Four of the best goals likely to be seen at Milton Road this season secured all three points, kept the unbeaten run going and gave a good crowd great value for money.

Manager Gary Roberts paired Dave Theobald and Lee Chaffey in defence, relegating Laurie Stewart to the bench. Adie Cambridge came back in midfield and up front, John Frendo was preferred to Steve Gentle. There were a couple of new names to many in the squad in the shape of Matt Mitchell and Angus McLachlan.

Both teams started the game with positive intent, Ash Fuller setting up Frendo on just 30 seconds, the striker seeing his shot blocked. Seconds later, the Railwaymen were on the attack, forcing a corner on the right which was headed clear.

With two minutes on the clock, City were on the score sheet, thanks to good work from Neil Midgley on the left. Finding a little space, the number ten pulled back a cross to the top of the area. Tony Burke was well placed to accept the ball but instead let it through to the incoming Robbie Nightingale who hit the ball first time from the top of the box and past Matthew Trott to open the scoring with a delightful effort.

Didcot showed they were up for the fight when during the ensuing 20 minutes they took the game to City and showed what potential they had.

On eight minutes, Philip John had the first of several efforts of the afternoon when he drove a decent chance straight at Zac Barrett. A minute later, Mark Draycott was given a gift-wrapped free header which he put just wide when he should have tested Barrett and on 14, John was ruled offside after being put in with a threatening diagonal ball.

A couple of City errors let in Didcot on 17 minutes. First, Tom Pepper was dispossessed in midfield which lead to Lee Chaffey fluffing a clearance, allowing the ball to fall to Michael Bartley, who had his shot blocked when in truth he should have stretched Barrett. Two minutes later Draycott linked well with John who rather wasted the opportunity by shooting into the City keeper’s arms.

In truth during this period, Didcot really should have converted at least one opportunity and had they done so, the Lilywhites’ faithful couldn’t have complained. But the combination of indifferent finishing and good keeping kept the score sheet blank.

At the other end, City showed they were up for more goals, first on 6 minutes when Pepper’s aerial ball found Midgley who curled a good shot inches wide of the post and then five minutes later when Fuller smashed a shot straight at Trott – perhaps this was his range-finder that was to help him find the target later on?

While not being on their heels, it would be fair to say that following the goal, City weren’t having the best of the game. However, that counted for nothing on 21 minutes when Cambridge’s throw in down the left eluded the Didcot defence and found Burke. The tricky winger did exactly what defences hate – he ran straight at them and they obligingly backed off. As he made his way into the area it looked likely that he was square the ball back – but instead he dropped his shoulder, straightened up his run and bore down on goal before unleashing a blast that doubled City’s lead.

The goal took whatever wind there was out of Didcot’s sails and the threat they had presented disappeared. City had two decent chances, the first on 24 when Cambridge slipped a free kick to Fuller, who drilled his shot directly at Trott – another range finder perhaps. Then on 26 Midgley was played in and elected to shoot when Frendo was well placed.

When the goal did come, it was from the boot of Fuller who scored with one of those strikes that any keeper in any division would struggle to stop. On the half hour, City won the ball in the midfield thanks to the efforts of Burke. The ball found Fuller in an inside left position, about 25 yards out with apparently few options at his disposal. However, the number 11 essayed a neat drag back, created a little space, drew back his left foot and sent a rocket into the top corner of the net, Trott static on his line. It was one of those goals that those who saw it are unlikely to forget in a long while, a superb strike.

At 3-0 down, Didcot pretty much knew the game was up and for remainder of the half, offered no threat whatsoever. Indeed, Trott very nearly added to his teams woes when he failed to deal with a regulation back pass, slicing the ball comically, unwittingly teeing himself up to clear for corner from which Chaffey came close. And with three minutes to go to the end of the half, Dave Theobald headed Cambridge’s free kick over the bar.

The second half saw Didcot trying hard to get back in the game. Draycott’s shot had Barrett scrambling to make the save, the same player firing miles over shortly after. On 49 the Railwaymen had a handball shout for a penalty that referee Richard Kendall waved aside. This was another decent period for the visitors, but with no end result, nothing to scare the Lilywhites.

If Didcot had hoped to nick a goal and put some pressure on City, then those thoughts were dismissed on 61 when Tony Burke showed what a threat he is when he turned the Didcot defence inside out on the right before thundering the ball in for his second. This was a superb solo effort. The Didcot defence couldn’t get near him as his wove his wove around them, showing lovely balance and great skill. 4-0 and the game well and truly beyond Didcot.

Even a penalty opportunity was spurned by Draycott, the striker shooting weakly, allowing Barrett the time to get down low and make yet another penalty save.

As it happened, John scored a consolation goal on 70 with a goal as freakish as the others were brilliant. The number 7 had endured a frustrating afternoon. On another day he might have scored a brace but not today. However, when he let fly with a speculative effort from 25 yards, pretty much everyone lost interest in the shot after the first ten yards. Struck with medium pace and straight at Barrett, it hardly threatened the goal. However, among those who had lost interest was the City keeper who allowed the ball to slip between his otherwise reliable fingers and into the net.

City were certainly hungry for more goals, however. A swirling effort from Pepper was well tipped over by Trott on 82 and a minute later a trio of chances fell first to substitute Gentle, who saw his shot blocked, the ball coming to Midgley whose deflected shot finally fell to Burke whose shot was saved.

A thumping win again a game and willing Didcot side whose defence was too flakey and whose attack failed to capitalise on good opportunities. For City, four great goals from midfield that are likely to the equal of any seen at Milton Road this season. Great entertainment, a decent crowd and a refereeing team that kept the game flowing. And STILL unbeaten in the league!