|
Tuesday 7 October 2003 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm Somerset Premier Cup 1st Round 
|
| half-time: 3-1 | result: W4-2 | attendance: 240 |
| team: | Shuttlewood, Jeffries, Trought (c) (Klukowski 19), Coupe, Hendy, Rollo, Shore, Counsell, Bennett, Tweddle (Cleverley 55), Bridges. subs not used: Hulbert, Salter, Brigham. |
| man of the match: | Steve Tweddle |
| scorers: | Tweddle (pen 3), Jeffries (37), Shore (42, 89) |
| bookings: | Hendy (80) |
| officials: | T Page, S Beer, D McEllin |
| league position: n/a | form: WLWLLW | next match: Thame (A) |
The chance to entertain Paulton Rovers in a Somerset Premier Cup 1st Round tie was a welcome break for City in the midst of their league struggles and one that they took advantage of, although not before they were given a stern test by the Western League outfit. With both sides facing more important FA Cup games on Saturday neither was at full strength but City did welcome back top scorer Steve Tweddle following his month long absence due to work commitments.
And it took the striker just three minutes to show what City had been missing by winning and converting a penalty to give them the perfect start. His strong run was ended by Buxton and he made no mistake from the spot. He was looking like he’d never been away, twice going close to furthering City’s advantage. However, slowly Rovers began to get into the game and after a couple of near misses they deservedly levelled. Catley’s corner somehow reached Buxton six yards out and he stabbed it home. Six minutes later City thought they had regained the lead when Drew Shore fired a low free-kick into the net. The referee halted the celebrations by ruling that the free-kick was indirect and disallowing the strike. Any disappointment was soon dispelled as Shore turned provider on 37 minutes. His corner found Josh Jeffries unmarked at the far post to send a bouncing shot into the net. Three minutes before the interval Shore finally got on the score sheet, blasting a stunning 25-yard effort past Rendall.
Chances came and went for both sides in the early stages of the second half. Tweddle was withdrawn from the action after 55 minutes to be replaced by Danny Cleverley. On 67 minutes Paulton pulled a goal back when Ford’s looping header was misjudged by Justin Shuttlewood to spin into the net. It all looked to be going horribly wrong for City with 10 minutes remaining when Woodman raced clear. Just as he was set to shoot he was dragged to the ground by Scott Hendy. The offence was just outside the area but Hendy must have been preparing for the mandatory red card. Incredibly though the referee only showed yellow and when the free-kick came to nothing City had had a major let-off. As if in response with a minute remaining City sealed the victory with a fourth goal. Again it was a long-range special from Shore that flew past a helpless Rendall.