Next Match – Worthing (H)
Following Tuesday’s stunning success over Taunton Town, City’s cup conquerors Worthing visit Twerton Park this Saturday 28 October.
The Rebels were early leaders in this season’s National League South, topping the table from matchday two to matchday six, before being overtaken by Bath City. They’ve struggled for form recently in the league, picking up two points from their last five games and leaking four goals in their last three away league matches. The latest was on Tuesday at Hampton & Richmond in a 4-1 loss where all the goals fell in the second half. Having reached the play-off semi-finals last season despite conceding 72 goals, manager Adam Hinshelwood won’t be fretting about their recent capitulations. They have proven stronger from winning positions this term, in contrast to last year when they dropped a mammoth 38 points from ahead. This time it’s nine wins from nine scoring first, the only points dropped from ahead were from 2-1 up against Truro amid trying circumstances – they ended the game with nine men following second half dismissals for Luca Woodhouse and Joe Felix and only a 96th minute goal denied them their first league victory since 5 September at home to Welling.
Hinshelwood has recently earned himself a contract extension for his efforts in recent seasons. He returned to take charge in September 2017 (a month before Jerry Gill was appointed City’s manager) after the West Sussex outfit had finished mid-table in the Isthmian League in 2016/17. Since then, he has led them to promotion to this level in 2022 and, as if City fans need reminding, a spot in the FA Cup 1st Round this month for the first time in 24 years. Danny Cashman’s swift second half double saw the hosts end the Romans’ run. It also meant the three meetings between the clubs are evenly split – a win each plus a 2-2 draw at Twerton Park last December. Worthing travel to National League North outfit Alfreton Town next Saturday in the cup, they’ve been aided by Monday’s league contest at Chelmsford being postponed, giving them a week’s rest. Injuries and suspensions have hampered the Rebels of late, they’ve brought in Glen Rea as extra cover. The centre-back made over 200 appearances for Luton Town and was playing recently in the Championship just three years ago.
City will be full of confidence this Saturday. They’ve scored at least two goals in every home game thus far, their best goalscoring run to start a season at Twerton Park since 1958. It’s also their best points return (13 from 18 available) at the start of a home Conference/National League South season since 2007, their first campaign at this level. Scott Wilson is up to 27 goals for the calendar year and has 11 in all competitions this season, he’s also netted in the last four league matches. Wilson barely needed a minute to score from the bench at Worthing in March, the last league meeting between the two. Cody Cooke and Tom Smith were also on target in an entertaining success. Other notable accolades of late are provided by Chris Lines, who made his 650th career outing in Tuesday’s win. It was also Lines’ 50th appearance for the Stripes.
Matches like these are crucial for City’s hopes, and it’s your amazing home support that can carry the boys to victory. We hope to see you this Saturday for what will be another closely fought game between two clubs that will both be hoping to maintain their push for the play-offs and a potential promotion come the end of the season.
Who – Bath City v Worthing
When – Saturday 28 October, 3pm
Where – Twerton Park
