Happy homecoming as City return to winning ways

Five weeks on from their memorable win over Torquay United City marked their return to Twerton Park this afternoon with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Slough Town. One point from a possible nine whilst on the road had slightly stalled their play-off momentum but a first half strike from Freddie Hinds set them on the way to the win before James Morton secured the three points with a stunning stoppage time lob, his first goal for the Romans. A lively start from City saw Hinds curl a great early chance wide of the goal before at the other end Williams directed a shot against the outside of the post when it looked easier to score. Joe Romanski then saw his header from an Adam Man flick the top of the crossbar but on 28 minutes City went ahead. A long ball forward was misjudged by Togwell to allow Hinds a clear run on goal and he went past keeper Turner as if he wasn’t there before rolling the ball into the unguarded net. Four minutes later Hinds again got goalside of the Rebels defence and, as he set himself to shoot, he was hauled to the floor by Togwell. It looked as clear-cut a penalty and red card as you could see but inexplicably the referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge. Turner then produced a great save just before the interval when Mann’s cross was deflected toward goal by a Slough defender. Two minutes into the second half City were awarded a penalty when Hinds and Fraser tangled as Ross Stearn’s cross flashed across the box but Anthony Straker saw his spot-kick saved by Turner. Stearn then twice failed to hit the target when well-placed and in-between Turner produced another great stop to keep out Hinds’ close-range shot. Any fears that the visitors would punish City for these misses were finally dispelled three minutes into stoppage time when Morton collected the ball on the edge of the area before lifting a perfectly placed lob over the overworked keeper’s despairing dive.