Aveley (1) 2 Bath City (0) 2 – Saturday 26 April 2025 – Vanarama National League South – Parkside
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Nine-man Aveley held Bath City to a fiery draw to conclude the 2024/25 season.
The already-relegated hosts took an early lead through Luke Holness, before having Jason Ring and Harry Beadle dismissed within the hour.
Jesse Nwabueze levelled from the spot, awarded following Beadle’s red card.
The Millers took a shock lead through David Kawa but Scott Wilson levelled with three minutes left to clinch a point, and the sealed him the Golden Boot for Bath City this term with 10 to his name.
City’s excellent revival under Darren Way meant they arrived at Parkside with little to play for in their 650th National League South contest.
On the flip side, Aveley were relegated five games previous, but wanted to end Danny Scopes’ tenure on a high with the manager having already announced his departure after three-and-a-half largely successful years.
His side nearly made a dream start inside three minutes when Holness’ shot from 30 yards deflected heavily off the heels of Kieran Parselle and flew narrowly wide with Harvey Wiles-Richards at full stretch.
The front man wasn’t to be denied shortly after. Benefitting from a cute back header from Deese Kasinga, Holness escaped the clutches of Ollie Tomlinson and stabbed home past the exposed Wiles-Richards to put the hosts ahead – the first goal City had conceded in the first half for 16 games.
The Romans set about putting things right. Ewan Clark’s positive run was ended by a cynical foul from Ring on the edge of the box and a straightforward caution.
Clark’s tame free-kick hit the wall, while a set-piece at the other end nearly put City further behind.
Holness’ delivery saw Manny Ogunrinde find space with ease and the diminutive midfielder saw his header slam back off the crossbar before behind scrambled away.
Aveley were reduced to 10 men on 39 minutes when Ring’s second foul on Clark, a needless push off the ball, resulted in a second yellow for the long-serving defender, whose previous red was also against City in November 2023.
The Essex side saw out the rest of the half without any scares and predictably defended deeply to preserve their lead after the break, before shooting themselves further in the foot.
After Clark’s effort was denied at his near post by Holden, the resulting corner was dealt with but Beadle continued to tussle with Jordan Alves and caught him in the face right in front of referee Daniel Baines, giving him little option but to show a second red card and award a penalty.
Alves required a replacement shirt with his smeared in blood, but the delay didn’t phase Nwabueze who slammed home the spot-kick to Holden’s right for his first goal for the club.
Predictably the game turned into attack versus defence. City attempted to stretch Aveley on their narrow surface and try and tire them out, but too often the final delivery or decision making let them down. Combined with a determined display from the hosts, it left Way with little option but to mix things up midway through the second half, introducing Alex Fisher, Elliott Frear and Wilson for Luke Russe, Dan Greenslade and Nwabueze.
Clark came the closest to putting City in front when his curler from Mitch Beardmore’s pass hit the top of the bar and went behind.
Aveley introduced leading scorer David Kawa for the impressive Holness and he needed little time to make a mark on the contest.
A lack of communication at the back saw Parselle effectively impede Frear, and the captain’s slack clearance fell to Imran Uche in midfield.
His tidy pass put Kawa away on the right, and he danced inside of Tomlinson before wrong-footing Wiles-Richards at his near post to leave the visitors stunned.
Two substitutes had combined for that goal, and the same occurred at the other end 10 minutes later as City restored parity.
Louis Sweeten, on for Joe Raynes just after Kawa’s strike, was afforded room to deliver a delicious first time cross and Wilson peeled into space, allowing him to control before smashing past Holden from six yards.
He immediately grabbed the ball and dashed back to the halfway line, urging his teammates to raise their levels for the final few minutes to try and end the season on a high.
Parselle’s scuffed shot from Fisher’s lay-off saw the ball deflect kindly into Holden’s hands and Clark’s effort was blocked by the face of Tyrese Owen, highlighting the ‘bodies on the line’ approach of Scopes’ side to preserve a point.
Despite a succession of late free-kicks and corners, City couldn’t grab a winner in a game which ultimately summed up their season – not making possession count.
While Way has made a positive impact in steering his side comfortably clear of the drop, he’ll know that attacking additions are imperative this summer, with 47 goals scored being City’s lowest since the 2011/12 relegation from the Conference Premier.
Overall a lively conclusion to the season as the Romans clinched 15th spot and will hope to continue their improved end to the campaign into 2025/26.
Att: 510
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes (Sweeten 82), Greenslade (Frear 67), Parselle (c), Clark, Tillson, Russe (Wilson 67), Alves, Tomlinson, Beardmore, Nwabueze (Fisher 67). Sub not used: Horsell.
Scorers: Nwabueze (pen 57), Wilson (86); Aveley – Holness (9), Kawa (79)
City Bookings: Tomlinson (31), Raynes (44)
Officials: D Baines, K Bailey, M Chandwani, R Joss (4th)
