First half Boro fightback can’t stop rot (30/1/16)
City slipped nearer the Vanarama National League South relegation zone after they lost 5-2 at Eastbourne Borough this afternoon. Having fallen two goals behind midway through the first half, goals from Dave Pratt and Nick McCootie drew City level before the interval, but the hosts struck three times in the second half to condemn the Romans to a fifth successive defeat. With just four minutes on the clock Pinney squared the ball for Evans to fire home a low shot from 20 yards. City responded well to this setback so it was against the run of play when Eastbourne doubled their advantage on 22 minutes. The goal was all down to City though as Andy Gallinagh’s underhit backpass saw Steve Phillips’ hurried clearance rebound off Pinney into the net. This was the sort of bad luck that always seem to bedevil struggling teams but 13 minutes later a scuffed goal-kick by home keeper Carey fell to Pratt and he held off two defenders to make it 2-1. And on the stroke of half-time Frankie Artus and Andy Watkins combined to set-up McCootie to net from six yards. All this good work was undone a minute into the second-half when a one-two between Taylor and Pinney saw the latter slide the ball under Phillips. And within five minutes it was 4-2 when McCootie handled the ball in the box and Evans tucked away the penalty. There would be no comeback this time and Borough completed the scoring ten minutes from time, Simpemba looping a header home from Evans’ free-kick.
City can confirm that they have extended the loan deals of three players. Defender Jack Batten has signed for a third month from Bristol City, whilst left-back Danny Greenslade (Bristol Rovers) and striker Eliot Richards (Cheltenham Town) have agreed to remain at Twerton Park for a second month. Leaving the club is Jack Smith who has signed for Ryman League Farnborough.
Community Day set for Saints visit (27/1/16)
On Saturday 20th February Bath City will entertain St Albans City in our annual “Community Day” fixture. This will be a “Pay What You Want” fixture with 10% of the money taken on the gate being donated to Dorothy House Hospice Care – the charity which Bath City FC is supporting this season. The Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation will put on a half-time “walking football” match and we hope to fill the Family Stand with children from various schools that the Foundation supports with football coaching.
We are pleased to announce that number of local businesses have already agreed to sponsor the event – our thanks to: Lidl, Sitec, Curo, Anthem Publishing, Moore Stephens, Domino’s Pizza, Thrings Solicitors, the Bath City FC Community Sports Foundation plus a group of Bath City Exiles.
We also are pleased to announce that on Community Day a New Orleans style brass band – Horning Glory – will be providing pre-match entertainment. We would like to thank the Big Bath City Bid team for sponsoring their performance.
More information about the day will be announced in the coming days.
Eliza and the Bear to visit Twerton Park (25/1/16)
Pop group Eliza and The Bear will be performing at Moles in Bath on Friday 29th January and as part of their UK tour they are trying to visit as many football grounds as possible. Band member, Chris said, “On this tour we decided to visit a football ground on each day of the tour whether it be non-league or premier league teams! We wanted to get a photo inside/outside each ground and tie an Eliza and the Bear scarf to a railing for people to pick up. In the 80’s/90’s my dad was an ambulance man, and when he used to drop patients off in different cities he used to go and have a photo outside each ground with his crewmate and ambulance!” The club look forward to meeting the group on Friday at Twerton Park. Already they have visited a number of clubs including Cambridge United, Norwich City and Colchester United.
Wasteful City suffer another home defeat (23/1/16)
City suffered a sixth successive home defeat this afternoon, losing by a single goal to Concord Rangers. The deciding strike came in the 12th minute from a White free-kick but City, lead by Jim Rollo and Adie Britton followed the departure of First Team Coach Lee Howells earlier in the week, crafted enough clear cut chances to have comfortably won the game. Even before the visitors scored, the excellent Nick McCootie teed up Ashley Kington only for keeper McNamara to save with his legs. McCootie then failed to hit the target with two long range efforts before, on the half-hour mark, he cut inside his marker to force McNamara into another good block. Concord were content to slow the game down at every opportunity with a rare foray into City’s half, one such effort ending with the ball in the net only for the referee to rule out the ‘goal’ for a foul on Steve Phillips. The second half began with Andy Watkins breaking clear and sending in a low cross that McCootie stepped over to give Bradley Williams a clear sight of goal only for a defender to block his goalbound shot. City continued to dominate the game and create openings, the next falling to Watkins only for McNamara to rescue his side once again. Substitute Eliot Richards sent two headers narrowly over then a perfectly timed run by Dave Pratt saw him burst clear but, as he was being brought down by McNamara, the linesman had inexplicably raised his flag for offside. This summed up City’s frustrating afternoon, with a couple of further late efforts flying just wide of the target.
Board statement on managerial position (20/1/16)
Adrian Britton has asked the Board to be released from his contract as Director of Football but has agreed to look after team affairs with Jim Rollo until a new manager has been appointed.
We hope to conclude this process within two to three weeks and applications are invited to be sent to Paul Williams, Bath City Football Club, Twerton Park, Twerton, Bath BA2 1DB or by e mail to paul.williams@bathcityfootballclub.co.uk.
Lee Howells leaves Bath City FC (18/1/16)
Lee Howells has left Bath City Football Club this morning by mutual consent. The Bath City FC Board would like to thank Lee for his dedication and hard work over the last eight years and wish him well for the future. A further announcement will made in due course.
Dartford heap more misery on woeful City (16/1/16)
City’s first ever visit to Dartford’s impressive Princes Park was anything but a royal affair this afternoon as the home side ran out easy 4-1 winners. After an even opening 15 minutes City gifted Dartford the opening goal when Dan Bowman’s misplaced pass sent Pugh clear on goal. He confidently stroked the ball past Steve Phillips and on 33 minutes made it 2-0, firing home after a free-kick was nodded into his path. City had offered next to nothing as an attacking threat so when, on the hour mark, Hayes volleyed home the Dart’s third goal it was game over. Eight minutes from time good work from substitute Andy Watkins set up Dave Pratt to shoot into the roof of the net and briefly reduce the deficit. However, Dartford deservedly made it 4-1 five minutes later, an unmarked McNaughton heading past Phillips, condemning City to their heaviest defeat of the season and leaving the side with just two wins from their last 17 Vanarama National League South outings.
Chippenham make bid for striker Nick (13/1/16)
City can confirm they received an enquiry before Christmas from Chippenham Town about the possible transfer of Nick McCootie. We were not looking to sell Nick but, as he is out of contract at the end of the season and they met our valuation, we discussed the position with Nick and agreed to let him speak to them if he wished. We would never stand in the way of a player making a move that benefits him and his family and left Nick to make the decision.
City slip to defeat against slick Stones (9/1/16)
City’s hopes of opening their 2016 fixtures with a win were washed away at a saturated Twerton Park this afternoon, with title-chasing Maidstone United running out 2-0 winners. As has been the case so often this season City got off to a dreadful start, Sweeney heading past Steve Phillips from close range with just three minutes gone. This saw the visitors – who boast the best defensive record in the Vanarama National League South – sit back and allow City the majority of possession. However, City rarely troubled Stones keeper Worgan, as he comfortably dealt with long range efforts from Danny Greenslade and Nick McCootie. He also had to divert a Ashley Kington shot away for a corner but Maidstone reached the interval with few real scares. They almost doubled their lead early in the second half, breaking forward with pace despite Dan Bowman clearly being fouled deep in their own half, before seeing Banya’s cross deflected into the side-netting. City’s best chance of the game fell to McCootie just past the hour mark when a Frankie Artus free-kick dropped to him ten yards out but he could only steer the ball the wrong side of the post. City continued to press but with 13 minutes left a slip by Jack Batten near the halfway line allowed to Driver to race forward and cross for May to force the ball home at the far post and ensure the points would be heading back to Kent.
New dates for Havant and Truro trips (6/1/16)
Following the announcement that City’s trip to Truro City has been rearranged for Tuesday 9 February, a new date for the Havant & Waterlooville away game has also been confirmed. The Romans will face the Hawks on Tuesday 23 February. Both games kick off at 7.45pm.
Kaid Mohamed’s second spell with the club has come to end after he joined Vanarama National League side Eastleigh.
Rovers Greenslade added to City squad (4/1/16)
City have boosted their defensive options with the loan signing of Bristol Rovers left-back Danny Greenslade. The 19-year old has come up through the ranks with the Pirates, where he was part of the U18 side that clinched a league and cup double in 2012-13, and has previously spent time on loan with Truro City and Mangotsfield United.
A new date for City’s postponed meeting with Truro City has been announced. They will travel to Cornwall on Tuesday 9 February 2016 (ko 7.45pm).
Truro match postponed due to waterlogged pitch (2/1/16)
City face will face a midweek trip to Cornwall after today’s game against Truro City was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Given the heavy rain that has been sweeping across the country in the last few days the postponement is no surprise and a new date will be announced in due course.
City will now open their 2016 fixtures at Twerton Park on Saturday (ko 3pm) when Maidstone United are the visitors.