Bath City Football Club

Meet the Manager Evening

Admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 22:21:05 +0000

Bath City manager Adie Britton will be speaking and answering questions from supporters in the club bar, Charlie’s, on Friday 2 March at 7:30.

All are encouraged to attend. Admission is free.

This Week’s Bath City Insider

Admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:33:34 +0000

Check out this week’s Bath City Insider, the official newsletter of Bath City FC, to find out what’s happening at Bath City this week. Here’s what you’ll read about inside:

First-year fan Kyle Brooks talks about why he loves Bath City FC.

Soccer AM (yes, really!) and a hoard of Norwegians pile into the Name the Stadium promotion.

An update on the Afrikit appeal by the Bath City Supporters Club

We settle once and for all, which Bath City player is the hairiest!

Read about all of this and more in this week’s edition. Just click here to read it, and make sure you subscribe for FREE by clicking here.

Bath City 0-1 Hayes & Yeading United

Admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:49:34 +0000

Match report by Neil Rose, courtesy of the Bath Chronicle.

Bath City 0 Hayes & Yeading United 1 (Thalissitis 38)

Bath City’s latest self-inflicted defeat could prove to be the fatal blow as it leaves them nine points adrift of victorious Hayes & Yeading United at the foot of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Once again Adie Britton’s men only had themselves to blame as another moment of shambolic defending allowed their fellow strugglers to take a first-half lead.

City’s back line allowed a long clearance to bounce on the edge of the box and, as keeper Jason Matthews raced into no-man’s land, Michael Thalissitis had the simple task of sending a looping header into the gaping net.

Ironically, Matthews had been recalled to the team following a costly mistake by Glyn Garner which gifted Ebbsfleet United the opening goal on Saturday – just one in a long line of poor goals conceded in recent weeks.

Winger Scott Murray also returned after a hamstring injury and Marc Canham was restored to the starting XI, with Marley Watkins and Joe Burnell making way.

With both teams having won just four league games between them since November, it was perhaps no surprise that the game was an extremely tentative affair.

It was the 17th minute before the first meaningful threat on goal arrived – and it should have led to the opener for City. Adam Connolly’s driven cross from the right was diverted goalwards by Sean Canham inside the six-yard box but straight into the face of Hayes keeper Steve Arnold.

City worked some decent positions without creating much – and then pressed the self-destruct button seven minutes before half-time when Thalissitis capitalised on some hesitant defending and a misjudged charge from his line by keeper Matthews to head a long clearance into the empty net.

It was a massive blow to City and it could have got worse seven minutes into the second period when Luke Williams produced some good footwork before picking out Julian Owusu with a cross, only for the striker to head over from six yards.

He missed another glorious chance midway through the half when a City corner was cleared to Hogg, who was dispossessed in midfield. A quick pass sent an offside-looking Owusu clear on goal but Matthews made amends for his earlier error by racing off his line to make a brilliant block on the edge of the box.

The keeper came to City’s rescue again moments later, pushing away a powerfully-struck shot by substitute Toby Ajala, as Hayes threatened to put the result beyond doubt.

Despite sending on attacking midfielders Marley Watkins and Chris Shephard, a home side looking increasingly devoid of confidence struggled to create chances, although the latter did at least work the keeper in the 76th minute with a hooked shot which had to be turned over.

An equaliser never looked on the cards, though, condemning City to a seventh successive defeat.

BATH CITY: Matthews, Simpson (Rollo 46), Gallinagh, Jones, Preece, Murray, M Canham (Watkins 74), Connolly, Hogg, S Canham, Phillips (Shephard 58). Subs not used: Doherty, Cook.

HAYES & YEADING UNITED: Arnold, Argent (Moutaouakil 58), Spence, Cadmore, Walsh, Pele, Hand, Bentley (Ajala 64), Williams, Thalissitis (Collins 80), Owusu. Subs not used: Beasant, Mulley.

REFEREE: Lee Swabey (Plymouth).

ATTENDANCE: 512.

Kidderminster Harriers – HOME

Admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:47:59 +0000

Saturday 25 February 2012, 3pm – BSBP

Hayes & Yeading United – HOME

Admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:13:28 +0000

Tuesday 21 February 2012, 7:45pm – BSBP

Bath City 2-3 Ebbsfleet United

Admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 17:13:17 +0000

Match report by Neil Rose, courtesy of the Bath Chronicle.

Bath City 2 (Jones 62, S Canham 90+7) Ebbsfleet United 3 (Pinney 8, Shakes 80, Ugwu 90+1)

Ten-man Ebbsfleet United scored two breakaway goals inside the last ten minutes to push rock-bottom Bath City closer to the drop.

The home side had recovered from conceding a woeful early goal to draw level and were looking to capitalise on a red card for visiting keeper Preston Edwards when they committed too many men forward, allowing sub Ricky Shakes to restore Ebbsfleet’s lead.

Gozie Ugwu then punished a poor back pass to make it 3-1 in the 90th minute, meaning Sean Canham’s fine strike in the seventh minute of injury-time was little consolation.

It was the latest in a long line of ‘if onlys’ for City, who squandered several chances and had a clear penalty turned down before succumbing to a 20th defeat of the season.

It was a must-win game for City, as evidenced by Adie Britton’s decision to deploy strikers Lee Phillips and Canham in the starting line-up for the first time since November 5.

Gethin Jones and Lewis Hogg also came into the team, at the expense of Paul Stonehouse and Marc Canham, while new signing Tommy Doherty had to make do with a place on the bench.

However, despite making a positive start to the game, City once again found themselves facing an uphill battle as they once again gifted the opposition a soft goal.

Just eight minutes had gone when an Ebbsfleet attack ended with a mis-hit shot running tamely through to Glyn Garner. The keeper dived on the ball, only to watch in horror as it squirmed under his body on the slippery surface, allowing Gozie Ugwu to tee up Nathaniel Pinney for a simple finish into the empty net.

It was the latest in a long line of defensive calamities for City, who have kept just one clean sheet in the Blue Square Bet Premier this season.

The rest of the half was like Groundhog Day for City as well, as they went on to have the better possession and opportunities without being able to forge an equaliser.

Sean Canham was flagged offside when he tapped home Marley Watkins’ cross-shot at the back post, while both Hogg and Phillips sliced shots wide with just the keeper to beat after the ball had deflected perfectly into their paths.

Andy Gallinagh also saw an eight-yard volley ricochet over from a corner, while City could feel very aggrieved not to have been given a penalty when shaky Ebbsfleet keeper Edwards seemed to bring down Phillips in the box.

Adding to City’s frustrations was the fact that referee Wayne Barratt had awarded a very dodgy injury-time penalty against them last month for Braintree, which robbed Britton’s men of a vital victory.

Ebbsfleet threatened occasionally on the break and almost doubled their lead when, from a set-piece, the ball broke for Calum Willock but Garner made some amends for his earlier error by producing an outstanding block at the striker’s feet.

City came out for the second half early, aware of its importance, and had another sight of goal in the 51st minute when Watkins’ drilled cross found Sean Canham unmarked at the back post. However, he attempted to chest the ball down but saw it squirm away from him and go out for a goal-kick.

The equaliser finally arrived in the 62nd minute. Phillips’ shot was deflected behind for a corner, which was swung into the box by Hogg. Ebbsfleet could only clear the ball back to the City midfielder, whose teasing cross was emphatically headed home by Jones.

And City were really handed the initiative five minutes later when visiting keeper Edwards was sent off in a needless incident. Moments after Ebbsfleet had a couple of penalty appeals waved away, Sean Canham went down in the centre circle.

While the striker was receiving treatment, Edwards raced out of his box to remonstrate with the referee. He also appeared to throw a punch at a City player and was immediately shown a red card.

Ebbsfleet took off Liam Enver-Marum and sent on replacement keeper Tom McNeil, who was almost beaten by Adam Connolly’s dipping volley within minutes of coming on the pitch.

City had an even better chance to take the lead 12 minutes from time when Hogg’s dangerous corner dropped inside the six-yard box but was prodded just wide by Mark Preece during a melee.

However, City’s desire to grab a winner ended up costing them another goal. Right-back Sekani Simpson did brilliantly to get to the byline and put in a cross which evaded everyone.

Ebbsfleet immediately launched the ball into the space Simpson had left free and Shakes – just three minutes after coming on as a substitute – burst clear before smashing an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner.

And Ugwu inflicted more misery in stoppage time when he latched onto a poor back pass and rounded Garner before rolling the ball into the empty net.

There was seven minutes of injury-time played in total, with Canham pulling one back with virtually the last kick of the game after being teed up by Shephard.

BATH CITY: Garner, Simpson, Gallinagh, Jones, Preece (Shephard 81), Watkins, Burnell, Connolly, Hogg, Phillips, S Canham. Subs not used: Stonehouse, Rollo, M Canham, Doherty.

EBBSFLEET UNITED: Edwards, Stone, Lorraine, Marwa, Willock, Phipp (Shakes 77), Howe, Enver-Marum (McNeil 67), Mambo, Ugwu, Pinney (Barrett 74). Subs not used: Smith, Stavrinou.

REFEREE: Wayne Barratt (Bromsgrove).

ATTENDANCE: 693.

See the Carling Cup this Saturday

Admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:21:18 +0000

The Carling Cup will be at Twerton Park this Saturday!

It will be on display at the club bar, Charlie’s, from 12:30-3pm. Everyone, including both home and away fans, is invited to come see the cup and have their picture taken with it for FREE!

To celebrate pints of Carling are going to be £1.50 each from 12:30-1:30pm. There will also be a happy hour in Charlie’s immediately after the game – Carling, Thatchers Gold and Worthington Creamflow will all be on sale for £1.50 a pint.

Later in the evening, Charlie’s will be hosting the reggae band Small Axe from 8pm. Tickets have been selling briskly to their wide following of fans, but for now can be purchased from the club office for £10 each.

PREVIEW: Bath City vs Ebbsfleet United

Admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:33:02 +0000

Bath City vs Ebbsfleet United
Saturday 18 February, 3pm
Twerton Park

Bath City’s recent shortage of players comes to a screaching halt when they fact Ebbsfleet on Saturday as up to five players will be making a debut or return to the squad.

Sean Canham and Gethin Jones, both of whom have been sorely missed, have now served the final match of their three-match bans. Recent signings Tom Doherty and Fran Bueno, of whom Doherty is the most likely to appear, are finally both available. Star winger Scott Murray, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, may also make an appearance.

It is a stark contrast to recent weeks, when manager Adie Britton has often not been able to name a full set of substitutes.

Saturday’s match is a key moment for City to return to full strength as well, with three vital home games scheduled within eight days. A strong set of results might be enough to get City’s revival back on track.

If ever there was a match where the Romans deserved an extra helping of luck, this would be the one. They faced Ebbsfleet last in late September when both clubs were equally struggling. As has been so typical this season, City started the game brightly and for the first twenty minutes dominated the game. Then a freak goal, perhaps the freakiest of the season, turned the game on its head.

At twnety-four minutes Tom Phipp Tom Phipp lined up a shot that keeper Glyn Garner appeared to have covered, but the shot deflected off the back of Callum Willock’s shoulder and looped into the net past a helpless Garner.

Although City again started the second half brightly, they never managed to regain their momentum fully and the Fleet came out 3-0 winners. It was Ebbsfleet’s first home win of the season.

MATCH FACTS: The match will NOT be segregated. Charlie’s, the club bar, will be open before and after the match, as well as at halftime. The Carling Cup will be on display at Charlie’s from 12:30 – please see the accompanying article on this website for details.

Shane Morgan Elected to Board

Admin — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:17:02 +0000

In a meeting held last night the Bath City FC board of directors officially elected Shane Morgan (pictured centre) as the newest member of the board.

Shane is well-known to in the Bath City community, and is an active member in most of the club’s various support organisations. Besides having served for many years on the committee of the Supporters Club, he is also involved with Bath City Youth FC, Bath City Supporters FC, and the club trust – the Supporters Society. He may be best known to many fans, however, for his most visible role: managing the Tea Bar on the Poplar Side with his wife Kirstie at all home matches. Shane has joined the board having been nominated by the Supporters’ Society committee in the capacity of Society representative.

Shane has replaced the previous Supporters Society representative to the board, Pete Sellwood. Pete joined the board in November 2010 and has during this time very successfully overseen the club’s involvement in community events and projects. Although Pete will no longer be active at the boardroom level, his work still continues in his new role of Bath City FC Sports Foundation chairman. Pete organised the new Foundation in 2011, and, as well as assuming control of the previously successful Attacking Skills programme in local schools, the Foundation is busy starting new projects including a local five-a-side youth football league.

The board wish both Shane and Pete the best of luck in their new roles and looks forward to many further years of successful collaboration with both of them.

Newport County 1-0 Bath City

Admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:56:08 +0000

Match report by Neil Rose, courtesy of the Bath Chronicle.

MATCH REPORT: Newport County 1 (Minshull 12) Bath City 0

A Severnside derby lacking in passion, quality and chances ended in Bath City losing further ground on Newport County in their increasingly forlorn battle against relegation.

The visitors had the majority of possession but struggled to do anything with it and ultimately paid the price for another moment of sloppy defending, which gifted County the only goal early on.

City, with Joe Burnell in midfield and Mark Preece starting at centre half, made the better start and forged the first chance in the seventh minute when Marc Canham’s corner broke to Chris Shephard, whose shot was blocked.

However, not for the first time this season, they shot themselves in the foot by gifting the opposition the lead against the run of play. City’s defence failed to deal with a cross from the left and the ball fell to Lee Minshull, who made no mistake from eight yards.

Another error almost handed County a second soon after, with Paul Stonehouse’s pass being charged down and putting three home players through on goal. However, Ryan Charles elected to shoot and was denied by a fine near-post save from Glyn Garner.

Despite the setback, City remained confident and committed to a passing game, which should have brought dividends midway through the half. A flowing move ended with Canham pulling the ball back to Lee Phillips, whose shot was only parried by Glyn Thompson. However, Shephard put the loose ball wide of the far post from six yards.

It wasn’t the first time in the half that City got some joy down the right but it was the only time a chance came of it, with the final ball being poor on too many occasions.

That meant the visitors were unable to fully capitalise on some hesitant defending from County, with Thompson looking particularly nervous when he drilled a routine clearance straight at Phillips. Fortunately for the home keeper, the ball deflected away from goal and out for a throw.

Phillips also got away from the back four moments later and cut in from the left to create a shooting chance but saw his curling shot take a nick and deflect wide.

County emerged for the second half looking in more determined mood and forced a couple of early corners, the second of which was played low to the unmarked Elliott Buchanan whose drilled shot went through a crowd of players but inches wide of the far post.

City were looking desperately short of fight and spark in midfield, which boss Adie Britton sought to remedy by bringing on Lewis Hogg for a below-par Canham.

But before the change could take affect, City should have found themselves 2-0 down. Again a corner was not cleared and the ball dropped perfectly for Gary Warren inside the six-yard box, only for the former Team Bath defender to smash his volley miles over.

That miss kept City in the game and they almost levelled in the 64th minute when Shephard’s low cross from the left was allowed to reach Marley Watkins, whose shot was deflected narrowly wide off target.

Thompson was forced into action for the first time in the second half moments later, showing alertness and good hands when Stonehouse drove a free-kick low towards the near post.

However, despite finishing the stronger team and having five minutes of stoppage time, City were unable to force an equaliser with Stonehouse going closest when he volleyed narrowly over in the dying stages.

NEWPORT COUNTY: Thompson, Baker, Warren, Foley, Hughes, Pipe, Charles (Rose 80), Rodgers, Buchanan (Reid 68), Minshull (Harris 85), Chapman. Subs not used: Potter, Knights.

BATH CITY: Garner, Simpson, Gallinagh, Burnell (Russell 82), Preece, Connolly, M Canham (Hogg 58), Stonehouse, Watkins, Shephard, Phillips. Subs not used: Matthews, Rollo, Egan.

REFEREE: Steve Bratt (Walsall).

ATTENDANCE: 1,130 (46 away fans).