Earning a place in last four lifts the spirits

Canterbury City

Ben Smith says reaching the Kent Senior Trophy semi-finals is the highlight of Canterbury City’s season so far. Ben Gorham’s 82nd-minute winner against Southern Counties East League, Division 1 title-chasers Glebe, at Ashford on Saturday, confirmed City’s place in the last four – providing a major boost to what has been a disappointing campaign. Boss Smith said: “It’s been all doom and gloom, eternal hope and what might have been so far and the boys feel the expectation because they know we are a good side.” Gorham marked his return with his first goal for the club under Smith, following his dualregistration move to Herne Bay last November. Smith added: “I agreed with (Bay) manager Sam Denly during the week that Ben would be available if their game was called off and we played well against a good side.” The game was delayed first for 15 minutes – then put back another half-an-hour, following the late arrival of referee Kane Dempster, leaving both managers increasingly frustrated by the way the afternoon was developing. City shrugged off skipper Dan Lawrence’s return to Ramsgate, completed the night before the game and Josh Mccallum and Laurence Harvey being forced to play with knocks. Keeper Nick Shaw was pressed into service for his first game of the season, with Daren Hawkes ruled out for a month with an ankle injury. Lawrence tweeted this week: “Easily the hardest footballing decision I have ever had to make leaving – thank you to everyone at the club and good luck.” Smith added: “I was disappointed with the timing of it but have got no issues with (Ramsgate boss) Lloyd Blackman. Danny has been a fantastic player for the club and I hope he will back in the future. Nick came in and played as if he had never been away.” Rob Lawrence fired over on 13 minutes and had another shot well saved by Glebe keeper Adam Molloy before seeing a shot blocked on the line on 34 minutes. Gary Mickelborough’s run moments later promised much but ultimately his intelligent cut back was blocked and the resultant corner headed over. There was controversy four minutes before the break when a Glebe handball seemingly in the penalty area was penalised with a free-kick outside the box, which came to nothing. Glebe nearly took the lead three minutes after half-time when Fred Obasa stormed down the left and shot against the base of the post with keeper Shaw beaten. It was the jolt City needed and a minute later, Mickelborough saw an effort blocked and soon after, his effort, after good work from Sam Conlon, flew wide. More hesitant finishing by City let Glebe off the hook as the pressure began to mount with half an hour left and on 67 minutes, Mickelborough saw his shot well parried by Molloy and seconds later, City hit the sidenetting. With extra-time looming, a free-kick by Rob Lawrence was headed over by a Glebe defender but City were not to be denied and a superb near-post corner from the left was met by Gorham with the ball looping over Molloy and into the far corner with eight minutes left. Canterbury nearly made it two in the dying seconds but Rob Lawrence’s free-kick through the wall was punched away by Molloy.

had drawn 3-3 with Deal in the Southern Counties East League, Premier Division, last Wednesday night. City found themselves two goals behind inside 25 minutes through Connor Coyne and Luke Bigginton but Mickelborough pulled a goal back against the run of play soon after and although Danny Lawrence hit the post from a penalty after a handball, Conlon made it 2-2 just before the break. Kristin Gregory put Deal ahead soon after half-time and Danny Lawrence saw a shot cleared off the line. He had a second spot-kick saved by James Tonkin after a foul on Rob Lawrence with 10 minutes remaining, although his blushes were spared as Mickelborough squeezed home the rebound and young keeper Toby Wood ensured a point with some good late saves. City travel to Corinthian on Saturday (3pm), looking to record a third successive away win, after victories at Hollands & Blair and Beckenham.

City boss Ben Smith