Spence (49), Simpson (54)

Attendance: 957