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City became the second side in a just over week to leave Ashton Gate having secured a one goal cup success. Although not quite comparable with Leyton Orient's FA Cup victory nine days earlier it was still a welcome result for City, particularly on the back of their woeful showing in Saturday's league defeat against King's Lynn. The only surprise about City's performance was that it took until the first half of extra time for them to grab the single goal that always looked enough to earn a 3rd Round place in the Somerset Premier Cup. With their 2nd Division opponents fielding a number of players with first team experience, including ex-Leeds forward Matthews and Barbados international Goodridge, plus former first choice keeper Phillips, City made just two changes to the side that lost against King's Lynn - Bradley Thomas and Iain Harvey replacing Jeff MacLean and Nigel Gillard. City's main threat up front came from top scorer and he should have put the Romans ahead after twenty minutes, running onto to Gary Powell's great pass but his shot was blocked by Phillips. Just before the interval the keeper was again called into action, turning aside a Dave Watts shot. In between City's only real scare at the back came after 20 minutes when Hulbert and Brown combined before the latter forced Mark Hervin to palm his 20-yard effort over the bar. With both sides trying to play football on the perfect Ashton Gate pitch the small crowd was given enough entertainment to take their mind of the cold conditions. Another good move by City after 55 minutes saw Foster again denied by Phillips. Thomas began the move, sending a 40-yard cross-field ball to Williams. He, in turn, picked out Foster who, having turned his marker, saw his low drive saved by Phillips legs. When the home side did threaten City their back line stood firm, with Gary Kemp in particular having an outstanding game. Shanahan almost had a sight of Hervin's goal after 71 minutes but Harvey took the ball of his toe just as he was about to shoot. Foster headed another good chance wide as the game reached it's closing stages and the sides were forced into another 30 minutes action. The first opening in extra-time fell to City as Harvey's quickly taken free-kick finished with Foster slicing wide and then the midfielder tried his own luck, volleying wide after Phillips had spilled Milsom's header. However, he only had to wait another minute to find the net. Andy Williams and Harvey began the move before a Milsom dummy allowed the former to run clear on goal. Having drawn Phillips he unselfishly squared for Harvey to drive the ball home from 12 yards. The remaining 20 minutes of the extra period saw City happy to sit on their lead and, despite Goodridge twice getting clear down the left flank, they held out without too much worry. |
