Next Match – Weymouth (A)

Bath City return to the scene of their FA Cup triumph in Dorset for a National League South clash against Weymouth tomorrow evening.

The Romans got the better of the Terras at the Bob Lucas Stadium on the last day of September this season, coming away from the 3rd Qualifying Round clash with a 2-1 victory. Dan Hayfield and Scott Wilson scored for the Stripes in a convincing win. Tom Bearwish’s deflected free-kick pulled one back for Weymouth in injury time at the end of the second half, but the hosts were second best for large periods of the match and City fully deserved the victory.

Weymouth’s form has improved slightly since then, however – at least in terms of not losing games. Going into the FA Cup tie just over a month ago, they had collected just 11 points from their 10 league games to date, and had won only once in their previous six league matches. Since then they have played six times in the NLS, have drawn four of those matches, beaten Eastbourne Borough, and only lost away at league leaders and local rivals Yeovil Town. Dan Roberts has scored three of the seven goals they have recorded in that time.

City have themselves continued to play well over the past month, but unlike before the FA Cup match, they do not have the results to show for it. The impressive 3-0 victory over high-flying Taunton Town notwithstanding, the Romans have lost at Worthing in the FA Cup, only collected one point in the league – away at Braintree Town – and go into this match on the back of successive league defeats at the hands of Worthing and Torquay United. This despite strong team performances in both matches that probably warranted taking something from each game.

In last season’s encounters between Weymouth and Bath, City took all three points at Twerton Park in the league in September 2022 – Alex Fletcher and Cody Cooke sealing what was then a third successive home win for the Romans and cost visiting boss David Oldfield his job. But Weymouth evened it up by winning 1-0 at the Bob Lucas Stadium in April. On that day, a late Bearwish penalty eased their fears of relegation and effectively put an end to Jerry Gill’s fading hopes of his team earning a place in the play-offs.

Gill has some history with the Terras – briefly managing them in 2010 during a turbulent period amid financial difficulties. Since then nine bosses have given it a go at the Bob Lucas Stadium, current incumbent Bobby Wilkinson was appointed just over a year ago.

This season, City are currently fourth in the league, while Weymouth still languish in 17th place. But it is never an easy trip to the South Coast and the Terras will be hard to beat. Unfortunately there will be no Supporters Club coach this Tuesday, and no trains back to Bath after the game. But even if you can’t get to the match, you can still follow all the action on Bath City Radio – and wish your commentator, Mark Stillman, a happy birthday!

Who – Weymouth v Bath City
When – Tuesday 7 November, 7.45pm
Where – Bob Lucas Stadium