British Gas Business Football League Premier Division Saturday 17 February 2007 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm

Report taken from by Stephen Ware

Darren Edwards had the first opportunity of note in a lacklustre opening when his volley sailed over the bar in the 19th minute. Scott Partridge had earlier twice squandered half chances before Hogg nearly brought the game to life with a 20-yard volley that flew wide of Alan Judge's right-hand post. Edwards again went close moments later before City broke the deadlock in the 25th minute as Hogg converted from the spot after Chris Jackson hacked down Partridge. It might have been 2-0 on the half-hour mark, but Edwards again skied when through on goal before Mark McKeever rattled the upright with a rasping drive after a clever stepover from Scott Rogers. Partridge had another chance eight minutes before the interval when strike partner Edwards picked him out with a pin-point pass and he swivelled before firing over. But City were nearly hit with a sucker punch a minute later when Darren Pond's low drive whistled past a statuesque Paul Evans and the post. Ollie Stanbridge then almost slipped the ball into the path of Howard Forinton, who was bearing down on goal, and the visitors missed a glorious chance to level on the stroke of half-time when Andy Baird pulled a shot wide from six yards.

Edwards saw a header repelled by veteran Judge two minutes after the restart, but chances were at a premium in a game that became increasingly scrappy. Substitute Matt Coupe was close to getting on the end of a venomous McKeever cross, but City seemed content to preserve their slender advantage. Judge turned a Steve Jones shot around the post in the 72nd minute before Edwards wasted a gilt-edged opportunity to double the hosts' lead when he side-footed into a defender after a superb run and cross from Sekani Simpson. City were nearly made to pay for their second-half complacency on 80 minutes as Jon Gardner flashed a shot wide from the corner of the six-yard box and three minutes later Forinton blazed off target when one-on-one with Evans. Partridge and Edwards both had chances to seal the win with five minutes remaining as the latter's shot was palmed to Partridge who mis-controlled before scuffing wide when it looked easier to score. Gethin Jones was nearly caught in possession by Stanbridge in the closing stages before Jim Rollo gave the ball back to the same player as City sweated. Hogg might have eased that tension had he turned in Adie Harris' low centre as the clock ticked down, but City held on and remain on course to clinch the title.