Bath City Academy’s record FA Youth Cup run ends at Croydon

Bath City Academy’s FA Youth Cup dreams are over as they departed in round two at Croydon. The South Londoners dominated throughout. Having already spurned a few glorious openings, they finally took the lead on 22 minutes. Nathan Hogan’s trickery saw him pull the back back for Kiarn Asafu, who smashed home from six yards via the underside of the bar. Hamid Ishola and Asafu were denied by Harvey Wiles-Richards and the post respectively at the hosts threatened to add to their lead. The second half was a similar tale. Although Billy Clark’s men were more resilient for a time, they struggled to pose any promising attacks against a physically strong outfit. A second goal arrived on 62 minutes. After more sustained pressure, David Bodie’s hanging cross was nodded home by Ishola at the far post, Wiles-Richards watching the header creep just inside his post. Substitute Shaquille Perkins headed straight at Henry Still in added time, City’s only effort on target, whereas a combination of timely interventions and, more often, woeful finishing, kept the scoreline respectable. Croydon will travel to Wigan in round three. It wasn’t to be for Billy Clark’s men, but a best ever run in the competition should be remembered more than this exit. The future remains bright for the academy outfit.

Report provided by Mark Stillman.