Eastbourne Borough (0) 1 Bath City (0) 0 – Saturday 23 November 2024 – Vanarama National League South – Reach TV Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
George Alexander’s 95th minute scrambled finish inflicted a sixth defeat in seven for Bath City.
Interim boss Lee Kendall appeared to have picked up a second successive draw as his side stood firm in farcical conditions.
Storm Bert wreaked havoc at the ReachTV Stadium with a swirling wind ruining the contest, which looked destined to finish goalless.
However a momentary lapse at the back from a set-piece cost City dear – the third time in a week they’d conceded in added time.
Ben Seymour came in as one of three changes for the Romans, making his second debut on loan from Torquay nearly three years after making his initial bow against Eastbourne.
He partnered Scott Wilson in a 3-5-2 formation in a bid to match up the hosts.
Facing the wind in the first half, City coped well against a side unbeaten at home in the league. Yahya Bamba cut inside of Jordan Alves and Dan Greenslade before his low drove was batted away by Harvey Wiles-Richards.
Kai Innocent nearly broke the deadlock on 20 minutes. Following a lengthy wait to take a free-kick with the ball unable to stay still on the 3G surface, his whipped delivery to the back post cannoned off the post with Wiles-Richards beaten.
He and Courtney Clarke sent in many teasing deliveries but a lack of anticipation from those in the box means they raced away, much to City’s relief.
Wilson curled too close to former Bath keeper Joe Wright from distance and Joe Raynes ballooned way over having raced forward from wing-back.
Boro’ had a penalty shout turned down right on half-time when Innocent went down under a challenge from Raynes but referee Charles Martland remained unmoved.
The second half was a tough watch with the ball seemingly spending more time out of play than in, highlighted by Raynes putting little pace behind a corner only to see it fly straight out.
Alex Fisher replaced the tiring Seymour with the hosts making four changes to try and force a winner.
They were afforded an opportunity in the fifth of six minutes added on.
Jordan Tillson tripped Alfie Pavey 30 yards out and following a twice taken free-kick, the first brought back with the ball not stationary, Boro’ forced home the only goal of the game.
Brayden Johnson played the ball short to David Sesay. His low delivery wasn’t the best, but City made a mess of defending their penalty box and Alexander benefitted, stabbing home from six yards past the luckless Kieran Parselle on the line.
Wiles-Richards denied Stefan Vukoje a second with a comfortable save but it made little difference as City’s winless run stretched to nine in all competitions.
Att: 921
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greensalde, Batten, Parselle (c), Wilson, Tillson, Russe, Alves (Tomlinson 90+6), Lawrence, Seymour (Fisher 72). Subs not used: Humphrey-Ewers, J Phillips, Anthony.
Scorers: City – none; Eastbourne – Alexander (90+5)
City Bookings: Lawrence (58)
Officials: C Martland, N Blogg, R Egan, J Wilks (4th)