Bath City Women (1) 1 Warminster Town Ladies (0) 3 – Sunday 6 August 2023 – Pre-Season Friendly – Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman
Former Bosnia international Hari Sabic opened her account, but it wasn’t enough as Bath City Women fell to defeat at home to Warminster Town Ladies.
Striker Sabic broke the deadlock just before half-time in an even opening 45.
But a strong second half from Warminster, who ply their trade a level above, consigned Matt Abreu’s side to back-to-back pre-season losses.
A brace from centre-back Jasmine Harris and a Sammy Kirk header proved the difference at Twerton Park, all three goals arriving in the space of 15 minutes.
Amy Key had City’s first effort, shooting into the side-netting after Sabic’s brilliant reverse ball.
Sadie Farley bravely denied Tia Harris after Maddy Brown’s teasing ball from the left picked out her fellow forward.
Sabic opened the scoring on 44 minutes when she expertly turned away from Emily Smith before rolling past Abi Footner at her near post.
Mils Bellotti hooked Key’s corner over just after the break before City, depleted in numbers, found themselves under the cosh.
Mia Blazey’s half volley flew harmlessly wide and Brown shot wide on the counter.
Farley spread herself to deny Brown before an equaliser arrived on 62 minutes.
City failed to clear a corner and the ball ricocheted to Jasmine Harris, who smartly placed home from 18 yards.
She added a second, this time Brown’s corner bounced in the box and the centre-back guided home via a knee from close range.
Farley did superbly to tip Brown’s strike around her near post, but from Blazey’s resulting corner substitute Kirk neatly glanced in a third.
The hosts’ final chance arrived in the last minute when Key’s return ball from her own corner saw Emily Dellow’s drive unwittingly blocked by teammate Ashley Harris.
Abreu’s team conclude pre-season in two weeks’ time at Bristol Rovers, KO 2pm (Sunday 20 August).
City’s Line-Up: Farley; Whale, Bellotti, Gray, Black; Harris, Taylor; Key, Wright, Dellow; Sabic. Subs used: Fensome, Wells.
Scorers: City – Sabic (44); Warminster – Harris (62, 69), Kirk (77)
Referee: Brian Bishop