End of Season Award Presentation (30/4/17)
Following yesterday’s 2-1 win over Welling United to conclude the 2016-17 season, City held their end of season awards presentation. Andy Watkins was named supporters’ player of the year and also picked up the golden boot award for his 14 goals. Players player of the season went to George Rigg and the managers award was won by Billy Murphy. The full list of winners is:
- Supporters’ Player of the Year: Andy Watkins
- Players Player of the Year: George Rigg
- Managers Player of the Year: Billy Murphy
- Supporter of the Year: Martin Brush
- Young Supporter of the Year: Brandon Jenkins
- Golden Boot: Andy Watkins (14 goals)
- Goal of the Season: Chas Hemmings (Hemel Hempstead Town A)
- Players Youth Team Player of the Year: Adam Forster
- Managers Youth Team Player of the Year: Harry Pruett
- Supporters’ Youth Team Player of the Year: Ben Greening-James
City kiss season goodbye on winning note (29/4/17)
City secured a first Vanarama National League South top 10 finish for three seasons as they brought the curtain down on the 16-17 campaign with a 2-1 win over Welling United at Twerton Park this afternoon. After an even opening to the game City went ahead on 18 minutes. Andy Watkins’ great pass sent Nick McCootie clear on goal and he fired the ball into the roof of the net. Seven minutes later it was Watkins humself on the scoresheet, with a close range tap-in after Miles Welch-Hayes had burst in from the left and lifted the ball past keeper Lewington. McCootie then almost took advantage of a mistake by Leacock before Axel Andresson forced a fine low stop from Lewington from a free-kick right on the edge of the box. The rest of the half was largely incident free but Watkins almost grabbed a remarkable second shortly after the break. He nipped in behind ex-City centre-back Phil Walsh to flick the ball toward goal with his heel which Lewington only managed to keep out at full stretch. The game was increasingly looking like an end-of-season affair after this but, although City continued to pose the greater attacking threat, it was the visitors who grabbed the final goal 12 minutes from time through Hatton’s rocket-like 35-yard free-kick.
After the game City held their end of season awards presentation with Andy Watkins picking up the supporters’ player of the season. Full details of all the winners to follow tomorrow.
Clarets hold off City in eventful final away day (22/4/17)
City’s third successive Saturday trip to Essex – and final away game of the 2016-17 season – was an eventful affair as they lost 3-1 to play-off bound Chelmsford City. The game turned in a 60-second spell in the final quarter as City had what appeared a stonewall penalty turned down and then saw the home side race straight down the pitch to net a third goal. City controlled the opening stages of the match and deservedly went ahead on 13 minutes, although not without some good fortune as Marvin Morgan saw his initial shot blocked by keeper Fitzsimons only for the ball to rebound off his shin into the net. Morgan was only denied a second by a full stretch save from Fitzsimons seven minutes later but the Clarets began to improve as the half progressed. However, it took a dreadful error by Axel Andresson to gift Spillane a simple equaliser three minutes before the interval. And just before the hour mark it got even worse for City’s Icelandic captain when he could only turn Theophanous’ cross shot into his own net. Nick McCootie was then denied by Fitzsimons after a strong run as the hosts looked to slow the game down and try to catch City on the break. Then with 14 minutes left a ball over the top sent Morgan racing toward goal with Spillane struggling to keep up with him. The defender desperately tried to pull him to the ground before he got in the box but finally dragged him to the floor a yard inside the area. However, the referee clearly thought he was in charge of a rugby match for a moment and viewed the ‘tackle’ as legitimate. With the City players still confused as to what game they were playing the resultant clearance saw Chas Hemmings slip and allow Theophanous a clear run on goal. And with no City player near enough to rugby tackle him he rounded Max O’Leary before slotting the ball home. Ironically Spillane was sent off five minutes from time for a nasty challenge on Andy Watkins. City did manage to create a couple of half-chances but ten-man Chelmsford were rarely troubled in seeing out the remaining time to win by three tries goals to one.
City bank holiday win over stagnent Poole (17/4/17)
City enjoyed one of their most comfortable wins of season at Twerton Park this afternoon as they swept aside Poole Town by three goals to nil. It was the Romans first victory of the season against a top 5 side – although the Dolphins will not be allowed to compete in the play-offs due to insufficient facilities at their Tatnam Stadium home – and it rarely looked in doubt once Marvin Morgan had headed the opening goal on 14 minutes. He reacted quickest when Poole failed to deal with an Axel Andresson long throw and almost added a second later in the half when his cross evaded eveyone before clipping the outside of the post. Nick McCootie did have the ball in the net six minutes after the goal but the strike was ruled out for a marginal offside decision and Andy Watkins was denied from close range by keeper Hutchings on 35 minutes. Max O’Leary made one good stop during the half from a Brooks header but that was a close as the visitors would come in the first half. City deservedly doubled their lead five minutes after the break when Morgan’s perfect through ball sent Shawn McCoulsky clear to confidently slot past Hutchings. City did have a scare midway through the half when Miles Welch-Hayes was forced to clear a goalbound shot off the line. Eight minutes from time McCoulsky was only denied his second goal by the crossbar, however, City did make it 3-0 four minutes later when substitute Chas Hemmings fired into the foot of the net after Andresson’s header had been parried by Hutchings. He almost grabbed a second in stoppage time only for the over-worked keeper to just reach his firm header but it was still an impressive all-round performance from City in their penultimate home game of the campaign.
Quickfire double sends City to Rocks defeat (15/4/17)
Although there was no repeat of the 7-1 humiliation that City suffered on their only previous trip to Rookery Hill, home of East Thurrock United, two goals in five first half minutes meant the second leg of their Essex triple-header ended in defeat this afternoon. With both sides playing for little more than pride the opening 20 minutes saw little in the way of goalmouth action. The hosts were looking to get the ball forward quickly down the channels, compared to City’s more measured approach, and it was this tactic that paid off twice either side of the half hour mark. First Wraight crossed for Higgins to score at the far post, despite Max O’Leary nearly keeping his close range effort out, then five minutes later Higgins turned provider, crossing for Harris to drive the ball home. Strong runs by Nick McCootie and Shawn McCoulsky almost got City back into the game and then Billy Murphy fired a shot narrowly wide before the interval. City had a lucky escape early in the second half when Higgins struck the post, the ball then rebounding off O’Leary’s back for a corner. City were beginning to look more threatening up front, McCootie forcing a save from Lidakevicius then the keeper keeping out a shot from Marvin Morgan. Josh Hutchinson also saw a goalbound shot blocked before Morgan looped a header onto the top of the bar but that was a close as the Romans would come to getting back into the game.
Have a free burger via A-Plan Insurance! (14/4/17)
A-Plan Insurance will be at Twerton Park during the Bath City vs Poole Town game on 17th April 2017 buying fans a burger. To claim yours simply visit them pitch side on the day, (you will spot them in their red fleeces) let them know your insurance renewal date and they will buy you a burger!*
A-Plan Insurance are proud to be working closely with Bath City FC and for every new policy that goes on cover quoting ‘Bath FC’ they will donate £25 towards the running of the club. Please call 01225 788044 for more information or visit www.aplan.co.uk/bath.
*Terms and conditions apply, you will be required to provide your name, contact details and insurance renewal date in order to receive a free burger. A voucher will be given which can only be redeemed on the date received. A-Plan is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
City bounce back to put five past Concord (8/4/17)
City bounced back from their heavy home defeat to champions-elect Maidenhead United last Saturday at Twerton Park by putting five goals past Concord Rangers without reply in Essex this afternoon. Nick McCootie had already had a header ruled out for offside before Andy Watkins put City in front on 14 minutes, reaching the ball ahead of keeper Vose to roll it into the unguarded net. Ten minutes later Chas Hemmings’ 30-yard effort bounced down off the underside of the bar a foot over the line to make it 2-0. City continued to control the game and five minutes before the break McCootie was pulled down in the box by Della-Verde and Axel Andresson – captaining the side in place of the injured Frankie Artus – slotted home the penalty kick. There was still time for City to make it 4-0 before half-time when Shawn McCoulsky held off a defender to slide the ball under Vose. The second half saw the home side enjoy greater possession but they were largely restricted to long-range efforts and it was City who completed the scoring two minutes from time, McCoulsky tapping in Miles Welch-Hayes’ cross from close range.
Season Tickets on sale now – Save up to £64! (7/4/17)
Be part of the new era at Bath City as our Community-Owned Club gears up for a promotion push in the 2017/18 season, by buying a season ticket. Get four matches FREE and support your club with your commitment to the team. It’s just £220 compared with the 21 match ticket price of £273 – Save £53.
We can’t wait for the new season to start as Gary Owers leads our team into the National League South challenge.
Discounted prices are as follows:
Senior: £161 (65+) – SAVE £49 – Buy Now
Student / U18: £144 (U18 on 31st August 2017) – SAVE £33 – Buy Now
U16: £19 (U16 on 31st August 2017) – SAVE £23 – Buy Now
Join us and be with the team for every kick, every goal and every victory!
AGM gives go ahead to Community Ownership (3/4/17)
The Bath City FC Ltd AGM took place last Tuesday evening in Randall’s bar. A positive meeting saw the current board present accounts for the last few years and seek authority to take the steps necessary for Community Ownership to go ahead. Shareholders unanimously supported motions to issue 300,000 new shares to be offered to the Supporters Society and also to grant a second charge on the ground to lenders to the club in return for a fixed five year, interest-free term on their loans. The legal process of share purchases and changes of directors will now take place over the coming two weeks, with a target of mid-April for completion. Outgoing chairman Paul Williams said, “It was pleasing to have a positive AGM where all resolutions were passed and paved the way for the next exciting chapter in the Club’s history.”
Thanks to everyone for their support and patience as we move into this exciting new era for the club.
Magpies fan embarks on Macmillan charity walk (2/4/17)
Following yesterday’s game Maidenhead United supporter Tristan Browning embarked on a 109 mile walk back to the Berkshire town (no doubt with a broad smile on his face after his club’s 5-1 victory) to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. You can read further information on his Twitter page including a details on how you can sponsor Tristan and all at City wish him the best of luck.
City have no answer to five-star Magpies (1/4/17)
Maidenhead United remained firmly on course for the Vanarama National League South title and, in the process, ended their 100% losing record against City at Twerton Park with a 5-1 victory this afternoon. The Magpies had lost all eight of their previous meetings with City in Bath but from the moment Tarpey put them ahead from the penalty spot after 10 minutes the chances of this run extending to nine games never looked likely. The penalty was awarded after Jack Batten has wrestled Marks to the floor and Tarpey almost scored again six minutes later when his header hit the bar with Max O’Leary beaten. City had their moments in the first half but the visitors always looked the more threatening and two goals in as many minutes meant the game was over as a contest before the break. On 39 minutes Comely’s perfectly weighted pass allowed Barratt to set up Tarpey to tap in his second then Marks created space in the box to slide home number three. Maidenhead’s only real weakness appeared to be against set-pieces and from two of these in the final moments of the half City struck the frame of the goal – Marvin Morgan and Shawn McCoulsky the unfortunate players. Had either found the net the second half could have been different, instead United were awarded another penalty six minutes after the restart when Sekani Simpson tripped Tarpey. O’Leary got a hand to the spot kick but couldn’t deny the record-breaking striker his hat-trick and 41st league goal of a remarkable season. To their credit City kept playing and looked to have won a penalty of their own when George Rigg’s shot was blocked by a defender’s arm but this time the referee didn’t point to the spot. They did finally grab a goal on 67 minutes when Naby Diallo cut inside from the left before firing a low shot past ex-City keeper Pentney. There were no thoughts of an unlikely comeback though as Maidenhead continued to press forward and they completed the scoring three minutes from time when Cox lifted a perfect volley over O’Leary.