Next Match – Aldershot (A) – FA Cup
Bath City will be looking to cause an upset this Saturday as they travel to a National League side in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.
Aldershot Town stand in the way of a first 1st Round appearance since 2011. This is City’s eighth time in the 4th Qualifying Round since, but only the second time they’ve faced higher league opposition in that stage. The previous was a 1-0 loss at home to Salisbury City in 2013.
The Shots’ recent 4th Qualifying Round record has given them little to shout about. Since being relegated back out of the EFL in 2013, they’ve lost in this round to four lower league sides – Shortwood United, Eastbourne Borough, Bowers & Pitsea and Chelmsford City. They put it right last year by easing past Lewes (their first FA Cup win since 2018) and set up a 1st Round trip to Swindon Town. In one of the most remarkable FA Cup ties in history, Aldershot went 7-0 up against their League Two opponents, eventually winning 7-4. It was the first time a non-league side had scored seven past a Football League opponent, and their run continued when they beat Stockport County in a round two replay. Eventually Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion ended the journey in January.
Their league form also improved last term, finishing 8th, their highest placing since 2018. Tommy Widdrington’s side finished two points outside the play-off places after stumbling over the finish line, and they haven’t really kicked into gear this term. It’s four wins in 21 league games since the middle of March and they head into Saturday’s tie without a win in seven. On Saturday they suffered their biggest defeat this campaign, losing 5-2 at struggling AFC Fylde. There was scant consolation in top scorer James Henry ending his six-game goalless drought. The former Wolves attacker represented Millwall in the 2013 FA Cup semi-finals, losing at Wembley to eventual winners Wigan Athletic.
A more familiar name for Bath City fans in the Aldershot line-up is Ryan Jones. The winger made 11 appearances on loan at Twerton Park in 2022. He signed for the Shots in the summer following his release from Bristol Rovers. He’s accompanied by a current Gas defender in Dan Ellison, who scored against City last term for Chippenham Town before earning a move to the League One side. Ellison is on loan for Widdrington’s men until the end of this month.
City’s Scott Wilson spent a brief period on loan at Aldershot in early 2022, playing just half an hour across two games. He’s one of many long-serving players keen to reach round one for the first time for the Stripes. If he figures, Jack Batten will make his 299th appearance, nearly nine years since arriving. On the other end of the scale, Joe James could make his FA Cup debut having impressed at Chesham United last week. Jerry Gill’s side head to Hampshire on the back of two straight away wins and they’ve won their last two games against National League opponents, ousting Boreham Wood and Bromley out of the FA Trophy in successive years.
For the third time running, the Romans have drawn a phoenix side in the FA Cup, with the current Aldershot Town forming in 1992 following the collapse of the Football League club. This is the first meeting between the two. City and Aldershot Reserves were regular opponents in the 1930’s, this will be our first trip to the Rec (EBB Stadium) since a 2-0 defeat in January 1939.
If the match ends in a draw, a replay will take place at Twerton Park on Tuesday 15 October, KO 7.45pm. The winners at this stage will go into a draw with 48 EFL sides which includes the likes of Birmingham City, who Gill represented 76 times between 1997 and 2002.
We will be wearing black and white for this game.
Tickets are available for Saturday’s match here.
Away travel:
There will be a supporters’ coach running to this game which is already full. You can enquire for placing yourself on the reserve list either online, departure times and information included, or by contacting Cheryl Morgan.
If you’re unable to attend, you can obtain updates via:
X – @BathCity_FC
Bath City Radio – Bath City Radio or bathcityradio.mixlr.com. Also on the Mixlr app, search for Bath City Radio. Mark Stillman, Alex Lane-Kieltyka and Andrew Kerslake on commentary.
BBC Radio Somerset will also provide pre-match, half-time and post-match reaction.
Come along and join the vast travelling support to see if City can reach round one!
