Next Match – Hornchurch (A)
Bath City face a fourth successive Saturday on the road with the longest journey of the quartet so far.
Essex side Hornchurch won promotion back to National League South in April following an 11-year absence. Steve Morison built the foundations before departing for Sutton United in January, allowing Daryl McMahon to step in and oversee a romping success to the Isthmian League title. The Urchins won the division with 100 points, 21 clear of the chasing pack.
They marked their return to Step 2 with a fine 3-1 win at Hampton & Richmond Borough but have been inconsistent since, not helped by a catalogue of injuries. McMahon, who retired in 2015, re-registered as a player to bolster a threadbare subs bench for an FA Cup win over Hashtag United, before watching on from the touchline as they crashed out in a 3rd Qualifying Round replay at home to Leiston.
Last Saturday they snatched a 2-2 draw at Salisbury with Scott Kashket catching out James Hillson in the Whites goal with a bizarre 96th minute equaliser. It extended their winless run to six in all competitions but with six first teamers missing, it was a creditable point and keeps them three clear of relegation.
Top scorer Liam Nash was one of those unavailable. The Urchins have failed to score in three games at The Stadium, only Weymouth have fewer, but they also have the joint second most clean sheets at home.
Like Hornchurch, City have had plenty of injury worries to contend with this season. Ewan Clark went in for surgery on his knee in the week and won’t feature, Scott Wilson is a doubt after coming off at Aldershot Town with a hamstring injury. Those rested for Tuesday’s win on penalties over Larkhall Athletic are likely to return. Assistant manager Jim Barron will celebrate his 81st birthday on Saturday which corresponds with Jerry Gill’s 330th in charge, equalling the total of Bobby Jones and making him joint longest serving post-war manager in terms of matches.
For a fourth successive Saturday he faces a side he’s yet to manage against, as both meetings between these clubs occurred in the 2012/13 season under Lee Howells. The Romans won 3-1 at Twerton Park in October thanks to goals from Chris Allen, Joe Burnell and Sean Canham. Hornchurch gained revenge five months later in a 2-1 victory. Charlie Griffin benefitted from a Joe Woolley mistake in the home goal to level – the goalkeeper was found guilty of match fixing later that year during a spell in Australia and received a worldwide ban.
Tickets available for Saturday’s match here.
Away travel:
There will be a supporters’ coach running to this game. You can book online, departure times and information included, or by contacting cheryl.morgan@bathcityfootballclub.co.uk.
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 and Matt Francis on commentary.
Come along and see if Bath City can make it back-to-back league wins!
