FA Trophy 2nd Qualifying Round
Saturday 4 November 2006 - Bourne Park - kick off 3.00pm
half-time: 0-0 result: D0-0 attendance: 310
team: Evans, Rollo (c), Simpson, Coupe, G Jones, S Jones, Rogers (Davidge 85), Hogg, Zarczynski (Phillips 72), Partridge, Green (McKeever 72). subs not used: Pritchard, Holland.
man of the match: Matt Coupe
scorers: none
bookings: none
officials: to follow
league position: n/a form: LWLDWd next match: Sittingbourne (H)
Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

They were the happier set of supporters at the final whistle, but there were few smiles among City's travel-weary fans as their seven-hour round trip to Kent was rewarded with a grim game with no goals on a pitch that looked like it was home to a family of moles. City should finish the job for their hardcore supporters tomorrow night in the Twerton Park replay, although any Sittingbourne supporter considering the return journey would surely scoop the loyalty prize as Saturday's game hardly provided much of an incentive. In fairness to John Relish's side, the state of the Bourne Park ground made a smooth passing game impossible. If anything, City were guilty of overplaying on a pitch much more suited to Sittingbourne's kick and rush approach.

It had started off promisingly enough for the visitors. They piled on the pressure in the first and last five minutes of the first half, but sandwiched between that were several spells of Sittingbourne dominance. Makeshift midfielder Steve Jones had already blasted over from the edge of the box when Mike Green's great turn and shot from inside the edge of the area was well stopped by keeper Steve Williams with the game barely kicked off. A useful looking Sittingbourne came back into it after that, more due to their hoof and hope tactics than any great skill. City had defended well under some severe pressure when Sekani Simpson skied what should have been a routine clearance. The ball fell kindly for the on-rushing Andy Doerr, but he headed wide at the back post when he really should have scored. With the half coming to a close, Sittingbourne were on top when City suddenly upped the tempo. Their best chance came when a defensive slip allowed Scott Partridge to tee up Lewis Hogg, whose rifled shot struck a defender and flew wide, only for the referee to award a goal-kick.

The second half started scrappily with both sides struggling to string passes together on the Bourne Park minefield. City were the better side, but failed to turn their possession into chances, while a sense of urgency crept into Sittingbourne's attacks as the prospect of a very, very late night tomorrow loomed. It made for a much more open final half an hour and it was City who made best use of the space. They were camped on the edge of the Sittingbourne penalty area for long spells, but it was only when Mark McKeever was introduced as a 71st-minute substitute that they looked like creating a breakthrough. Two McKeever corners led to City's best efforts of the half with fellow substitute John Phillips forcing Williams into a very sharp goalline save with a low header. The resulting corner eventually came back to McKeever who shaped to shoot, dummied his marker and then drilled a low effort against the outside of the post with five minutes to go. The game was in injury time when a goalmouth scramble, caused by the referee blocking a clearance, resulted in Sittingbourne almost snatching a cruel winner.