City stand firm to secure vital victory

City had to withstand a second half onslaught before they could celebrate an important 2-1 win over Salisbury at The Raymond McEnhill Stadium this evening. Two goals in a minute from Luke Russe and Brad Ash put the Romans in control at the interval before Salisbury pulled a goal back on the hour mark. This gave the Whites renewed hope but City stood firm to secure the three points.

City raced out of the blocks with two great chances in the opening minutes. Ewan Clark shot too closely to Bryne from a great position then Ash raced clear but placed his effort wide. Salisbury began to come into the game after this but two goals in a minute turned the match firmly in City’s favour. On 28 minutes Russe got in behind and made no mistake from 18 yards. City regained possession immediately from the restart and Ash netted from a narrow angle after Bryne could only parry Wilson’s shot.

The hosts pulled a goal back on the hour mark when City failed to clear and Brown found the corner of the net. This breathed life into the Whites although it took a great stop from Bryne to deny Ash making it 3-1 on 75 minutes. Four minutes later Coppin struck the bar for the home side, with Wheeler going over in the box from the rebound but only getting a booking for a dive, as the pressure built on City. Seven minutes stoppage time gave the Wiltshire side further hope and in the final of these it took a stunning block from Kieran Parselle to finally bank the vital victory.