City caught cold by Bath

BATH CITY 1

C Holland

City: J Chapman, J Ash, D Harris, T Smith, M Martin, J Broad, K Wills, I Gosling, S Tolley, A Watkins, S Walker. Subs: S Yetton, M Vercesi, J Skinner.

Bath City: P Evans, S Simpson, J Rollo, G Jones, C Holland, A Harris, L Hogg, S Rogers, D Edwards, D Gilroy, M McKeever. Subs: S Jones, P Kedole, P Walsh.

THIS FA Cup second qualifying round tie at Treyew Road was a tale of two cities, one that got lucky and the other who saw their luck desert them on the big occasion.

The spoils went to Bath, but Truro City will reflect on a game that they could have quite easily won or earned a replay had they taken just one of several good chances.

Apart from the opening six or seven minutes City had the better possession, played the better football, looked the more accomplished side, but lacked the one important component - a goal.

That went to their visitors with barely a minute on the clock. Bath got the ball forward quickly from the kick off and pressurised city with a couple of successive crosses following a free kick. In fact, the free kick was half a dozen of one and six of the other, but City failed to clear the danger and when the third cross from from Mark McKeever was curled to the far post, the imposing figure of Chris Holland powered his header into the net.

It was the worst possible start for City who surprisingly started without leading goalscorer Stewart Yetton.

City made a quick reposte with Tom Smith and Danny Harris almost putting Andy Watkins in, but he couldn't quite get a final touch.

After the initial setback City were getting into their stride and Watkins will be disappointed that he didn't do better when he stole in unmarked to plant a point-blank header from Scott Walker's cross straight at goalkeeper Paul Evans.

City were beginning to test the visiting defence and in the 16th minute had a great chance to get back on level terms when Ian Gosling was taken out in the box by Holland. There was much debate, but eventually Holland escaped with a yellow card and Wills drove his spot kick the wrong side of the post.

Five minutes later a great City move saw Wills fire in a shot that Evans did well to save and as the home side began to gain momentum another flowing move between Walker, Watkins, Tolley saw Martin head straight at the 'keeper again from point blank range.

With Martin impressive in midfield City forced a series of five corners, but the Bath defence always had that little bit extra when called upon at set pieces.

The second half in general belonged to City as they played the more attractive football and had a much more positive attitude.

The game was rapidly slipping away from Bath who began to instil the old traits of pro sides by delaying free kicks, going down with injuries and in general attempting to fragment and disrupt play.

Another fine move saw Watkins play in Wills, but Evans was equal to the task and saved well.

Substitute Phil Walsh posed a rare threat for Bath when he got to the by-line and pulled the ball across the face of the goal, but it passed through the box without anyone getting a touch.

Stewart Yetton almost grabbed the goal City deserved when he ran on to a through ball, but his cross shot was just tipped round the post by a stretched Evans.

Yetton was in the thick of the action again minutes later, but another good opportunity passed City by when his header from a cross whistled just over the bar The only save Chapman had to make in the whole match, apart from the goal, came three minutes from the end of normal time when he dived at the feet of Darren Edwards.

There was still drama deep into injury time when Yetton was brought down in the box by Holland. The referee awarded a penalty, but his assistant had his flag up for offside and with it City's cup dream ended for another year.

City couldn't be faulted for their attitude or effort, but failure to score for the first time this season denied them what would have been at least a richly-deserved share of the spoils.