Hardyman double lifts City to FA Youth Cup success (30/9/05)
Two goals in either half from Mark Hardyman saw City’s youth team to a 2-0 victory over Bishops Cleeve in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup last night at Twerton Park. He converted Theo Selassi’s cross from close range after sixteen minutes then ten minutes into the second period a Kyle Shallcross centre picked him out and it was 2-0. A 25-yard effort that hit the bar almost secured the former Portsmouth youngster a hat-trick shortly afterwards. City will now face either Cinderford or Bristol Manor Farm in the 2nd Qualifying Round to be played at Twerton Park week commencing 10 October.
City’s FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round meeting with Conference South side Weymouth has been confirmed as a 2pm kick off on Saturday 8 October.
Twerton Park woes continue as Mangotsfield enjoy first ever league meeting (27/9/05)
City’s first ever league meeting with Mangotsfield United ended in defeat this evening at a wet Twerton Park. The Bristol-based side led 2-0 at half-time and despite Steve Jones pulling a goal back with 20 minutes remaining City couldn’t find an equaliser. Just four minutes had elasped when Chris Holland headed past Paul Evans to gift United the lead and they doubled this advantage after 34 minutes when Claridge’s low shot found the net. A Jim Rollo header flew narrowly wide just before the interval and the second half saw City on top, Scott Partridge forcing a fine stop out of keeper Greaves before Jones headed home Andy Sandell’s cross. They threw everything they could at the visitors after this but it wasn’t enough to prevent City suffering their third successive home league defeat.
Tonight also saw the FA Cup replay between Weymouth and Weston Super Mare, and it was the Terras who won the right to face City in the 3rd Qualifying Round with a narrow 1-0 victory. The match is due to take place on Saturday 8 October (ko 2pm) although that is yet to be confirmed.
Before then City will face Paulton Rovers in a Somerset Premier Cup 1st Round match. The game will take place at Winterfield Road on Monday 3 October (ko 7.30pm).
City face day out at the seaside after FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round draw (26/9/05)
City will face a trip to either Weymouth or Weston Super Mare in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round following the draw which was made today. The teams, both around mid-table in the Conference South, drew 2-2 on Saturday and replay tomorrow night at the Dorset side’s Wessex Stadium. The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday 8 October although with England facing Austria on that day the actual date and kick-off time is yet to be confirmed.
City edge out battling Gosport in seven-goal FA Cup thriller (25/9/05)
City were made to fight every inch of the way yesterday to earn a place in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round with a 4-3 win at Gosport Borough. The Wessex League side got off to a dream start when player of the previous round Laidlaw fired them ahead from close range after just three minutes. Ten minutes later City levelled through Tony Bird but when Paul Evans failed to hold a Laidlaw header on 25 minutes Dyer restored Gosport’s advantage. Just past the half hour mark Jon Holloway latched onto a defensive mistake to shoot home and it looked like City had finally got on top of their opponents when Chris Holland put them ahead four minutes before the break, after Matt Coupe’s header had hit the bar. They had several good chances to go further ahead but after 62 minutes Scammell’s looping header made it 3-3. It was end to end stuff now and twice Evans produced excellent stops at the full stretch of his 6’4 frame. The tie was finally decided six minutes from time when Bird scored his second goal from a Andy Sandell centre and despite seven minutes of stoppage time Borough could not find another goal.
City’s youth side maintained their 100% start to the season with a 4-0 win over Forest Green Rovers yesterday. Mark Hardyman opened the scoring with a neat turn and shot then Kyle Shallcross’s 25-yard effort made it 2-0. Kane Ingram added a third before the interval and he grabbed his second 20 minutes from time to complete the scoring. The team next play Bishops Cleeve in an FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie at Twerton Park this Thursday (29/9, ko 7.30pm).
Southern League fixture farce leaves City facing an April on the road (23/9/05)
Due to an almost unbelievable piece of incompetence by the Southern League City will now be forced to play four of their final five games of this season away from home. The original fixture list had City at home to King’s Lynn on the final Saturday of the season but also inexplicably had tenants Team Bath playing at Twerton Park against Salisbury on 29 April. Therefore, the league has switched City’s games with the Norfolk side, moving their visit to Twerton to Saturday 26 November and handing City their longest journey of the season on it’s final day.
City Youth maintain perfect start to the season with comfortable Cardiff victory (19/9/05)
City’s youth side made it three wins out of three with a 4-1 success over Cardiff Academy at Twerton Park yesterday afternoon. It took them just 12 minutes to open the scoring, Theo Selassi firing home a cross by Mark Branton following good work by Kyle Shallcross. Nine minutes later it was 2-0 through Kane Ingram and he then scored his sixth goal of the season, converting from the penalty spot after Adam Shackell had been upended in the box, to make it 3-0 on 36 minutes. The second half saw the Welsh side come more into the game without ever threatening a fightback and with eight minutes left City scored a fourth, full-back Keiran Baggs breaking forward to fire a deflected shot into the net. Four minutes later Cardiff grabbed a consolation goal but it could not deflect from another impressive performance from the City youngsters. After the win manager Ali Belcher said, “That was the best we have played all season and special praise must go out to youngsters Tom Parsons, Adam Tyers and ex-Bath Arsenal boys Dave Peters and Tom Pursall for their contribution.”
Missed penalty and disallowed ‘goal’ see City crash to undeserved defeat (17/9/05)
A bizarre disallowed goal, one defensive laspe and a missed last minute penalty saw City lose 1-0 to Beford Town this afternoon. In a game that City dominated for long periods they looked to have taken a deserved lead in first half stoppage time when Jim Rollo’s deflected shot found the corner of the net. However, much to the disbelief of everyone connected with City as the ball was flying toward the net the referee blew for half time and ruled out the effort. The second half saw City ever more on top but they failed to turn this control into goals and from a rare Bedford attack on 69 minutes Miller was allowed to race clear and he fired past Mark Bryant. City then camped in the Eagles half for the rest of the game and it looked as if this pressure had finally paid off a minute from time when Scott Partridge was felled in the box. He stepped up to take the penalty kick only for keeper Brown to save the effort with his legs. Summing up City’s day Partridge and Martin Paul then got in each others way and the latter could only head the rebound over the bar.
City boss pledges loyalty after being linked to former club (15/9/05)
John Relish has denied that he is set to repeat previous manager Gary Owers’ actions and desert City for one of his former clubs. He was linked to the manager’s post at Conference South side Newport County following the sacking of John Cornforth earlier this week, having played over 420 games for the Welsh side plus a spell in charge during the late 1980’s. However, he was quick to distance himself from the position saying, “As far as I’m concerned I’ve heard nothing about it. I’ve got a job to do at Bath and I’m fine where I am.”
FA Cup draw hands City a trip to Wessex League Gosport Borough (12/9/05)
The draw for the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round was made this morning and has given City a trip to Sydenhams Wessex League side Gosport Borough. Gosport – who City last faced back in the 1989-90 season – have already gone through 3 rounds to reach this stage and are currently unbeaten this season with seven wins from their nine games. The tie will take place at Privett Park on Saturday 24 September (ko 3pm).
City’s youth side have rearranged their weekend game with Cardiff College and it will now take place at Twerton Park on Sunday 18 September (ko 2pm). Their FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round match against Bishop’s Cleeve will also be played at Twerton Park in Thursday 29 September (ko 7.30pm).
New arrival Bird swoops in nick of time to fire late cup winner (10/9/05)
New signing Tony Bird struck with just four minutes left to help City overcome Cinderford Town at a wet Twerton Park this afternoon and progress to the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round. The game had looked to be heading for a replay as the Western Division side withstood all City could throw at them. Their keeper Benbow produced a series of excellent saves and even when he was beaten desperate defending plus, on one occasion, the post came to his rescue. Cinderford also had several good chances of their own but in the 86th minute the ball fell to Bird on the corner of the six yard box and he fired it low into the net to finally end their resistance.
City striker Ricky Hulbert has gone on loan to Southern League Western Division Swindon Supermarine and he scored their winning goal against Melksham Town in the FA Cup this afternoon.
City’s youth team made it two wins out of two this morning with a comfortable 4-0 victory over Cirencester Academy. Theo Selassi opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a great shot after a strong run. City were in control of the game but it wasn’t until the 64th minute they scored again, Kane Ingram firing home after beating three players. He then turned provider, crossing for Adam White to make it 3-0 on 78 minutes before Tom Pursall completed the scoring a minute from time.
Former Swan Bird flys into Twerton Park to boost forward options (7/9/05)
City boss John Relish has moved quickly to provide cover up front by signing experienced former Swansea City striker Tony Bird. With Phil Walsh suspended for a month and Martin Paul still struggling with a calf problem, City were light on forward options. 31-year old Bird scored 20 goals in 83 appearances for the Swans and has also played for Chelteham and Kidderminster, plus spells in Welsh and Irish League football. Relish moved for Bird after a possible move to Forest Green Rovers fell through and he has signed on non-contract terms for a month with a view to a longer deal.
Hat-trick star Ingram gets City Youth season off to winning start (3/9/05)
At a sunny Twerton Park this morning City Youth got their defence of the South West Counties Youth League title off to a successful start with a 3-2 victory over Basingstoke Town. After falling behind to an early goal, Kane Ingram (pictured) took advantage of a poor clearance to lob City level. Midway through the second half they went ahead with an a deflected Ingram free-kick but Basingstoke levelled again. However, with ten minutes left Ingram scored his third with a very neat finish and victory was secured.
Friday Night Lights dim for City as they crash to Banbury defeat (3/9/05)
Last night City crashed to their second successive home defeat as they were beaten 3-0 by Banbury United. It was another toothless display from City, much more in common with the previous Saturday’s loss against Salisbury City than the Bank Holiday win over Team Bath, failing to once test the Puritans keeper. Neither side had looked particularly impressive during the first half but they were seperated at the break by Gardener’s 42nd minute strike. Within a minute of the restart Banbury went further ahead through Baird. Apart from a brief ten minute spell during the second half City rarely looked like getting back into the game and the visitors scored a third goal in the final minute from McKay’s header.
City to lose suspended striker Walsh for five weeks (1/9/05)
Phil Walsh will make his last City outing for over a month on Friday against Banbury United due to a suspension picked up last season whilst playing for Hellenic League side Almondsbury. The tall striker, who scored his first goal in City colours during Monday’s 4-0 win over Team Bath, has a 35-day ban which will see him miss at least five matches. City boss John Relish has already begun the search for cover and hopes to bring in a new striker by the weekend.