City emerge victorious from FA Trophy penalty shoot-out against Robins

City beat Frome Town on penalties at a wet and windy Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park this afternoon to progress to the FA Trophy 2nd Round. The game finished goalless after 90 minutes before City emerged victorious 4-3 in the shoot-out.

The non-stop rain and strong wind in the first half saw both sides struggle, although it was the visitors who looked the more threatening going forward. They should have taken the lead on 14 minutes but Ali blazed a great chance over the bar. City responded with an Ollie Chamberlain shot that flew narrowly over in the 22nd minute. Just past the half hour mark Harvey Wiles-Richards saved well from Drew. City came close to breaking the deadlock seven minutes before the break when Sev Streczen’s looping header dropped onto the top of the bar with keeper Phillips beaten.

The rain continued after the break but with the wind easing off City began to gain the upper hand. Streczen’s 52nd minute shot was well saved by Phillips, then three minutes later a corner was diverted goalwards by Ollie Tomlinson for Donovan Wilson to touch home but an offside flag halted the celebrations. Wilson had the ball in the net again ten minutes later, racing clear from Pedro Elawar’s pass, but again a flag denied him a goal on his return to action. The closing stages saw both side press for a decisive goal. Wiles-Richards produced a stunning finger tip save to keep out Ferris’ header before Matt Bowman was somehow denied a back-post tap-in by a great tackle by Lucas. The final chance fell to City by Phiilips saved at the feet of Alex Fisher to send the game to penalties.

Hopkins netted first for the Robins before Reuben Reid levelled the scores. Frome blinked first as Wiles-Richards saved from ex-Roman Davies. Joe Raynes made no mistake then Gould made it 2-2. It stayed that way when Alex Fisher saw his kick saved by Phillips. However, Lucas blasted the next kick over the bar. Enzio Boldewijn then squeezed his penalty under Phillips and Ferris scored his effort. It fell to Matt Bowman to fire home and secure a fourth successive penalty shoot-out win for the Romans and a place in Monday’s 2nd Round draw.