Bath City (2) 3 Maidstone United (2) 3 – Tuesday 19 November 2024 – Vanarama National League South – Twerton Park
Match Report by Oscar Stevens.
Bath City kicked off a new era at the club with a thrilling 3-3 draw against a stronger Maidstone United.
Monday night’s news of manager Jerry Gill’s departure after seven years had dominated the build up to the game. However there was a sense of anticipation around Twerton Park as interim manager Lee Kendall took charge for the first time, hoping to overturn City’s winless run.
The home side started off on the back-foot, easily succumbing to Maidstone pressure. Without key midfielder Jordan Tillson, due to suspension, City struggled to have a period of possession within the first 15 minutes.
However, the Romans remained clinical in attack, getting a goal with their first shot of the game.
Joe Raynes floated in a delicious ball from a free kick, finding the leaping Jack Batten, who headed the ball down for Scott Wilson to poke it into the back of the net.
A wave of City energy followed, feeding off the buzzing home crowd, who were delighted to just see their team winning a match.
Nevertheless this joy was short-lived. Poor communication and a clumsy challenge saw a penalty awarded to Maidstone, allowing Ben Brookes to calmly slot the ball down the middle, levelling the scores.
The Stones then rode with the momentum. Utilising an effective long ball and the attacking talents of new signing Greg Cundle, George Elokobi’s side denied Bath any real foothold on the game.
Maidstone were then awarded for their dominance when a great defensive clearance from a dangerous cross saw the ball land on the edge of the box for Anthony Papadopolous. A moment of magic then followed from the Crawley Town loanee, sweetly catching the ball on the volley and guiding it into the top corner.
City had to respond well and they did. Constantly attacking through the left-hand side of Micah Anthony and Scott Wilson, for the first time Bath looked on top.
The continued pressure finally forced a defensive error, leaving space for Wilson to charge towards the away end. A loaded shot followed, denied by an incredible save from Alexis Andre Jr.
Luke Russe then picked up the ball off the rebound and drilled it into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.
Following an entertaining first period, the second half began with the home side again on the back-foot.
A fantastic goal-line clearance from Alex Fisher spared the Romans’ blushes on the 47 minute mark.
However the intensity from both sides never seemed to drop. The away side dominated possession while City remained a constant threat on the counter.
Then, out of nothing, substitute Jordan Alves was gifted the ball after an horrendous error from the Maidstone defence, tapping the ball into the open goal to send the home crowd wild.
The ecstasy was to be short-lived though. With Maidstone through on goal Batten mistimed a valiant last ditch tackle, leaving the Black and Whites down to ten men with a nervy 15 minutes remaining.
With their backs to the wall, the Romans put in a fine defensive effort that would have impressed any legion.
Raynes and Harvey Wiles-Richards produced some standout performances in defence, with the latter making some vital saves and remaining solid under a barrage of crosses.
However George Elokobi’s men got the final say. A corner four minutes into added time saw the ball beautifully looped to the edge of the box where captain Sam Corne produced a beautiful strike to shatter the hearts of the home crowd.
Bath will now be hoping to build on the positives ready for Saturday’s tough away fixture against third-place Eastbourne Borough.
Att:771
City’s LIne-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Batten, Parselle (c), Humphrey-Ewers (Alves 62), Wilson, Fisher, Russe, Anthony (Frear 81), Lawrence (J Phillips 87). Subs not used: Sardo, Pritchard.
Scorers: City – Wilson (16), Russe (35), Alves (63); Maidstone – Brookes (pen 24), Papadopoulos (28), Corne (90+4)
City Bookings: Russe (68), Raynes (77)
City Dismissal: Batten (74)
Officials: J Woolmer, N Whittington, D Spyer, P Barber (4th)