City blown off course in stoppage time

City suffered further stoppage time woe this afternoon against Eastbourne Borough at The ReachTV Stadium, conceding the only goal of the game in the fifth of six additional minutes. Just when it looked as if they had withstood both Storm Bert and all the high-flying hosts could throw at them a goalmouth scramble ended with Alexander firing home leave the Romans empty-handed.

Eastbourne had the strong wind at their backs during the first half and understandably dominated the opening 45 minutes. Harvey Wiles-Richards saved well from Bamba on nine minutes and several further chances came and went. City had an escape in the 19th minute when Innocent’s 25-yard free-kick struck the angle of post and crossbar. This would be as close at they would get before the interval, with just a late penalty appeal, when Innocent went to ground in the box, giving City a nervous moment.

The second half saw Eastbourne’s attacking endeavours understandably blunted but City struggled to fashion any clear cut chances of their own. Given their respective league positions as the game reached it closing stages City looked content to settle for a point much to the frustration of the Sports. However, the announcement of six minutes stoppage time gave them one final boost and they took full advantage when Odusanya’s free-kick eventually fell kindly to Alexander to break City’s hearts.

Photo Credit: Lydia Redmond Photography