CITY STILL ROCK BOTTOM
Manager Andy leader included three new signings in his squad for Saturday's match against Didcot Town at home, Paul Worsfold (ex-Andover New Street) made the starting lineup and Lee Burch (ex-Bashley) and Ian Davies (ex-Whitchurch United) were on the bench. Matt Bowler made a welcome return in the centre of defence after injury.
City started well and Brett Williams was thwarted by a timely tackle after Carl Foster had put him in.
As Didcot got into their stride, however, City had two let-offs. Keeper Andy Smallpiece came way off his line and as rounded and Michael Bartley had the simple chance of rolling the ball into the empty net but luckily for City he put it into the side netting. A few minutes later Ashley Vine collected a cross from the left but failed to get in an accurate shot with only the keeper to beat.
City came back and a good run by Adam Kelly saw him slip the ball to Williams and his pass into the box unfortunately had no takers. The home side took the lead in the 25th minute when Sam Lockyer curled a free kick into the box. The Didcot keeper Michael Watkins parried the shot onto a post and Foster bundled the rebound home. (Photo below - Foster beats Williams to the ball to toe poke home City's opener - photo courtesy Paul Paxford)
This spurred Didcot on and they came near with a shot over the bar and equalised in the 41st minute when Vine headed home at the far post after a cross-come-shot evaded everyone in the penalty area.
City again started the half strongly and penned Didcot in their own half but in one break the visitors had a penalty appeal turned down. Kelly put in a good run but Foster shot over the bar and Nick Craig did well on the edge of the area to feed Adam George but his long range effort was also wide. Worsfold showed some nice touches as attention focused on the attack.
City, however, conceded the winner in the 59th minute after another incident in which Samllpiece was left exposed as he came off his line. He was again rounded but the shot was cleared off the line by James Wilson. City failed to clear and Bartley finished off a series of shots on goal by converting from close range.
Ian Davies came on for Foster on the hour and almost immediately got into the action heading just over the bar. Williams hit the side netting and Steve Llewelyn joined the attack but was tackled as he shot and the ball rebounded clear.
Throwing caution to the wind Andy Leader brought on Burch for Wilson in the 70th minute and he pushed forward.
City nearly equalised when Davies crossed for Craig to put his shot just wide with the keeper beaten and then the Didcot keeper made a brilliant one-handed save from Williams.
With time running out Kyle Joryeff came on for George and although he looked lively in the box, City were unable to force a point.
This Saturday City are at home to A.F.C. Totton in the F.A. Cup and expect a large crowd for this local derby, kick off 3.00 p.m.
Carl Foster just beats Brett Williams to toe-poke the ball home, after the Didcot keeper had pushed Sam Lockyer's free-kick onto the post. (Photo: Paul Paxford)
City: Smallpiece, Wilson (Burch 67), Lockyer, George (Joryeff 84), Bowler, Llewellyn, Foster (Davies 58), Kelly, Williams, Worsfold, Craig. Unused Subs: C Davies, Morgan.
Didcot Town: Watkins, Heapy, Jack, Williams, Brown, Howell, Vine, King, Bartley, Roach, Powell. Subs: Witt, Buckner, Mortimer-Jones, Hopkins, Bicknell.
Full match report to follow.
