CITY CRUISE INTO NEXT ROUND

Thornesians 1 Wakefield City 9

City cruised into the 2nd round of the Wakefield Challenge Cup with a 9-1 hammering of Yorkshire Amateur League side Thornesians. The home side knew they were in for a tough afternoon so started quickly, trying to catch the visitors cold. With only 5 minutes on the clock and following some comical defending by City, the hosts took the lead. A quick break down the left hand side caught City napping. 3 defenders failed to clear the ball before it fell straight into the path of the home centre forward who made no mistake from 4 yards out. This forced City to wake up and within 7 minutes they were level. Brad Kilner making a driving forward run was brought down just inside the area and Rob Bloomfield stepped up to smash the penalty home. Kilner got himself on the scoresheet after 15 minutes when a cross was flicked on by Bloomfield and the former cooly tucked the ball past a stranded keeper. Bloomfield's second and Citys third came on the half hour mark when Ryan Southward was tripped in the area - again Citys top scorer making no mistake from the spot. By now the game was completely one way traffic and number 4 wasn't far away. Another great cross from the right hand side found an unmarked Andy McManus who sent a bullet of a header into the top corner. More chances fell to City with Hurst, Bloomfield and Connolly all going close to extending the lead.

HALF TIME: Thornesians 1 Wakefield City 4

The home side had obviously been given a dressing down by management at half time as they came out with a completely different attitude. They pressed City a lot quicker and forced the visitors to up their own game. Although the contest was now tighter the chances being created by the hosts were virutally zero. City defended solidly and as the clock wore down so did the hosts. On 60 minutes Andy McManus rose highest again at the back post to head his second and City's fifth. The hard working Hurst eventually found his name on the score sheet with a well taken goal after 71 minutes and Bloomfield completed his hat trick on 73 minutes with a simple tap in following great work by Ryan Barker down the right hand side. Thornesians were now praying for the final whistle but just minutes later Bloomfield scored his fourth of the game following yet another penalty awarded for a late challenge in the box. City made a few late changes with Dammi Omilabu coming on and making an instant impact out wide and Ben Fisher making his first appearance of the season following an injury pre season. Both players were involved with undoubtably the goal of the game. McManus picked the ball up in his own half before playing a neat one two with Fisher. He carried the ball past 4 home players before finding Omilabu. His quick thinking and inch perfect pass found McManus still ploughing forward who drew the keeper, sat him down 10 yards out, walked around him and rolled the ball into the empty net. A great goal appreciated by all of the spectators who were there to watch the game.

FULL TIME: Thornesians 1 Wakefield City 9

Man of the Match for his overall performance went to Brad Kilner

City: Hale, Hall(c), Sparkes, McManus, Walton, Connolly, Glavin, Kilner, Southward, Hurst, Bloomfield. Subs: Barker, Omilabu, Fisher