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City's long suffering fans were forced through another 90 minutes of torture as their sides season hit another low point in a single goal defeat against Newport Isle of Wight. That less than 500 supporters were their to witness it was one of the few saving graces in an evening that everyone connected with the club will want to forget as soon as possible. Unfortunately if come the end of April City finish below their conquerors that may not be so easily done. The defeat was even more galling as it came against a side whose only taste of success at Twerton Park should have come in the bar on a fruit machine (copyright Disco Diva). From the opening kick-off it was clear why both sides were struggling at the wrong end of the table as City dominated possession without ever appearing to have a clue how to breach the Newport back line. The visitors, by contrast, saw little of the ball and even when they did get it looked even more bereft of attacking ideas than City. What little threat City did produce generally came down their right flank as Bradley Thomas, restored to the side in place of the injured Jamie Gosling, and Gary Thorne occasionly created some space. One Thomas cross was flicked on by Paul Milsom but it just eluded the incoming Adrian Foster. Thorne did at least get a 12th minute effort on target, keeper Matthews comfortably holding the shot. If a goal was going to come the most likely source was from a Drysdale free-kick as three times before the interval he was given a sight of goal by clumsy challenges from an Islander defender. The first after eight minutes flew high over Matthews goal before four minutes later the Newport wall did it's job. Finally, just before the half-hour mark, Drysdale got an effort on target but again Matthews had little difficulty gathering the 25-yard drive. Inbetween the small band of Newport supporters behind the Bristol goal finally saw some action and, in truth, it should have seen their side take the lead. City failed to clear a right wing cross and the ball fell invitingly to Alcott 12 yards out. However, with the goal at his mercy he made sure the quality of the game was maintained by volleying two yards wide. This preceded the visitors best spell of the match as, first, Leigh's low cross just failed to find a teammate and then, on the stroke of half time, Alcott's drive went narrowly wide. The second period saw Collier's dipping volley finally force something slightly more than a regulation save out of Matthews. However, four minutes later City found themselves behind. Kemp's challenge on Alcott saw the defender earn a caution (which will see him suspended for one game) and Moss stepped up to take the resultant free-kick. His shot initially appeared to be covered by Johnston but somehow the ball eluded him and went into the net off the underside of the crossbar. As in Saturday's defeat at Stafford this blow seemed to shatter City's fragile confidence but, unlike Saturday, their was no wonder goal to draw them level. In fact, Lang should have added to Newport's lead on 73 minutes, only to blaze over the bar from the edge of the box. Even the introduction of Graham MacLean did nothing to boost City and it wasn't until the closing minutes that they threatened to grab an unlikely equaliser. It was the substitute who found some room wide left but his cross just beat Badman and with no other City player following in flew harmlessly across the face of goal. The reaction of City captain Colin Towler at the final whistle showed how much the defeat hurt but cannot disguise the fact that unless improvements are made soon the club will be facing Western Division football next season. |
