Bath City (0) 0 Weston Super Mare (1) 2 – Saturday 9 November 2024 – Vanarama National League South – Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Bath City were made to pay for their mistakes by high-flying Weston-super-Mare as they suffered a fourth straight defeat.
Former City midfielder Sam Pearson opened the scoring in first half added time before the luckless Jerry Lawrence put through his own goal just after the break.
The Romans’ lack of goalscoring prowess cost them dearly as Weston made the most of their few attacks and comfortably saw the game out to go top of National League South.
Jerry Gill’s side remain 20th and without a win in six in the league.
Jack Batten headed wide inside 10 minutes for City when Joe Raynes’ corner was volleyed back across by Kieran Parselle, but his centre-back partner couldn’t find the target.
Micah Anthony’s acrobatic effort at the near post was comfortably taken by Max Harris in a lively opening by the hosts.
Anthony and Josh Phillips, both starting at Twerton for the first time, added energy and a bit of swagger for the Romans, who didn’t look overawed by the in-form visitors.
But the ongoing issue of lack of goal threat continued to haunt them. Harris, making his 100th appearance for Weston, all on loan, was seldom called upon and the Seagulls looked a threat on the counter.
Reuben Reid’s through ball forced Lawrence into preventing Ollie Chamberlain a shot on goal as their confidence grew.
Scott Bartlett’s side snatched the lead in the dying embers of the half.
Pearson poked the ball forward to Luke Coulson, who got the other side of Parselle near the edge of the box.
Harvey Wiles-Richards was caught in two minutes whether to press or retreat, allowing Coulson to unselfishly lay it on for Pearson, who side-footed home with the keeper at full-stretch.
Weston doubled their lead soon after the restart.
Coulson’s free-kick from deep to the far post bypassed a cluster of teammates but Lawrence unwittingly volleyed into his own net with Emlyn Lewis in close quarters, a blot on an otherwise impressive home debut.
Jordan Tillson, a one-time Weston loanee alongside England forward Ollie Watkins, picked up a caution for a spat with Dylan Kadji. It was his fifth of the season, meaning he’ll miss the home match with Maidstone United on 19 November.
Josh Phillips’ reverse cross was expertly chested down by Anthony before he volleyed wide under pressure from Keiran Thomas and Lewis.
Phillips drilled too close to Harris as City searched for a way back but failed to create a telling opening against the side with the best defensive record in the division.
James Dodd’s stinging effort was palmed away by Wiles-Richards with Nick McCootie mishitting the rebound straight at the City glovesman.
Sold by Gill early in his tenure seven years ago, McCootie looked keen to prove a point late on but slashed well off target after stepping inside of Raynes.
It made little difference as the win gave Somerset Derby bragging rights to the visitors for the second season running with home supporters left frustrated at the continuation of their misfiring side.
Att: 1644
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Batten, Parselle (c), Wilson, Tillson, Russe, J Phillips, Anthony, Lawrence. Subs not used: Wanjau-Smith, Humphrey-Ewers, Sardo, Fisher, Alves.
Scorers: City – none; Weston – Pearson (45+1), OG (51)
City Bookings: Greenslade (34), Tillson (53), Raynes (90+1)
Officials: N Pratt, M Hickson, L McFarlane, C Peters (4th)