Fletcher double sees ‘bare bones’ City home

Two first half headers from Alex Fletcher saw City return to winning ways at Twerton Park this afternoon with a 2-1 victory over Eastbourne Borough. Despite having just 11 available outfield players – meaning they could only name two substitutes including keeper Will Fuller – City were good value for the win, dominating the first half before defending resolutely after the visitors had pulled a goal back midway through the second period. Eastbourne came into the game in good form but were second best for much of the first half. Cody Cooke stabbed an early chance just wide before keeper Worgan denied Fletcher from close range. However, he could do nothing to keep out Fletcher’s 16th minute header from a superb cross by debutant Ben Seymour. City continued to push for a second goal, a last ditch tackle from Nippard preventing Seymour a shooting chance and then Worgan saving well from the same player. In-between these chances the Sports had begun to show an attacking threat but four minutes before the interval City deservedly doubled their lead, Fletcher’s looping header from a Elliott Frear corner finding the net. City continued to enjoy the upper hand early in the second half but couldn’t increase their advantage and on 68 minutes Eastbourne pulled a goal back from nothing, Gravata’s well-struck shot beating Ryan Clarke. Lifted by this the visitors pushed forward but were restricted to just a handful of half-chances by City’s resolute backline. The Romans continued to look dangerous on the break and with five minutes to go Tom Smith almost sealed the win, shooting just wide. It wasn’t until the last minute that Clarke was called into real action, blocking Gravata’s shot at the near post, and after four minutes of stoppage time the whistle signalled a hard-fought three points for Jerry Gill’s side.