Saturday 1 May 2004 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

With Jamie Cook missing due to a stomach bug, Steve Tweddle was drafted in to partner Partridge up front. A further unenforced change saw Steve Jones recalled in place of Drew Shore at left back. Russell Milton’s well-struck shot almost put City ahead within the first minute but it took less than two for the biggest Twerton Park crowd to celebrate an opening goal. Jim Rollo lifted the ball toward the Welling box where Tweddle’s neat header sent Partridge clear. Keeper Naisbett initially looked to come out but hesitated and Partridge easily rounded him before rolling the ball into the net from an acute angle. Before the celebrations had died down Partridge came within an inch of doubling the lead. His powerful run had Welling defenders backing off left, right and centre only for his low shot to hit the post and rebound to safety. Rollo’s teasing cross on nine minutes was almost headed into his own net by Henry as City continued to threaten with almost every attack. However, it soon became clear that having just about withstood this opening barrage the visitors weren’t going to roll over. Riviere began to cause City problems down the right flank and it was his 16th minute cross that saw Booth force a smart stop out of Paul Evans. Lively striker Collins then tested Evans with a snap-shot, although his unnecessary follow-up on the keeper only earned him a yellow card. The game was now fairly open with Tweddle seeing a shot blocked by Henry and Frankie Bennett ending a great move involving Bobby Ford and Partridge by shooting against Naisbett’s legs. On 35 minutes Booth’s free-kick just evaded the incoming Tyne and Strouts. Twice before the interval Tweddle wasted decent chances, blasting a shot into Riviere and lifting another effort narrowly over the angle of post and crossbar.

The Kent side began the second half on top and City were thankful to Evans twice in the opening ten minutes, first denying Booth and then claiming Collins’ header. In response Milton picked out Partridge only for Naisbett to block both his effort and Tweddle’s follow-up shot. He then tipped Partridge’s 64th minute shot to safety as City began to gain the upper hand. This pressure finally paid off on 69 minutes. Jason Eaton, who had only been on the field six minutes, tried his luck from just outside the box and the shot was clearly blocked by Statham’s arm. The referee pointed to the spot and after a period of unsporting delaying tactics from the Wings, Partridge stepped up to try to maintain City’s 100% penalty record this season. Naisbett ensured this perfect record was ended but, fittingly as City have suffered on the wrong end of three such decisions this season, the referee ruled that the kick was retaken for encroachment. The City no.10 made no mistake the second time. With the breathing space of a second goal City could relax for the last 20 minutes. They had one scare with five minutes remaining when Riviere was given a sight of goal eight yards out. However, Ford got back to produce a stunning block and City were spared a nervous closing period. In any other season the final whistle would have been greeted with delirious scenes but the ovation the players deservedly earned was balanced by the knowledge that the job of maintaining the clubs second level status was only half done. Next up were Dorchester Town and the increased pressure of the play-off’s.