Smith red and late scare but City reach final

City survived a late scare – including the sending-off of Tom Smith – before securing a place in the Somerset Premier Cup Final with a 2-1 win over Frome Town at Badgers Hill this evening. Without needing to get out of second gear they had controlled the game against the injury-hit home side, opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark when Cody Cooke steered Opi Edwards’ cross into the net. Just before the interval they should have got the chance to extend the lead from the penalty spot when Cooke latched onto Edwards through ball only to be pulled to the ground by Mitchell. Inexplicably the referee completely the missed the foul. The second half began with a long delay when substitute Ashmead suffered a serious knee injury but in the 59th minute a mix-up at the back allowed Scott Wilson the time and space to pick his spot and double City’s advantage. With the Robins reduced to ten men on 77 minutes – former City forward James Ollis unable to carry on with three subs already made – City were now content to retain possession and look to see the game out. However, two minutes from time, out of nothing, Jones stabbed the ball under Max Harris to give the hosts a lifeline. Then two minutes into stoppage time the numbers were evened up when Smith needlessly kicked out at Humphries to receive a straight red card. The closing minutes saw Frome win a number of corners and free-kicks – Robins keeper Locke spending more time in the City area than his own – but City managed to survive this late onslaught.

City will face Paulton Rovers in the final, after they beat Bridgwater United by a single goal this evening. The game will take place at The Optima Stadium, home of Weston Super Mare, on Tuesday 2 May, although that will need to be changed if the Romans reach the National League South play-offs.