Late Hayfield strike secures FA Trophy win

A late Dan Hayfield goal was enough to see City beat Boreham Wood at Twerton Park this afternoon and secure a place in the FA Trophy 4th Round. It was a fully deserved victory against the higher division side as only veteran keeper Ashmore kept his side in the game with several excellent stops.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening half hour, although the strong wind blowing across Twerton Park made for difficult conditions for both sides. Will Buse was called into early action on five minutes, easily gathering Whelan’s tame effort, then was equal to a more testing 24th minute shot from Sousa. However, this was a rare threat on the City goal and as the half progressed they began to gain a foothold in the game. On 36 minutes Jordan Thomas broke clear from Joe Raynes’ pass but Ashmore blocked his shot. The half ended with Ewan Clark fashioning a shooting chance but he took one touch too many and the danger was cleared.

Luke Russe’s well-struck volley was turned away three minutes after the restart by Northmore before Ndlovu dragged Boreham Wood’s best opening well wide. Ashmore was again at his best to keep out a Cody Cooke shot on the hour as City began to get on top. Payne incredibly escaped with just a booking for a shocking 67th minute foul on Thomas then six minutes later Ashmore blocked a shot from the City winger with his legs. The referee waved away handball appeals against Ndlovu as City continued to press and it looked as if the Hertfordshire side would hold out to take the game to penalties. This all changed with four minutes left when Dan Greenslade’s cross field ball was headed into Hayfield’s path by Cooke and he swept the ball into the corner of the net. City saw out the remaining time with no real scares to record a second successive win over National League opposition at this stage of the competition.