Late rally fails to prevent Twerton Park loss

Despite a late rally City ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline against Hampton & Richmond Borough at Twerton Park this evening. It looked like it was going to be a long evening for City when the visitors started the game strongly but the Romans weathered this early pressure and began to get on top. Joe Raynes saw a shot tipped onto the crossbar – though the referee awarded a goalkick – then Alex Fletcher’s low shot was brilliantly save at full stretch by Julian. However, it was the Beavers who struck first on 38 minutes when a ball across the box was turned home by Muir. And they doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half after Ryan Clarke spilled Gondoh’s tame shot to give Gray a simple tap in. City responded well to this blow, Callum Wood heading a corner too near Julian, then the keeper and a defender somehow keeping out Fletcher’s header. Moments after substitute Cody Cooke saw his 80th minute downward header bounce back off the crossbar the pressure finally told as Jordan Dyer headed a deep Elliott Frear cross over Julian, although Fletcher may have got the final touch before the ball crossed the line. Suddenly a point looked possible but in committing men forward, with two minutes left Hampton broke away and Slew steered the ball home at the far post to secure the points for the visitors.