League leaders toppled in five-goal Twerton Park thriller

A Will Jenkins Davies double and first Romans goal for Matt Bowman saw City beat league leaders Worthing by three goals to two this afternoon at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.

City got off to the perfect start inside four minutes when Jordan Alves burst forward and was clipped right on the edge of the box by Byron. After a moments consideration the referee awarded a penalty and Jenkins Davies blasted it into the roof of the net. A great run by Jaiden Putman ten minutes later almost led to City doubling their lead but his cross-shot was blocked. City suffered a setback just past the half-hour mark when keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards – having been caught late by Jenks a few minutes earlier – had to be replaced by Charlie Binns. However, within a minute City made it 2-0. Odei’s dreadful touch from his keeper’s pass gifted possession to Bowman and he slotted the ball past Jeffries from 12 yards.

City started the second half brightly with Luke Russe breaking away down the left flank but his low cross just evaded Alves. The visitors were beginning to press City deeper into their own half now but struggling to create clear cut chances. They finally pulled a goal back on 70 minutes when Binns failed to claim Remy’s cross allowing Jenks to shoot home. City responded strongly, substitute Alex Fisher forcing a good block from Jeffries in the 77th minute, Jenkins Davies seeing his goal-bound follow-up blocked. Ten minutes later they made it 3-1 as Fisher raced onto Putman’s ball forward to cross for Jenkins Davies to steer the ball past Jeffries. The Rebels grabbed a second goal from Godziemski’s looping header deep in stoppage time but straight from the restart the referee blew the final whistle.