St Albans City (0) 3 Bath City (1) 2 – Saturday 26 October 2024 – Vanarama National League South – Clarence Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Scott Wilson had a 94th minute penalty saved as Bath City fell to defeat at struggling St Albans City.
A nightmare own goal by the otherwise excellent Dan Greenslade contributed to the loss, as the Saints won at home in the league for the first time this season.
Luke Russe’s opener, his first for the club, sent City into half-time the happier.
But a 10 minute collapse ultimately proved their undoing, rendering Sol Wanjau-Smith’s fine goal a mere consolation.
City made three changes from Tuesday’s draw with Weymouth, which included Jack Batten in the starting XI for his 300th appearance, ironically at the same venue as his double century.
St Albans posed more threat in the early stages with Harvey Wiles-Richards at his best to parry Jack James’ curler, before somehow holding on to Ken Charles’ downward header from 10 yards.
Wilson was denied by Michael Johnson in the home goal as a change of shape midway through the half aided an improvement, culminating in a 38th minute opener.
Joe Raynes was afforded too much room on the right from a quick throw, and he sent in a looping ball to the back post for Russe to nod in from almost on the line despite Johnson’s efforts, his first goal since March 2023 for arch-rivals Chippenham Town.
The goal appeared to rock David Noble’s side with the atmosphere falling flat, spectators seemingly accepting another defeat in a disappointing season, with them spending nearly the entirety in the bottom four.
They were lifted with a leveller on 61 minutes. Matt Lench’s delightful ball to the right was collected by James, who stole in behind. The full-back cut inside and centred for Shaun Jeffers, whose shot from 12 yards had enough to beat Batten on the line.
It was only a second league goal in his last 10 appearances for the usual prolific front man, a thorn in the Romans’ side again with his ninth goal against the club.
Within three minutes it was 2-1. This time there was an element of luck as Lench’s cross from distance skimmed the head of Kieran Parselle on the way through, which did enough to help it into the bottom corner past the outstretched Wiles-Richards.
Whether it was an own goal was debatable, unlike the third, which was a horror moment for Greenslade.
The Welshman’s attempted backpass to Wiles-Richards from a non-dangerous area was so heavily misplaced that it rolled past him and into the net, leaving both to look at each other in disbelief.
The two-goal advantage didn’t last long. From Batten’s header forward, Wanjau-Smith rolled a challenge of Deon Woodman and superbly finished low from 25 yards to beat Johnson all ends up, as the forward celebrated his first away goal for the club.
St Albans retreated, preferring to sit back on a lead rather than add further punishment.
It nearly cost them. In the third of six additional minutes, Nick Grimes’ ball to the back post was headed inside by Wanjau-Smith to substitute Jordan Alves, whose attempt to get past David Longe-King was thwarted by a clear shirt pull.
Referee Nathan Oakes pointed to the spot. Wilson was the only player to score a penalty past Johnson in the league last season and the goalkeeper lived up to his reputation with a fine save to his right, his sixth penalty save from his last seven faced in the league, to keep his side ahead.
Despite some further late pressure, the Saints held on for their first win at Clarence Park in the league since April.
Att:1552
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Grimes, Batten, Parselle (c), Wanjau-Smith, Wilson, Fisher (Alves 76), Tillson, Russe (Humphrey-Ewers 76). Subs not used: Sardo, Sweeten, James.
Scorers: City – Russe (38), Wanjau-Smith (74); St Albans – Jeffers (61), OG (Parselle) (64), OG (Greenslade) (71)
City Bookings: Grimes (39), Wilson (59), Tillson (68), Russe (70)
Officials: N Oakes, C Wood, T Holden, A Kadir (4th)