City down Terras to progress in FA Cup

City reached the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round with a 2-1 win over Weymouth at Bob Lucas Stadium this afternoon. A thumping first half Dan Hayfield header and a close range Scott Wilson finish after the break put City in control of the tie before the Terras grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time.

Weymouth started the game on the front foot but after Wilson was denied by a smart stop from Benfield on 11 minutes it was City who took a grip on the game they rarely looked like relinquishing. Wilson saw a header fly narrowly wide of the post before Hayfield twice spurned great chances – slipping with the goal at his mercy from a Ewan Clark pull-back then seeing Benfield block his shot after he burst into the area. However, it was third time lucky on 39 minutes as he powerfully headed home Luke Russe’s cross. Kieran Parselle’s deflected shot almost made it two just before the break.

Weymouth improved after the break but City still looked fully in control of the tie. They did have one nervous moment in the 68th minutes when a goalmouth scramble saw several last-ditch blocks keep their lead intact. With 14 minutes left City made 2-0 when Elliott Frear’s corner was headed against the bar by Jordan Dyer and Wilson reacted quickest to stab ball home. It looked like City would coast to the final whistle after this but two minutes into stoppage time Bearwish’s free-kick appeared to deceive Ollie Wright and give the home side a lifeline. However, they couldn’t deny the Romans a deserved place on Monday’s draw.