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Saturday 23 April 2005 - Damson Park - kick off 3.00pm Southern League Premier Division 
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| half-time: 1-0 | result: W4-0 | attendance: 225 |
| team: | Evans, Rollo, Power, Coupe, Jones, Ford (c), Story (Benefield 74), Owers (Milton 84), Partridge, Williams (Paul 45), Sykes. subs not used: Hulbert, Klukowski. |
| man of the match: | Scott Partridge |
| scorers: | Williams (44), Sykes (65), Paul (73), Partridge (75) |
| bookings: | Rollo (15) |
| officials: | S Cook, R Bird, M Asplen |
| league position: 8th | form: WddWWW | next match: Aylesbury (H) |
City did what they had to by comfortably brushing aside the challenge of rock bottom Solihull Borough but results elsewhere meant that their play-off hopes are left in the hands of others next Saturday. The result of this match was never in doubt once John Williams had headed them in front just before the interval. The goal came at a cost to City’s top scorer as he was knocked unconscious in the challenge and had to be stretchered off but second half goals from Alex Sykes, Martin Paul and Scott Partridge gave City a measure of revenge for their 1-0 defeat against Borough at Twerton Park, and also boosted their goal difference which could yet play a part next weekend.
A back injury picked up in training sidelined Chris Holland which handed Matt Coupe a recall at the back and Partridge was named ahead of Paul following his goalscoring substitute appearance the previous Saturday. It took City just six minutes to fashion their first opening when Gary Owers was fouled 20 yards from goal and Sykes brought a smart stop out of Shiels from the free-kick. The next chance also fell to Sykes after he latched on to a great pass from Owen Story but he wastefully fired over the bar. In contrast to many games this season the feeling was that City would turn this domination into goals eventually and they were getting steadily closer to breaking the deadlock. On 31 minutes it was only the bar that saved Solihull as Owers’ long-range effort struck the goal frame. Seven minutes later City did have a scare from the home side’s first effort on goal. A clearance fell perfectly to Shepherd to unleash a dipping volley that had Paul Evans at full stretch to tip over the bar. No doubt surprised by this close-call a minute before the break City finally went ahead. Sykes’ shot was blocked to Story and his teasing centre was headed home by Williams. He clashed heads with defender Hodnett in the challenge and despite initially getting to his feet after treatment he collapsed again and had to be carried off. He was replaced by Paul but there was little further action in the prolonged spell of stoppage time.
The second half began in a somewhat farcical manner as Solihull substitute Adams was booked for coming on without informing any of the officials. Early in the half Danks shot over following a neat turn but it was soon all City. Sykes sent one effort narrowly wide but his aim was better after 65 minutes. Bobby Ford’s corner was only half-cleared and Graeme Power and Paul combined well to set up Sykes, and his left foot shot found the corner of the net. The game won it was now just a case of how many goals City could score. Within eight minutes it was three and a notable goal it was. Power’s long ball forward sent Paul running clear and he drilled a 20-yard shot home to register his 100th goal for City. Number four completed a full set of goals for City’s strikers as substitute Jimmy Benefield’s low cross was turned home by Partridge. Further chances came City’s way after this but they couldn’t add to the score, in fact they had to thank Evans again late on when he turned away Peer’s shot to secure his fifth successive clean sheet.