U16s go free on Non-League Day (31/8/14)
To mark the 2014 Non-League Day City are offering free entry to all Under 16s at next Saturday’s Vanarama Conference South game afainst Whitehawk at Twerton Park (ko 3pm). With the international break meaning their are no Premier League or Championship fixtures it is the perfect opportunity to come and support your local non-league club. For further details on Non-League Day visit www.nonleagueday.co.uk and you can download a poster to advertise the event here. Please let all your friends and family know about Non-League Day and the deal for U16s and help City to a bumper gate against the Hawks.
Pratt and Stearn fire City to maiden win (30/8/14)
City recorded their first win of the 2014-15 season this afternoon, coming from behind to deservedly beat Boreham Wood by two goals to one. The game looked to be following a similar pattern to City’s previous outings when, after an even opening to the game, the home side took the lead through Thomas’ long range shot. However, the Romans repsonded well, Dave Pratt and Andy Watkins seeing efforts deflected narrowly wide and right on the stroke of half-time the former headed an equaliser from Ross Stearn’s cross. Jason Mellor produced an excellent save early in the second half then on 53 minutes Stearn latched onto Pratt’s pass to fire City ahead. Ashley Kington’s rising shot almost extended the lead but despite Boreham Wood enjoying the better of the possession during the game’s closing stages they couldn’t deny City a long-awaited victory.
Country Care Homes to sponsor programme (26/8/14)
Bath City are pleased to announce that their match day programme has been sponsored, for season 2014-2015, by Country Care Homes owned by City fan Chad Doveton. Country Care Homes comprises of Firlawn Nursing Home in Holt and Hill House Residential Home near Chippenham. Bath City Commercial Executive Bob Chester said, “We are really pleased to have acquired a programme sponsor and are grateful to Country Care Homes for their continued support of the club. Our match day programme is of a very high quality and a tremendous amount of work goes into ensuring this is so.”
Chad Doveton commented, “Firlawn nursing home and Hill House offer the kind of comfortable and pleasant surroundings that people seek when they need help with daily living. Our expert staff are trained to a high standard to ensure that residents are well cared for and protected in a safe, homely environment. People who choose to come to us say that it is the warmth and kindness of the staff that makes up their minds. We are proud to be associated with a professionally produced publication like the Bath City programme, which compliments the high standard of our own business brochure and website”.
Mistakes cost City dear once again (25/8/14)
City’s early season struggles continued at a wet Twerton Park this afternoon with a 2-1 defeat to Havant & Waterlooville, both of the visitor’s goals coming from calamitous defensive mistakes. City suffered a blow pre-match when influential midfiedler Frankie Artus was ruled out through illness but the next setback was entirely self-inflicted on nine minutes. A long hopeful punt forward saw Jason Mellor come rushing from his goal only to collide with Andy Gallinagh giving Hooper the simple task of rolling the ball into the unguarded net. Further slips from Gallinagh and Sekani Simpson presented the Hawks with further openings but these went begging and City were denied an equaliser midway through the half, Young tipping Dave Pratt’s header around the post. Virtually all Havant’s attacking threat had come via City mistakes so the manner of their second goal four minutes after the interval was entirely in keeping with the game – Hawks keeper Young’s clearance taking one bounce before beating Mellor as he desperately tried to keep the ball out. A surging run and cross by Ross Stearn saw Ashley Kington head against the bar moments later and with 18 minutes left City finally got some luck of their own when Andy Watkins’ deflected shot found the net. However, there was no late flourish from City, despite throwing men forward in the serach for the equaliser, and but for more wayward finishing the visitors could have won by a greater margin.
City launch 14/15 away shirt (22/8/14)
City have revealed their away kit for the 2014-15 season. The Jako-produced shirt sees a return to yellow, accompanied with blue shorts and socks. Supporters can purchase a replica shirt at Bank Holiday Monday’s game with Havant & Waterlooville at Twerton Park (adult sizess £35 and child sizes £27).
Joe Burnell has re-signed for the club and subject to registration will be available for the Vanarama Conference South game against Havant on Monday.
Latest on Walsh ankle injury (18/8/14)
City defender Phil Walsh is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a badly dislocated ankle during the second half of Saturday’s goalless draw with Chelmsford City. The 30-year old was stretched off just before the hour mark after landing awkwardly and taken straight to hospital where x-rays revealed the extent of the injury, although there was no break or fracture. He has now been released but will return in a couple of weeks time for further examination.
Duck broken with Chelmsford point (16/8/14)
City are still looking to open their goalscoring account but they picked up a first point of the 2014-15 season with a goalless draw against Chelmsford City at Twerton Park this afternoon. With both sides coming into the game on the back of defeats in their opening two league games they began the game nervously, although it was the visitors who enjoyed the majority of possession. Slowly City began to impose themselves on the match but chances remained at a premium. It wasn’t until first half stoppage-time that the deadlock was almost broken, Frankie Artus’ 18-yard shot crashing against the bar with Claret’s keeper Eyre well beaten. As if stunned by this escape the Essex side appeared to lose any interest in winning the game after the break, happy to sit back and time-waste at every opportunity. Ben Adelsbury almost made them pay for this approach, forcing Eyre into a fingertip save, midway through the half. City suffered a setback when Phil Walsh was stretchered off with a serious-looking ankle injury, but they continued to be the only team trying to force the pace. They couldn’t find a way through the massed ranks of Claret shirts though, leaving them with a different sense of frustration at the final whistle to their reversals against Concord and Basingstoke.
U18s to face Rovers in Twerton Park friendly (13/8/14)
City’s U18 side will face their Bristol Rovers counterpart’s at Twerton Park on Tuesday 19 August (ko 11am). Free admission.
Four-goal blast sees City beaten again (12/8/14)
Four goals in the opening 30 minutes sent City crashing to a second straight defeat of this fledgling Vanarama Conference South campaign at Twerton Park this evening, Basingstoke Town taking full advantage of the gifts offered up by the hosts to record their first victory of the season. A sixth minute cross was turned into his own net by Andy Gallinagh to set the tone for the evening. City did briefly respond positively to this setback – Frankie Artus and Andy Watkins both sending headers narrowly wide – but it was Basingstoke who struck again on 18 minutes when Williams fired home after Jason Mellor parried McAuley’s shot into his path. Two goals in as many minutes before the half-hour mark ended the game as a contest. First Flood struck after Dunn’s mis-hit shot dropped kindly to him then Enver-Marum had all the time and space he needed to shoot past Mellor. City should have pulled a goal back early in the second half, Artus blasting over the bar, and they did create several further openings during an improved second half display. However, there were also several defensive moments reminiscent of the opening 45 minutes, Enver-Marum and Flood both dragging shots wide and the latter heading home only for a linesman flag halting the celebrations. The game ended with Watkins scuffing a shot wide to deny City even the small consolation of a first goal this season.
2014-15 season starts with heavy Concord defeat (9/8/14)
City began the 2014-15 season with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at Concord Rangers this afternoon. A goal after just seven minutes was followed by two second half penalties to send City to their heaviest opening day defeat since the 2008-09 campaign. Just seven minutes was on the clock when Cawley found room in the box to fire past Jason Mellor. Chris Allen came closest to levelling for City, lifting a shot narrowly over the bar midway through the half, but it was a disjointed performance from City and the hosts could have added to their lead before the interval. Within seven minutes of the restart they did make it 2-0, Glozier beating Mellor from the penalty spot. Andy Watkins saw an effort blocked on the line after he rounded Concord keeper Butler but with 20 minutes left a second penalty, this time converted by Chiedozie, ensured there would be no comeback for City.
Prior to the match former Bristol Rovers defender Pat Keary signed a deal for the season following a series of impressive pre-season performances.
City complete pre-season with Yate win (2/8/14)
City completed a promising pre-season campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Yate Town at Lodge Road this afternoon. Ross Stearn had already struck the bar and post before Sekani Simpson’s 26th minute shot found the net via a slight deflection. City continued to dominate the game against the Southern League Division 1 South and West side, Stearn and Dave Pratt going close, and just before the hour mark those two players combined for the former to make it 2-0. Frankie Artus was denied a third goal by a fine save late on but the result will send City into their opening Vanarama Conference South fixture at Concord Rangers next Saturday in confident mood.