Compton strikes twice to beat the Crusaders

After a day of intermittent showers , there was a sudden downpour as kick-off time approached, but fortunately it suddenly abated and it remained dry until near the end of the game, with the pitch in remarkably good condition.

Unfortunately, our recent good spell came to an end, with the Romans earning the points after a hard-fought game, despite Lewis Ward saving a penalty, from one of the two spot kicks awarded to the visitors.

New arrival on loan from Eastleigh, Harvey Read made his debut in the centre of defence with Gareth Thomas picking up a shoulder injury on Saturda.

We gained an early corner when a cross from Louie Soares was turned behind, but it was wasted, whilst at the other end, Paul Stonehouse headed behind a good cross from Jack Compton and the visitors were equally wasteful with their kick.

Half-time arrived with no breakthrough as the two teams played at a frantic pace, but often failed to keep possession and the game continued in the same fashion after the interval until the dead-lock was broken just after the hour mark when Compton wrong-footed Ward from the penalty spot to put City a goal ahead. It took a full-length save from Ward minutes later to prevent Compton increasing City's lead from the spot again. The referee showing a red card to Herring but with assistance from the linesman rescinded his decision moments later showing a yellow.

Having come back from 2-0 down on Saturday, we did not give up and Louie Soares broke through to reduce the arrears 4 minutes from the end, leading to a hectic final spell as we earned several corners, and Rhys Tyler shot just wide, but could not get that vital goal, the Romans holding on to earn the points they just about deserved.

Team ;Lewis Ward, Rhys Tyler, Paul Stonehouse,Ian Herring, Harvey Read, Callum Willmoth. James Clark, Jordan Simpson, Stefan Brown, Nicholas Bignall, Louie Soares.
Subs;Jamal Lawrence, Tom Meechan, Garrett Kelly, Scott Rees, Jon Boardman.