Report | City take a point from two goals down

City came back from two goals down to take a point from a 2-2 draw at in-form Wimborne Town.

After a free-kick in a promising position for City broke down, a counter-attack for our hosts ended with Lewis Williams looking to profit as Jared Thompson blocked his effort before the loose ball was cleared.

A corner for the home side, won by the lively Williams, shortly afterwards was dealt with by Ben Richards-Everton without too many problems as our hosts looked to put their early mark on proceedings.

The home side took the lead in the eighth minute when a quick free-kick to the far post found Max Macaire who was able to make room for a strike that flew beyond the reach of Thompson.

As we looked to get into our stride, King Baidoo had a chance to run at the home defence before flashing an effort just wide of the target.

A free-kick from Josh Carmichael produced a good save from Thompson as we approached the 20-minute mark. Then Macaire fired straight at the ‘keeper as the home side played with confidence early on.

The second goal arrived when Carmichael drove home with a low strike from distance in the 25^th minute and it gave City plenty of work to do in order to get back into the game against in-form opponents.

It took until just after the half-hour mark for our first opportunity to arrive when Baidoo was threaded through and he used his pace to beat the defender before rounding the ‘keeper, but he was unable to find the net from a tight angle.

Thompson was forced to make another smart save to keep out a Cam Munn header from close range and then Michael O’Regan was alert to clear an inviting cross from Williams with ten minutes to go until the interval.

There was a yellow card for Hanks as half-time approached for his part in temperatures simmering over somewhat, but things quickly calmed down. It summed up the sheer frustration of our first half showing here as we went in at the break two goals adrift.

With a double substitution at half-time, Elis Watts and Sion Spence were introduced into the action in a bid to turn our fortunes around.

Having seen Ed Williams require treatment for a knock, which eventually forced him off, there was then a yellow card for Ben Richards-Everton for a strong challenge that gave the home side a free-kick in a good position as Carmichael went close.

We were starting to put together a few better passages of play as Harry Pinchard linked up with Marcus Day, who made a lively introduction from the bench to replace the injured Williams, to look for Kane Simpson, but the home defence was able to clear.

Our next raid saw Baidoo’s cross into the box dealt with without too many problems by Drew Eccott-Young. Shortly afterwards, Harry Emmett tried his luck as his strike was blocked for a corner, which came to nothing.

Some good play from Daniel Leadbitter saw him look to set Baidoo away, but his first-time cross was cleared. Then Pinchard combined with Watts who looked to make something happened, only for the home side to be alert to it.

A cross from Pinchard was cleared by home skipper, Sam Jackson, as Simpson lurked. Then Baidoo fed Simpson again moments later as this time Ben Scorey blocked his effort as we started to build up a head of steam.

There were shouts for a penalty as Day went down inside the area but instead of pointing for a spot-kick, Day was booked for diving. It was a curious decision that left most scratching their heads.

The goal that we had threatened finally arrived with 15 minutes to go when Watts got in a strike inside the area and the ball took a wicked deflection on its way beyond Kai Campton in the home goal.

It went from bad to worse for the hosts moments later when Scorey was red-carded for handball as Simpson looked to break through in search of an equaliser. It presented us with a free-kick right on the edge of the area which was fired straight into the arms of the ‘keeper by Watts.

A strike from Simpson as he cut inside was high, wide and handsome as we chased a leveller as the clock ticked down.

Whilst we were pushing forward, there was always the chance of being caught on the break and as Alex Borges looked to make something happen for the hosts, Richards-Everton did well to thwart his intentions.

At the other end, Baidoo went down under Carmichael’s challenge as, once more, any penalty appeals were waved away by the referee as play continued.

There were an additional seven minutes of stoppage time added on and in the 90^th minute Billy Walker felled Leadbitter. This time, it was a penalty! Pinchard stepped up and stayed cool to find the net as the ‘keeper went the wrong way to make it 2-2.

With the momentum behind us, Pinchard’s corner caused problems but the home side were relieved to hear the referee’s whistle as he blew for a foul by Baidoo on the ‘keeper.

The pressure remained deep into stoppage time as Watts posed questions with the hosts defending in numbers to keep us at bay and hold on to a point as it ended 2-2.

CITY | J. Thompson, Leadbitter, Morgan (Spence 46), O’Regan, Williams (Day 53), Hanks (Watts 46), Richards-Everton, Pinchard, Emmett, Baidoo, Simpson. Subs not used: Jones, Roberts.

Booking(s): Hanks, Richards-Everton, Day, Baidoo

Goal(s): Watts (75), Pinchard (pen 90+1)

Attendance: 748