British Gas Business Football League Premier Division Tuesday 20 March 2007 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm

Report taken from by Stephen Ware

City boss John Relish was left to savour a stunning success over his old club. He said: "We're delighted. The first half was a real battle, we edged it but there wasn't much in it. In the second half we played really well and ran away with the game. They've got one of the best defensive records in the league, so to score four against them was very pleasing. It was one of our games in hand on Team Bath, so it was important we won it." The victory was soured, however, when referee Martin Strong sent City assistant boss Adie Britton to the stands at the end of the first period, apparently in a case of mistaken identity. Strong's attention was attracted to the bench by assistant Steve Thomas, who had been involved in a heated altercation with Relish. "The referee said Adie swore at the linesman," said the City boss. "I don't know what the linesman heard, but it's not come from our bench. I want to take this all the way, because I know we're in the right. We'll wait for the referee's report and take it from there."

City made a bright start and Darren Edwards charged clear of the Martyrs back-line after just four minutes and appeared to have his shirt pulled by Grant Thomas when preparing to pull the trigger. Walsh was similarly impeded moments later before Scott Rogers blazed City's first shot over the bar on the 15-minute mark. The hosts should have taken the lead five minutes later when a slip by Darren Davies presented Walsh with time to drill the ball across the face of goal where Edwards was inches away from converting. Adie Harris presented Merthyr with their first sight of goal midway through the half, but Matt Coupe was alert to head Rhys Carpenter's effort behind. Gareth Wharton's back-header had keeper Ashley Morris scrambling and, from the ensuing corner, the ball was cleared to Jones, who curled delightfully into the far corner at the second attempt having missed the ball altogether with his first.

City found an extra gear after the break and Walsh should have extended their advantage in the first minute of the second period when he headed straight into the arms of Morris. But the lanky forward made no mistake with a carbon-copy chance 60 seconds later as he powered home Edwards' cross. Mark McKeever went close with a free-kick as City continued to turn the screw and Edwards almost converted Hogg's cross. On 72 minutes, City put the game to bed when Hogg scored from the spot after a Jamie Rewbury handball. The busy Hogg nearly added another after latching on to Edwards' through ball before Craig Moses and Neil Smothers had breakaway opportunities. But substitute striker Paul - only drafted in as emergency cover for the injured Scott Partridge - scored the goal of the night to secure the win when the referee ruled his thunderous volley had crossed the line after it cannoned off the underside of the bar.