City open pre-season campaign with Larkhall victory

City opened their pre-season campaign this evening with a 3-1 victory over Larkhall Athletic at Plain Ham Stadium.

Newly anointed captain Joe Raynes was the star of the first half as he created two goals. On 18 minutes his cross was headed home by Jordan Tillson to give City the lead. In the 33rd minute his pass sent a trialist clear and he rounded Larks keeper Armstrong before rolling the ball home. The scorer was replaced before the restart by Reuben Reid and he was twice denied by Armstrong as City continued to control the game.

Another smart block by Armstrong denied Reid on 49 minutes. Just past the hour mark City made it 3-0 as another trialist cut in from the right flank and saw his attempted cross curl beyond the keeper into the top corner. Danny Greenslade struck the top of the crossbar from a free-kick five minutes from time but it was the home side who completed the scoring a minute later – Gardner netting from the penalty spot.