Late scare can’t deny City FA Cup progress

Despite a late scare City progressed into the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round with a 2-1 win over Merthyr Town at Twerton Park this afternoon. First half goals from Sol Wanjau-Smith and Elliott Frear had put City firmly in control of the tie before a late strike from Kobi-Preston Watkins made for tense end to the game.

City began on the front foot and this positive start was rewarded after just eleven minutes when Latrell Humphrey-Ewers crossed for Wanjau-Smith to lift a shot over Cogman. And it got even better for the Romans eight minutes later as Frear ran clear from Billy Phillips pass before rolling the ball past Cogman. The visitors attempts to play the ball out from the back nearly got them in trouble on a couple of occasions, Frear shooting into the side-netting from one such moment, before Ewan Clark’s in-swinging corner almost found the net.

The second half began with Jack Batten’s 51st minute header dropping onto the roof of the net then Cogman saved well from Clark’s well-struck shot seven minutes later. On 64 minutes the Martyrs should have halved City’s lead when neat build up play gave Jarvis acres of space in the box but Josey Casa-Grande got enough on his eventual shot allowing Kieran Parselle to complete the clearance. Lifted by this chance the Southern League side began to dominate possession but struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances. Two minutes from time though Preston-Watkins shot on the turn made it 2-1. However, there were no further scares for City as they secured their place in Monday’s draw.