Cup defence ends in penalty shoot out loss

City’s hopes of retaining the Somerset Premier Cup ended this evening on penalties against Weston Super Mare at Twerton Park. The game ended goalless after 90 minutes before the Seagulls secured a semi-final place with a 6-5 shoot-out win.

Both sides fielding strong starting XIs but struggled to create clear-cut opening, particularly during a low-key first half. City’s best chance of the half came on 20 minutes when Richard Chin’s cross found Scott Wilson but his shot was well blocked by Humphries. Shortly afterwards the visitors won a free-kick around 25 yards out but Grubb sent his effort high over the goal which rather summed up the opening 45 minutes.

An early shot across the face of the goal by Grubb hinted at an improved second half but it wasn’t until the closing stages that either side began to threaten to break the deadlock. On 78 minutes a hanging cross from Joe Raynes saw James Alabi rise above his marker but his header flew narrowly over the bar. Seven minutes later Weston came the closest to scoring all evening when Humphries header flicked the outside of the post. A couple more half chances for both sides came and went before the final whistle signalled a second penalty shoot-out for City in 2024.

Unfortunately, the outcome was the same as the FA Trophy exit against Coalville Town. City’s first five penalties were all successful as Cody Cooke, Chris Lines, Ewan Clark, Danny Greenslade and Alabi all beat ex-City keeper Max Harris. However, Weston were equally clinical through Grubb, Humphries, Mannings, Soule and Thomas. This took the shoot-out to sudden death and Jack Batten saw his effort saved by Harris. And although Josey Casa-Grande got a hand to Dodd’s effort he couldn’t keep it out to end City’s interest in the competition for another year.