Report | Professional performance as City progress

City produced a professional display on Tuesday to progress in the Emirates FA Cup courtesy of a commanding 4-0 victory at Mangotsfield United.

We made a purposeful start to the game as Harry Emmett was denied within the opening minutes as he nipped in front of the ‘keeper only to see the covering defender get across to make an important block for his team.

It wasn’t long before we seized the initiative, though, as a free-kick was delivered into the area and found Ben Nugent, who was able to take a touch before feeding Tom Owen Evans, who made no mistake as he fired home.

As we continued to apply the pressure, Ethan Dunbar had a number of penalty appeals turned down as the home team were forced to defend for their lives.

Their resistance was broken for a second time ten minutes from the break when a neat passage of play ended with Harry Williams finding space inside the area and he was able to fire home into the far corner of the net to give the ‘keeper no chance.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Dunbar finally won a penalty after he took a good touch inside the area before being felled by a robust challenge.

It was Ashley Hemmings who stepped up and he stayed cool to convert from the spot and send us in to the interval three goals to the good and well in control of proceedings.

We started the second period in much the same vein as the first half, asking plenty of questions of our hosts.

After another sharp move ended with the ball flashing agonisingly across the face of goal with no-one on hand to apply the finish, the home team launched a rare foray forward which ended with young debutant goalkeeper, Phil Chovanec called into action as he was alert to deal with a through-ball.

There was controversy on the hour-mark when the ball appeared to go in from Hemmings before hitting the wheel arch inside the goal and bouncing into the arms of the goalkeeper. No goal was the verdict of the match officials.

It mattered not as we were already well ahead and our lead was further extended late on when Josh Keyes showed good feet to beat two men before finishing well to make it 4-0 and complete the scoring.

It proved to be the last action on a night when we were well in control of proceedings to earn our place in the next round where a trip to AFC Totton of The National League South awaits next weekend.

One of the stories of the night came with a first senior start in goal for academy product, Phil Chovanec, who replaced the suspended Jared Thompson and went on to keep a clean sheet.

“The lads protected me well,” said Chovanec. “It was a professional performance where we were quite comfortable throughout.

“I didn’t have too much to do, but I was happy with what I did when called upon and it’s always nice to keep a clean sheet, especially in such a significant game for me personally.

“My dad and my girlfriend were here to watch me, so it was a proud moment with the main thing being that the team won and was able to progress into the next round.

“It was great to be asked to step in for this game. I have enjoyed working with Jared and Conor [Goalkeeping Coach]; they have made me feel welcome and I have learned a lot from them as they both have so much experience.

“Hopefully I can keep working hard and learning so that I am ready when further opportunities such as this present themselves to me.

“I enjoyed playing in front of the travelling City fans and they gave the team such tremendous backing throughout the evening.

“It was an experience I won’t forget and it has whetted my appetite for more.”

Image: Connor McCarthy