Page 34 - Bath City v Havant & Waterlooville - Saturday 24 October - FA Cup

LOOKING BACK 1989/90 CONTINUED

as the game wore on and it came as no surprise when
they equalised 13 minutes from time. The rules of the
competition allowed for extra time to be played to try
to avoid the need for a replay, but Cheltenham, clearly
fancying their chances at home, declined so the teams
would have to meet again at Whaddon Road.
City returned to league action on the following
Saturday with another away game, this time a trip to
Burton Albion. The only change to the thirteen who
had been named for the previous games saw Darren
Tilley replace Andy Black on the bench.
Burton had by far the best of the first half, and after
MacDonald had given them the lead in the 36th
minute, they had chances to extend this before the
interval, hitting the bar and then forcing Jim Preston
into a last ditch save.
City drew level in the 58th minute when Chris
Smith’s cross was knocked back into the area by
John Freegard for Dave Singleton – on as a half-time
substitute for Jeff Meacham – to score his first goal of
the season. City were well on top now, and it was no
surprise when they took the lead in the 77th minute, an
unmarked John Freegard scoring from Dave Palmer’s
cross. They could have extended their lead right at
the end, only a smart save from the home keeper
preventing Dave Singleton from increasing his tally.
The Programme for the Welsh Cup tie with Cheltenham Town. City had the chance to continue their winning league
After the two home wins against Alvechurch and run at home to struggling Bromsgrove Rovers three
Corby, City found themselves on the road again with days later, Dave Singleton in the starting line-up for the
a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Weymouth, who first time in place of the injured Jeff Meacham, with
included former players Micky Tanner and Martyn new signing Ian Beare taking his place on the bench.
Grimshaw in their side. Bromsgrove started the strongest and City found
City, fielding an unchanged team for the third game themselves a goal behind after just five minutes, Paul
in a row, very nearly found themselves a goal down Stevens’ poor clearance going straight to Webb who
in the first minute when Iannone hit the bar. They gave Jim Preston no chance from 25 yards. They
gradually took control though and almost went weren’t behind for long though, as on the quarter hour,
ahead in the 35th minute, only a smart save by the Tony Ricketts got on the end of a deep free kick to
Weymouth keeper preventing an own goal. Their equalise.
pressure eventually paid off four minutes before half The rest of the first half was pretty uneventful, but
time though, Weymouth again being the agents of George Rooney’s half time team talk clearly had the
their own downfall when Compton’s poor backpass desired effect as City were much more positive in the
was intercepted by Paul Randall for his fifth goal in second period and they eventually went ahead in
three games. John Freegard made it 2-0 four minutes the 66th minute. A high clearance found its way to
after the restart when he slid home Gary Smart’s cross, Tony Ricketts who was denied his second goal of the
and even though Weymouth pulled a goal back as night when his lob over the goalkeeper was punched
early as the 53rd minute, it was always City who away by a Bromsgrove defender. Paul Randall made
looked more likely to get the next goal as they held on no mistake from the penalty spot. They weren’t really
comfortably for the three points. troubled for the rest of the game and made it safe three
Two days later City were back at Twerton Park for minutes from time when Gary Smart scored from Paul
a Welsh Cup tie against Cheltenham Town, only the Randall’s cross.
second time they had entered the competition. They LES BINGHAM
stuck to the same team that had seen them win their
last three games and took the lead after just four
minutes through a spectacular overhead kick by Paul
Randall past former City keeper Dave Mogg. City had
the better of the first half but Cheltenham grew stronger

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