Magpies ease to 3-0 victory to leave City on relegation brink

City lost 3-0 against Maidenhead United this evening to leave them ten points from safety with just six games remaining.

An strong early run by Jaiden Putman was well defended but, playing down the York Road slope, the play-off chasing hosts were soon fully in control of the game. The pressure finally told on 30 minutes when a corner was only half-cleared and Popoola lashed home a left-foot shot from 10 yards. City enjoyed a rare spell of possession after the goal, Reubin Sheppard getting their first shot on target on 37 minutes. However, normal service was soon resumed and right on half-time the Magies doubled their lead from the penalty spot. A great passing moved ended with Owen Windsor bringing down Mitchell-Lawson and Umerah made no mistake from the spot. City ended the half with keeper Van Stappershoef producing a fine save to turn Putman’s shot over the bar.

City were more competitive after the break but couldn’t turn this improvement into clear goalscoring openings. And any hopes of an unlikely comeback disappeared with 20 minutes left when Pendlebury headed home a corner to make it 3-0. The Berkshire side were content to see the game out after this and stretch City’s winless run to 14 games ahead of the A4 Derby against Chippenham Town at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Friday.