Stearn’s the menace as City ride Storm Dennis to Concord win

City came away from Concord Rangers this afternoon with all three points thanks to Ross Stearn’s 40th minute goal in a storm affected game. With the wind behind them in the first half City penned the home side back for long periods but more often than not balls forward were carried harmlessly out of play. However, five minutes before the break City finally took advantage of the conditions when Joe Raynes’ cross was carried onto the post and Stearn gleefully turned home the rebound. With the elements in their favour Concord would have been optimistic of turning the game around into the second half but it was City who almost struck first when Haig had to turn a Noah Chilvers shot over the bar. Soon the Beachboys were enjoying the vast majority of possession but twice Ryan Clarke produced excellent saves to protect City’s slender lead. As the half progressed Concord’s attacking efforts began to suffer from the same problems City had had in the first half and there were few really nervous moments before the Romans could celebrate a hard-fought return to winning ways.