FOOTBALL: Patient City rewarded in second half (From The Oxford Times)

FOOTBALL: Patient City rewarded in second half

10:10am Monday 30th January 2012 in Football

Oxford City had to stay patient before second-half goals from Chris Willmott and Andy Ballard secured the victory that keeps them in an Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division play-off position.

It took time for City to break the resistance of a dogged Weymouth side, who had chances of their own in the first half Early on, Warren Byerley set up an oopening for the visitors, but Matt Groves drove wide.

At other end, City’s Marvin Martin drove wide following a good run, while Weymouth keeper Nick Jordan was in action to deny Pablo Haysham.

City held the upper hand. From a Haysham corner, Ballard glanced a header past the far post, while just before half-time, Willmott was unfortunate to see his excellent shot rebound off a post.

At the start of the second half, Mike Ford’s side raised their game and created more chances.

They took the lead after 65 minutes, when substitute Mark Bell’s corner was headed home by Willmott.

James Clarke and Felipe Barcelos might have added to the score, but missed the target before the second goal arrived in the 71st minute.

Bell was again the architect withsome neat play before releasing a pass inside where the Terras defence only half-cleared to Ballard, who fired home from the edge of area.

There was still time for Zac McEachran, brother of the Chelsea and Swansea star Josh, to come on as substitute as City secured a win that moves them one place nearer the leaders.

Oxford City: Mooney, Clarke, Learoyd, Ballard, Lyon (Taylor 74), Willmott, Malone, Benjamin, Haysham (Bell 56), Barcelos (McEachran 81). Subs not used: Blossom, Fleet.

Attendance: 260.