Somerset Premier Cup 1st Round Tuesday 2 October 2007 - Twerton Park - kick off 7.45pm

Following Saturday’s tough FA Cup victory at Truro City, City had somewhat more comfortable progress in the Somerset Premier Cup against holders Team Bath at a damp Twerton Park. Goals from Martin Paul, a Lewis Hogg penalty and Phil Walsh eased City into the second round of the competition where they will face a trip to Clevedon United. The victory maintained City’s record of never having lost to their tenants – winning six of their seven meetings.

After their exertions in Cornwall on Saturday City would have hoped to rest a number of their first XI players but with Craig Davidge and Mike Green still out on loan at Clevedon Town, and Scott Rogers (calf) and Dave Gilroy (illness) missing they were forced into fielding a strong side. Paul returned to make his first start of the season, partnering Walsh up front with Steve Jones, Paul Keddle and Matt Coupe all starting after being on the bench at the weekend. It was clear from the opening exchanges that City had the edge over their opponents, Gethin Jones dragging a shot wide on 6 minutes and Paul heading against the crossbar four minutes later. Team Bath briefly threatened when Arnold flashed a shot across the face of the goal but after 17 minutes City took the lead. A deep Mark McKeever corner found Gethin Jones and his pull-back was turned home from close range by Paul for his 109th goal in City colours. Lewis Hogg had a great chance to increase the lead shortly afterwards but although his shot beat the keeper it lacked pace and allowed a defender to get back and clear the danger. Seconds later Warren was adjudged to have handled a Simpson cross and City were awarded a penalty. Hogg preserved his 100% record from the spot, beating Cooper with a well-struck kick. With a two-goal advantage City were happy to conserve energy after this, comfortably dealing with anything the ‘home’ side could produce. During this spell the over fussy referee Mr Johnson managed to hand out ludicrous bookings to Paul and Adie Harris, both for kicking the ball away. Just before half-time the impressive Keddle produced a great low cross that only a last-gasp interception from Warren denied Walsh a back post tap-in.

The pattern seemed set now, with City happy to contain Team Bath and the University based side rarely looking like they could find a way back into the game. Thompson occasionally got some joy down the left flank but it was still City who were creating the better openings, Paul lifting a shot over the bar on 51 minutes. When Team Bath did get near the City goal they found Evans in solid form, his handling confident despite the damp conditions. Even the introduction of Darren Edwards just after the hour mark – for Paul who had run himself into the ground by then – did little to lift City, although McKeever was beginning to look more threatening than in recent games. However, with ten minutes remaining City scored a third goal. Another substitute Jim Rollo picked out Walsh on the edge of the box and he fired a low shot into the corner of the net for his first goal of the season. There was still time for Cooper to produce an excellent stop from McKeever before the game came to an end.

After the tense encounter on Saturday this was an ideal run out for City, giving their squad players a useful 90 minutes and not pushing the regulars required to turn out. Although this competition, and the Setanta Cup, is certainly not a priority this season the usefulness of both showed, in particular, in the former respect. And it never hurts to put the tenants in their place, either.