Saturday 16 April 2005 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Southern League Premier Division

With Leigh Henry still suspended City went into the match with an unchanged line-up from the previous week’s 1-0 win over Hitchin Town. In a number of home games this season City have begun brightly only to then fade as the game progressed, but this time they found themselves on the back foot in the opening exchanges. In fact, the visitors really should have taken the lead after just two minutes. Partington’s cross picked out an unmarked Charles but his firm header was too close to Paul Evans. On six minutes Galleon shot wide, then a mistake by Graeme Power allowed Charles to cross and Carney head just past the post. Having survived this early onslaught – and it was refreshing to see a side come to Twerton Park and actually try to take the game to City rather than attempt to slow the game down right from the kick-off – City slowly began to find their way back into the clash. Alex Sykes just failed to get on the end of a 19th minute Martin Paul cross and moments later John Williams’ effort flashed just wide of the post. City’s best chance of the first half fell to an unlikely candidate in Bobby Ford. He burst onto the end of Williams pass only to flick the ball inches wide of the post. The game was proving to be a surprisingly open encounter as Jim Rollo had to be at full stretch just before the half-hour mark to head a dangerous cross away that nearly freed Carney. Hemel had suffered a blow just before that when lively striker Charles limped off with a leg injury and the rest of the half saw City in control. Owen Story should have done better when Williams flicked on an Sykes cross, then Williams himself shot straight at keeper Millard after his pace created the opening.

Early in the second half Paul’s cross was headed toward goal by Chris Holland forcing Millard into an excellent save. However, this was as close as City came within the early stages of the half and, although Hemel were now being comfortably contained as an attacking force, it was beginning to look like a familiar scene as they began to run out of ideas. The game was crying out for the introduction of Partridge and just past the hour mark the board went up for the unimpressive Sykes to leave the pitch. But to the stunned reaction of the crowd it was Milton who appeared from the bench to replace him. A small number typically took this shock too far and incredibly booed the change but they would look suitably foolish shortly. And within a minute Partridge did enter proceedings to replace the equally ineffectual Story. The double change immediately breathed new life into City, Partridge seeing a shot saved by Millard and Williams’ follow-up deflected away for a corner. Finally with just 17 minutes remaining City broke the deadlock, in the process ending a 262 minute wait for a Twerton Park goal. Paul won a free-kick some 25-yards from goal which Gary Owers and Ford teed up for Milton to drive a low effort into the corner of the net. This was the experienced midfielder’s first goal since August 2003 and his timing couldn’t have been any better. The pressure lifted within three minutes City had scored again. There looked to be little danger as the ball was played toward the Hemel area but it somehow found its way through to Partridge to give him the simple task of knocking it past Millard. The closing ten minutes of the match saw City go in search of further goals, with Partridge missing another clear opening and Jimmy Benefield spurning two chances to complete a substitute treble. Whether these misses will matter come the end of the season, with the play-off race so close goal difference may decide things, could not dampen the sense of satisfaction at the final whistle. The win takes City’s unbeaten run to eleven games and moves them just a single point off the all-important fifth spot.