Saturday 17 January 2004 - Woodspring Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

With loan star Darren Hawkins suspended and Mike Trought out injured, Frankie Bennett and Matt Coupe were restored to the starting line-up. One further change saw Drew Shore replace Josh Jeffries on the left flank. Both sides saw half chances come and go in the opening 15 minutes. Scott Partridge’s long range effort was directed straight at Jones and Jason Eaton shot high and wide after latching onto Partridge’s lay-off. For Weston former City striker Gilroy headed Slater’s cross inches over the bar. For a spell the game began to follow a familiar pattern as City started to gain the upper hand without ever looking capable of breaking the deadlock. Another ex-City player, Brad Thomas, who was making his debut for the Seasiders, blocked a Shore effort on 19 minutes and moments later Eaton shot wide. Those two players combined after 25 minutes only for the latter to hastily shoot directly at Jones. A rare attack forward saw Weston create the clearest opening so far. A poor Jim Rollo clearance allowed Corbett to race clear. He rolled the ball past Mark Bryant but, to the relief of the 250+ City fans, also wide of his right hand post. Their relief did not last much longer though as from the home sides next opening on 33 minutes they took the lead. Corbett was given far too much space down the right and his cross was tucked home by Hogg. This signalled Weston finishing the half strongly and Steve Jenkins had to clear Clark’s shot off the line after Bryant’s weak punch had dropped to the ex-Bristol Rovers defender.

Gary Owers made a change at half time replacing Eaton, who had allowed his frustration to get the better of him several times toward the end of the first half, with Bobby Ford. This switch saw Bennett push up alongside Partridge. Ford showed several neat touches and on a number of occasions City strung a series of passes together. However, time and again this pretty approach play lacked a killer final ball and the hosts were content to sit deep and absorb this pressure. A rare sight of goal for Partridge yet again ended with a shot too near Jones and Ford also failed to stretch the keeper with a 54th minute effort. The clearest chance for City fell to Partridge on 66 minutes. Ford was the creator with the pass that allowed Partridge to advance on goal. He carried the ball to the corner of the six yard box before attempting to lift it over Jones, only for the keeper to get a vital touch and deflect the shot to safety. It was clear that City were fast running out of ideas, Bennett was easily held off the ball in another promising position and Jones plucked a cross of his head from just a couple of yards out. The game ended with a minor setback for Weston when Rose received a red card for a foul on Coupe but this had no effect on the final score as there was no time for City to make their numerical advantage count. But you know they wouldn’t even if there had been more time.