City’s FA Cup hopes disappear after First Impressions fail to last (30/10/02)
City’s worst fears of an opportunity missed came true last night at Huish Park as they were beaten by three goals to one by Yeovil Town in their FA Cup 4th qualifying replay. After failing to turn their domination of the first match into victory they couldn’t repeat this performance although for 45 minutes they continued to fustrate the Conference leaders. However, when within 22 seconds of the restart Demba headed the Glovers ahead the game finally turned toward the home side. A slighly fortunate second for Demba on the hour mark confirmed this advantage. To their credit City did not give up and when Adrian Foster headed home from close range after good work by Jason Eaton with 11 minutes remaining hopes briefly rose of an unlikely comeback. These were dashed though in the 87th minute when McIndoe curled a 25 yard shot beyond Mark Bryant.
The two matches against Tiverton Town that were postponed due to the cup clashes with Yeovil have been rearranged. The Dr Martens Cup game will take place on Tuesday 5 November with the league clash following seven days later. Both matches kick off at 7.45pm at Twerton Park.
City left seeing red but it’s Glovers more grateful for FA Cup Reprise (27/10/02)
City and Yeovil will have to try again to see who faces Cheltenham Town in the 1st round of the FA Cup after they drew 1-1 at a windy Twerton Park this afternoon. With the conditions in their favour in the first half City dominated but only had a stunning 35th minute Dan Cleverley volley to show all their pressure. A second half onslaught from the Conference leaders never really materialised and City went close to extending their lead on three occasions before the half was 10 minutes old. With Gary Thorne outstanding at the back it looked as if City were capable of holding on to the slim advantage but with 20 minutes left Lockwood got to a cross ahead of Mark Bryant and looped a header over Thorne on the line. Despite this blow City still dealt with what little threat the visitors could produce and even when Iain Harvey earned a 2nd yellow with 10 minutes remaining they stood firm. Their only real fright came with on 88 minutes when a hopeful ball forward found Forinton unmarked six yards out but Bryant blocked his shot and City could start planning for the replay at Huish Park on Tuesday night (ko 7.45).
Robins dangled as reward for victory over Bad Girls tomorrow (26/10/02)
Should City overcome Conference leaders Yeovil Town at Twerton Park tomorrow they will face another West Country derby in the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup after they were paired with Cheltenham Town in the draw just made at the FA Headquarters. The meeting with the struggling second division side would also take place at Twerton Park on weekend of 16/17 November.
Following further discussion with Bath & North East Somerset Council the Twerton Park capacity has been increased to 8000 for tomorrows FA Cup match.
Lonely Hearts club looks set to be limited to just two members (25/10/02)
City have just one injury doubt ahead of Sundays FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town. Defender Gary Kemp is struggling to shake off the ankle injury that saw him limp from the victory at Welling United last Saturday. Should he fail to recover he will join cup-tied Stuart James on the sidelines. His likely replacement will be Chris Honor who replaced him in the 3-1 win. With Frankie Bennett certain to replace James the only other likely change from that side may be in midfield where a return to first team action for Paul Milsom is on the cards after he came through 90 minutes of reserve team action last week.
Due to County call-ups City Reserves match with Melksham Town tomorrow has been called off. With Nigel Gillard, Craig Hopkins, Luke Scott and Steve French selected for the Somerset County side playing in Jersey and no first teamers available Reserve boss Lee Burns choose to have the match postponed. No new date has been confirmed yet.
City confirm reason behind Twerton Park capacity Redefinition (23/10/02)
City have confirmed the reason why the Twerton Park capacity is only 5000 for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town despite an official limit of nearly 9000. Bath secretary Quentin Edwards said: “Our capacity is actually 3000 at the moment because there has been no maintenance work on the ground since Rovers left. Some of it needs improving, but we don’t have the money. As a result, the council cut the capacity to 3000 so we wouldn’t have to do the work. However, there is clause which says we can have a temporary increase if needed and that’s why it has been set at 5000 for Sunday.”
Successful reserve run-out leaves Gosling Waiting in the Wings (19/10/02)
Jamie Gosling returned to action yesterday with an hour run out for the reserves in their 3-0 victory over Keynsham Town. Assuming he now suffers no reaction to appearance the 20-year old could be in line for a place in the first team squad for next Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town. The victory, City Reserves third on the spin that lifts them to 4th place in the Western League Premier Division, came courtesy of goals from Josh Jefferies, Simeon Allison and Tony Quoi. With Paul Milsom and Jason Drysdale also returning from injury in the game City could have an injury-free squad to choose from next week which would be a first this season.
City’s second choice keeper Mark Hervin has headed to Western Division side Cirencester Town on loan. He made his debut in the 4-0 defeat at the hands of Westen Super Mare yesterday but will be back as cover for the Yeovil Town game. He should also make a return to first team action against Tiverton Town in the Dr Martens Cup (FA replays permitting) when Mark Bryant receives a one match ban for his sending off yesterday against Welling United.
Welling swept aside to leave City ready for FA Cup Judgement day (18/10/02)
City had the perfect result a week before their FA Cup clash with Yeovil Town as three second half goals helped then to a 3-1 victory over Welling United. Only the dismissal of keeper Mark Bryant for handling outside his box in the final minute put a slight dampener on the day. The first half was best forgotten as both sides struggled to produce any meaningful football but the second half began with the home side on top. The closest they came to scoring during this spell was when Andy Minturn headed the ball against his own post but having weathered this storm City came back strongly. They took the lead just after the hour mark when Jason Eaton’s shot was deflected into the net off a Welling defender. The Wings then lost Aboagye to a red card after a melee near the halfway line and City scored against from the penalty spot after 75 minutes. Eaton converting the kick after a foul on Andy Williams. The third goal arrived moments later when Gary Thorne fired a 20-yard free kick into the corner of the net. Bryant’s red card came when he rushed out to block Nade’s shot in stoppage time. Thorne donned the orange jersey but could only watch as Farley blasted the free kick into the net.
City confirm The Price to pay to witness Yeovil FA Cup clash (17/10/02)
City have announced the admission prices for the FA Cup match with Yeovil Town. A seat in the main stand will cost £10 for adults or £7 for OAP/Students/Under-16 and a terrace spot will set you back £9 if you’re a grown-up, £5 if you’re even more grown-up or a work-shy layabout (student) or £4 if you’re an ickle under-16. Main stand and clubroom season ticket holders can reserve a seat using voucher A in their season ticket booklet. Either contact the club on 423087 or visit the office between 9am and 5pm tomorrow or Sunday 2pm to 5pm. The bars will be shut before and during the match (open as normal afterwards) but a Bath City Brunch will be available in Charlie’s and Randall’s from 11am. Turnstiles will open at 10.30am.
Home James – midfielder returns to Where the Wild Things Are (16/10/02)
Midfielder Stuart James has returned to Twerton Park after agreeing a move back to City from Newport County. The 27-year old joined the Welsh club back in May 2000 after he was released by former boss Paul Bodin following 5 years with City where he made over 200 appearances. Despite interest from Chippenham Town (obviously), Weymouth and Bashley the Bournemouth based player choose City and he goes straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Welling United.
City’s star midfielder Jamie Gosling could be in line for a surprise return to action against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup clash on Sunday week. The 20-year old has been sidelined for the past six weeks with severe ankle ligament damage following the collaspe of Chippenham’s Hardenhuish Park ground but is now back in full training and hopes to feature in City’s reserve match with Keynsham Town on Saturday. Should he come through the game okay a start in the FA Cup 4th qualifying match is a possibility although a place on the bench is more likely.
To allow as many people to watch the highly anticipated meeting with the Conference leaders all the local Sunday league fixtures have been cancelled on the day of the match. This is the first time such a move has taken place since City’s FA Cup 3rd round meeting with Stoke City back in 1994. The Twerton Park capacity for the game has been limited to 5000 by council officals with Yeovil allocated the Bristol End of the ground. The match is NOT all ticket.
It’s Beauty and the Beasts for West Country FA Cup honour (14/10/02)
If City are going to progress any further in this season FA Cup they are going to have to do it the hard way after they were paired with Conference leaders Yeovil Town in the draw for the 4th qualifying round. The clash of the traditional rivals will take place at Twerton Park on Sunday 27 October (ko 12.00) and could see City stars Adrian Foster, Jason Eaton, Mark Hervin and Ellis Wilmot come face to face with their former club.
Eaton rifles treble to see 1st round cup dream Becoming closer (13/10/02)
City comfortably moved to within one game of a place in the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup with another 5-0 demolition of a Dr Martens Western Division side yesterday. This time the hapless opponents were Weston Super Mare as a second half Jason Eaton hat-trick plus first half goals from Gary Kemp and Jim Rollo secured the 3rd qualifying round victory. Kemp had already saved City with a goalline clearance after Weston started the game well before he rose highest to head a 26th minute Frankie Bennett corner home for his first goal in City colours. Ten minutes later Rollo curled a shot into the net to double the lead. The second period continued with city in control and two close range finishes in a minute from Eaton put the result beyond doubt. The final goal came from the penalty spot after a Weston defender handled an Adrian Foster cross. Eaton grabbing the chance to complete his hat-trick. The draw for the 4th qualifying round, where the Conference teams enter the action, will be made at 10.30am on Monday.
City’s Bad Eggs bounce back from defeat to topple league leaders (8/10/02)
Tonight at Twerton Park City bounced back from their humiliating defeat at Tamworth to record a well earned 1-0 victory over league leaders Worcester City. The deciding goal arrived after 63 minutes when Jason Eaton stabbed the ball home via the post and ex-City favourite Jon Holloway. This was exactly what City had deserved after they had always held the upper hand against the previously unbeaten away from home side. Even after the goal City continued to fustrate their high-flying opponents and should have grabbed a second goal in stoppage time when man-of-the-match Andy Williams was tripped in the area. Gary Thorne saw his penalty kick saved but it made no difference as the final whistle arrived moments later. Worcester showed their sporting nature by surrounding the referee at the end – led naturally by Holloway – but nothing could deny City another excellent win over their ‘lucky’ opponents.
City have turned down a £1500 offer for want-away goalkeeper Mark Hervin from local rivals Chippenham Town. Hervin, who lost his place to Mark Bryant at the start of the season, was placed on the transfer list two weeks ago at his own request.
Halloween comes early with Romans forced to suffer Six and the City (6/10/02)
City suffered their biggest league defeat since December 1996 at the hands of Tamworth yesterday as the home side thrashed them by six goals to one. First half strikes from Rickards and McGorry, either side of a missed penalty by Hemmings, gave the Lambs a two goal advantage at the interval. Any faint hopes City may have had of a second half comeback were dashed within ten minutes of the restart as Sale and Copper fired home. Paul Milsom, Frankie Bennett and Andy Minturn all then missed excellent chances to put some respectability on the scoreline before Turner added a fifth for Tamworth. Thorne’s deflected 85th minute finally got City on the scoresheet but Rickards had the last laugh, curling a 35-yard shot over Mark Bryant in the final minute.
Injured Gosling starts legal action as he slowly reaches Normal Again (4/10/02)
As he slowly regains his fitness after six weeks on the sidelines Jamie Gosling has decided to take legal action again Chippenham Town for the injuries he received when a wall at their Hardenhuish Park ground fell on him. On the advice of The Accident Group the 20-year old midfielder has begun moves at gaining compensation from the Wiltshire club who he believes are responsible for events that caused severe ligament damage to both his ankles. He has begun light training but is still up to three weeks away from a return to action.
City boss Alan Pridham has made an audacious bid for Chippenham Town top scorer Martin Paul. The former City striker, who scored 96 goals in 182 games for City before switching to Newport County, has been suggested as part of a swop deal involving out-of-favour keeper Mark Hervin. However, Bluebirds boss Tom Saunders has dismissed the offer and it seems unlikely that Birdy will be heading back to Twerton Park.
City have put in a seven day approach for Odd Down keeper Tristan Westlake after Ray Johnston indicated he is set to make a switch to Western League side Bishop Sutton. Johnston has found himself third in the pecking order after missing the start of the season through injury despite making five appearances last season.