FA Trophy

After dispatching Chelmsford away in the last round of the FA Trophy (what do you mean you've never heard of the FA Trophy! See here for information http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFATrophy/History) , the mighty stripes had a home tie at Twerton for the first time in 5 years, however, this is not due to unbelievable bad luck, more unbelievable bad form, as 5 years equals 5 games in a competition City have never warmed to.

City were due to play Basingstoke Town, a side with which we have a lot of previous having existed in the same leagues for a lot of their history. The two sides ran out to a cold Twerton Park, in front of 600 home fans and about 20 away fans, as Basingstoke had surprisingly decided to not run a supporters coach, so a massive DUYC round of applause for the commitment of the 20 odd in getting the train (respect which was diminished somewhat in The Old Crown after the game when hearing a fan order a "Summer Fruits Bulmers")

City played the strongest available team, which I can assume was for the £6,000 win money and the chance to continue building some sort of form. Within 2 minutes Scott Murray had timed his run to perfection and Adam Connolly picked him out with a perfectly weighted through ball, Murray in superb goal scoring form, has to score with just the keeper to beat? Well no, somehow despite some cracking recent goals Murray knocked the ball wide of the post.

Jason Matthews then pulled off two brilliant saves to deny Basingstoke, Hoggy tried a audacious overhead kick which didn't really threaten, that was all in a footballing sense Hoggy contributed as the rest of the match he seemed determined to get himself sent off. However, on 23 minutes in the only pure moment of class in the game City scored. The ball was played forward to Sean Canham, who flicked the ball onto Alex Russell and then span into the box, Russell then crossed the ball in well and Sean Canham met the cross perfectly for a glanced header into the bottom corner. 1-0 to City.

For the second half Hogg was replaced by Cook, but at this point the game really did turn into a bleak reminder of what is to come if we get relegated next year. No football of note was played, and Basingstoke defended resolutely and used the long ball at all opportunities.

City were under pressure but unlike last weekend managed to hold on for the 1-0 win. The only real moment I can remember from the second half relates to Jamie Cook who managed to completely miss the ball from 6 yards...leading to this conversation in the Crown with Rik Mason "I gave Cook some gyp when he missed that chance, and he gave me the wanker sign, as if I'm the wanker"! Hahaha! Best moment of the day for me that! Anyway, City are through to the next round, unbeaten at home in 4 and on the way to Wembley, possibly.