New Moon fails to shine as City beaten by high-flying Hemel

City were swept aside 3-0 by title-chasing Hemel Hempstead Town this evening at a wet and windy Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.

Under the temporary charge of Academy Manager James Moon, the Romans battled hard at both ends of the pitch during the first half. They stood firm in the face of several spells of pressure by the visitors and created a number of good openings when they got forward. Scott Wilson’s 25th minute shot was well saved by Johnson then Jordan Alves’ effort flashed narrowly side six minutes later. Their best chance came on 33 minutes when Wilson got in behind the Tudors defence. He lifted the ball past Johnson but saw it hit the inside of the post before being hacked clear by a defender. Hemel took full advantage of this escape in the final minute of the half. Williams got a fortunate rebound off Josh Laqeretabua before firing home from 25-yards.

City’s luck continued to desert them five minutes after the restart. Williams’ tame shot deflected of Kieran Parselle and, despite Laqeretabua’s desperate effort on the line, ended up in the net. Given the respective positions of the two sides this goal understandably set the tone for the rest of the game. Vilhete headed a corner against the post on 54 minutes. Having lost Luke Russe to injury when he landed awkwardly in the first half, City then saw keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards replaced by Charlie Binns before the hour mark. Hemel added a third goal nine minutes from time, Campbell doing well to keep the ball in before flashing a shot across Binns into the corner of the net.