Magpies swoop in to inflict heavy home defeat on City

City suffered their biggest defeat under the tenure of Darren Way this evening as Maidenhead United ran out 4-0 winners at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.

The Romans got off to the worse start possible when with just 35 seconds on the clock Jack Batten headed a cross into his own net. The visitors looked to build on this gift, penning City back for much of the opening 15 minutes. However, they were fortunate to retain their lead on 19 minutes when Kieran Parselle’s header struck the bar. That turned out to be as close as City would come to denying the Magpies as they doubled their lead five minutes later through Popoola. Harvey Wiles-Richards saved well from Dulson on 30 minutes but he couldn’t keep out the same player’s speculative shot six minutes later to make it 3-0.

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback disappeared within six minutes of the restart when a poor clearance allowed Popoola to net with a low shot. A heavy shower then swept across the ground adding to the gloomy nature of the evening. City continued to look for a consolation goal but only an overhit Joe Raynes cross gave Maidenhead keeper van Stappershoef a nervous moment. Maidenhead fashioned several more openings to match the total on their last visit to Twerton Park but in the end were content to see out the closing stages knowing the points had long since been secured.