Match report: Cambridge City 3-1 Buckhurst Hill

Cambridge City were on top form against Buckhurst Hill in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup as they ran out 3-1 winners. The Lilywhites had been in action on Tuesday night, beating Tilbury 6-2, despite conceding the opening goal against the the Dockers. Buckhurst Hill also played on Tuesday night, losing out to Felixstowe & Walton United, 3-2, even though

the Stags had taken the lead through Suley Zuhdu's double.

Despite City having Jayden Randell, Charlie Norman and Ryan Fryatt all out, they had the opening chance of the game. Charlie Royle found himself in a crossing position after a pass from Travis Dodsworth, but the former's cross was turned wide by Harvey Brown. The corner led to a Reece Harris cross which was nodded in by Fletcher Toll, all within the first two minutes of the game.

Five minutes later, City almost had a second. Jack Thompson's free-kick found Freddie Hockey and the latter's cross missed Toll's feet by mere millimetres. It took another 22 minutes before the next major chance came. City had a free-kick after 29 minutes which Lewis Hayes took, and then sent over the bar. Hayes then had a corner shortly afterwards which was claimed comfortably by Christian North.

Four minutes later North was involved again. James Philp sent a long ball to Dodsworth high up the field. Dodsworth then travelled in to the penalty area, where he was tripped by North and the referee pointed to the spot without hesitation. Toll stepped up and finished clinically to get his, and his team's, second goal of the match.

It could've been three just six minutes later. Another long ball from Philp was picked up by Hockey, Hayes then picked up the ball and played a neat one-two with Thompson, and Hayes' cross looked like it was overhit, but Dodsworth was able to connect with the cross and his vigorous volley thundered against the crossbar and stayed out.

With three minutes left in the half, City had a corner after a shot was blocked following North's unusual save from Toll's prodded effort. The corner was sent in and Jaiden Babalola rose highest to head in via the crossbar for a 3-0 lead. The half-time whistle blew shortly afterwards, following on from a period where North had to receive some attention after colliding with his own teammate.

The second half was only five minutes old when Buckhurst had their first shot on goal. Substitute Callum Maltese managed to beat two of City's defenders while on his own, and he angled a shot which was caught by Philp. City then came on the break a minute later, after Thompson won from Suley Zuhdu. Hayes found Dodsworth on the left-hand side, and the wing-back's cross missed Toll, who was bearing down on the far post, and rolled out for a goal-kick.

Buckhurst then had a free-kick which Maltese took and which was easily saved by Philp. City then almost had a fourth when Dodsworth was in action to send in a cross for Hayes, but the no. 18's shot was cleared off the line.

Buckhurst then got their name on the score-sheet when Zuhdu latched onto a perfectly weighted long ball, beat Charlie Lewis and rolled the ball coolly past Philp to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

Zuhdu was in action again after 70 minutes when he sought out George Edwards in the final third. Edwards sped into the box and fell to the ground, the referee awarding what looked to be a harsh penalty. Zuhdu took the penalty but couldn't repeat his actions on Tuesday night as his penalty was saved by Philp, diving low to his right to parry away the strike.

The game was petering out from here, although there was time for another shot before the end. Edwards played Maltese through for a shooting opportunity, but Philp saved the substitute's attack to preserve City's two-goal lead.

After a lengthy six minutes of injury time, the referee blew the final whistle. A confirmed 3-1 victory for the Lilywhites, the win extending their unbeaten home run to five matches in all competitions and booking their place in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. City will have eyes on the draw on Monday, and will also be looking to add to their three consecutive league wins when they take on Witham Town on Tuesday 22nd September.

Thanks as always to Connor Taylor-Creek for the excellent match report.