Fletcher strike ensures repeat Angels win

An early Alex Fletcher goal was enough to secure a third successive victory for the Romans against Tonbridge Angels at a warm and sunny Twerton Park this afternoon. The game followed a similar pattern to when the sides met in Kent back in August, City scoring early then conceding the majority of possession but with few real scares at the back. Fletcher latched onto Tom Smith’s great reverse pass after just seven minutes before neatly slotting the ball past Henley. With the visitors needing a point to be mathematically safe from relegation they responded well to this setback, Taylor shooting straight at Ryan Clarke and Joe Raynes denying Smith-Joseph with a great block. Just before the half-hour mark another superb pass from Smith freed Fletcher again but this time Henley was equal to his effort. The pattern of the game changed little after the half-time break as City continued to defend in numbers but occasionally look threatening on the break. On 57 minutes Cody Cooke forced a good double block from Henley before Clarke marked his 40th birthday with the save of the game, keeping out Taylor’s well-struck shot. Although both sides fashioned further half-chances, this turned out to be the final time either keeper was really tested. Henley came up for a stoppage time corner but this came to nothing and moments later the referee’s whistle signalled another hard-fought 3 points for City.