Saturday 18 September 2004 - St Marys Field - kick off 3.00pm FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round

Missing from the starting line-up were Graeme Power (ankle), Steve Jones (head), Justin Shuttlewood (ribs), Russell Milton, Stuart Fraser and Gary Owers (all knee), although the game did see the first appearance of keeper Paul Evans this season following his injury problems and a place on the bench for last seasons top scorer Scott Partridge after his knee operation. His fellow substitutes summed up City’s problems, though, with youth team players Will Puddy, Stuart Pearson and Yan Klukowski joining Reinier Moor on the bench. Before the home side had a chance to take any advantage of this City had had a goal disallowed from Sam Bailey and then took a 4th minute lead with an incredible strike from Jimmy Benefield. Bridport’s keeper Peters sent a goal kick to nearly the halfway line but straight to Benefield. He returned it first time toward the goal and from fully 50 yards it sailed over the stunned keeper into the roof of the net. Bobby Ford forced a smart stop out of Peters from a low free-kick moments later only for the Bees to level on 12 minutes from their first effort on Evans’ goal. Grant Monelle was harshly adjudged to have fouled Clarke and McCauley’s free-kick found the net via the same defender. Hammond fired a shot over the bar soon after this as City threatened to wobble but the 26th minute saw them regain the lead. Jim Rollo and Darren Hawkins combined well down the left flank and the latter was sent tumbling in the box by Riche’s despairing lunge. For the second game in succession the penalty was saved by the keeper only for the taker – this time John Williams – to reach the rebound first and make no mistake a second time. And 12 minutes later City extended their lead when Hawkins raced past Leach. He had Williams waiting for a cross but instead drew keeper Peters before lifting the ball over him into the net. Peters denied Hawkins and Tweddle before the interval to keep his side just within touching distance of City.

A thigh injury forced Mike Trought from the action at the break, Klukowski replacing the left-back. After the interval City struggled to find their rhythm again and for a 20 minute spell Bridport had the better of the play. Mark Radcliffe – brother of former City triallist Simon rather than the Radio 2 DJ – shot straight at Evans and Linney saw his shot deflected just over. A couple of dangerous crosses also briefly caused panic in the City defence but when these came to nothing the hosts faded and the last quarter belonged solely to City. Twice in as many minute the linesman’s flag halted City’s goal celebrations – Benefield and Tweddle the unfortunate ‘scorers’. The biggest (only?!) cheer of the afternoon came with 15 minutes left when Partridge entered the fray and he was soon looking as if he’d never been away. Bailey crashed a shot against the bar then Partridge sent Moor clear. He looked to have finally broken his City duck only to roll his shot agonisingly wide of the far post. Another Moor shot was comfortably claimed by Peters before in stoppage time City finally grabbed a fourth goal. Partridge was again involved as he broke into the box and crossed to give Hawkins a simple chance from a couple of yards out. And this time there was no linesman’s flag.