Ten Man Romans FA Trophy hopes ended by Peterborough Sports

City exited this season’s FA Trophy at Twerton Park this afternoon at the hands of Southern League Premier Central side Peterborough Sports. The decisive goal came in first half stoppage time and City finished the game with ten men following Tom Mehew’s second booking midway through the second period. With Step 3 leagues currently suspended and City coming into the game on the back of a three-week Coronavirus break it was both sides opening game of 2021 but only the home side showed any rustiness during a one-sided first half. Three corners for Sports in opening five minutes set the tone, although City briefly responded on 10 minutes when Tom Richards’ diving header was saved by Moat. A combination of Will Henry and Grant Horton denied Sano Sani on 19 minutes then ten minutes later Hilliard’s free-kick crashed against the bar with Henry appearing to get a slight touch to the effort. Just when it looked like City would reach the break level they gave the ball away in midfield one too many times and Sano Sani sent Jones clear on goal to fire past Henry at his near post. The second half saw the visitors understandably begin to tire but they still posed a threat going forward, Jones heading Sembie-Ferris’ cross just over. And City’s hopes suffered a further blow on 66 minutes when Mehew picked up a second yellow card. Despite this they began to pose more of an attacking threat but Moat was rarely troubled in the Peterborough goal. Sembie-Ferris could even afford to miss another clear-cut chance in the closing stages before the final whistle signed the end of City’s interest in cup competitions for this campaign.