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Tuesday 30 September 2003 - Penydarren Park - kick off 7.45pm Dr Martens Premier Division 
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| half-time: 0-1 | result: L0-2 | attendance: 473 |
| team: | Bryant, Carter, Trought (c), Hendy, Howarth, Rollo, Coupe (Eaton 77), Counsell, Salter (Plummer 72), Cleverley (Bennett 56), Williams. subs not used: Jeffries, Bridges. |
| man of the match: | Matt Coupe |
| scorers: | none |
| bookings: | Counsell (35), Hendy (88) |
| dismissal: | Counsell (60) |
| officials: | J Cox (Evesham), P Stowe (Evesham), P Stowe (Evesham) |
| league position: 16th | form: WDWLWL | next match: Hinckley (H) |
City’s return to league action after their cup success against Brislington ended in disappointment as a familiar face and a pre-season target helped Merthyr Tydfil to a 2-0 victory. The familiar face was former captain and player-of-the-season Gary Thorne, who produced a typically solid and uncompromising performance at the half of the Martyrs defence. Alongside him was Gethin Jones who appeared to heading for Twerton Park in the summer before a last minute change of mind saw him remain in his native Wales. In contrast to Thorne it was not his defensive display that undid City, rather his ability at the other end of the pitch when he fired home the vital opening goal in first half stoppage time.
The blow had been especially hard on City as they had been the better side for most of the first half only to fail to find a finishing touch to a series of impressive moves. On four minutes Jim Rollo played the ball forward to Mark Salter and his 20-yard shot was turned away by keeper Thomas. Alfie Carter’s follow-up corner was headed straight at Thomas by an unmarked Scott Hendy. The home sides main threat came from strong and pacy forward Belle and he should have done better than drag a shot wide when he was clean though just before the half hour mark. Moments later Salter had an equally clear sight of goal, Mitch Counsell’s neat pass putting him clear. He tried to pick his spot only for Thomas to parry. The loose ball fell to Danny Cleverley but he shot against the post from a tight angle. Ten minutes before the interval Counsell and Merthyr’s Heal both received yellow cards for an minor pushing match. The resultant free-kick went City’s way and Rollo’s delivery fell to Mike Trought but his snap-shot from six yards went over the bar. With the half 90 seconds into stoppage time City were made to pay for these misses. Carter’s free-kick was headed weakly out by Hendy and Jones’ first-time effort flew into the corner of the net.
The home side began the second half on top and it was no surprise when on 59 minutes they struck again. Thorne’s long ball forward found Belle in acres of space. He had all the time he needed to pick out Carter, whose header easily beat the exposed Mark Bryant. Two minutes later it got even worse for City when Counsell’s late challenge on Collier earned the midfielder his second yellow card. Price should have made it three for Merthyr before the numbers were evened up, Heal receiving the same fate as Counsell for a foul on Howarth. City now went for broke, substitutes Jason Eaton, Frankie Bennett and Dwayne Plummer forming a three-man attack. Thorne almost headed a cross into his own net and Coupe sent a header inches wide as City searched for a way back into the game. In the closing minutes Rollo put another great chance wide and with it City’s hopes of an unlikely comeback.