Weston Super Mare (0) 0 Bath City (0) 0 – Saturday 8 March 2025 – Vanarama National League South – The Optima Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
An entertaining Somerset Derby ended goalless as Bath City collected another vital point in their increasingly likely bid to avoid relegation.
Kieran Parselle’s clearance off the line in the first half helped the Romans claim an impressive 14th clean sheet this term.
Scott Wilson had two opportunities in the second half but couldn’t find a way past former City stopper Max Harris.
A creditable point was City’s fifth goalless draw this season, the first 0-0 between the two in Weston since December 1910.
That record wouldn’t have continued had Reuben Reid been more clinical inside six minutes.
Sam Pearson linked up with Ollie Chamberlain down the left, escaped Joe Raynes and Ollie Tomlinson before pulling it back to Reid, but from eight yards out he shinned wide.
Brad Ash was equally culpable of spurning a decent opportunity at the other end. Wilson’s teasing ball from the right was met by the striker on the stretch, but he contrived to put the ball over the bar and over the giant GSH Stand from six yards.
Raynes’ speculative effort from distance was taken by Harris in City’s first shot on target, before the keeper was forced to react sharply when Sam Avery’s clearance cannoned back off Josh Seberry and behind Harris, who retraced his steps to gather before the ball crossed the line.
Weston were desperately close to snatching the lead in first half added time. James Dodd, debutant Will Dawes and Dylan Kadji linked up to set Pearson free, wide of the penalty area. He deliberately rolled the ball towards the bottom corner but Parselle was alert to the danger, superbly clearing from the line.
Pearson had netted in first half added time in the reverse fixture at Twerton Park, a goal which rocked the Romans and they eventually wilted to lose 2-0.
In the second half at the Optima, they looked the more likely to upset the play-off chasers.
Mitch Beardmore went down in the box from a Seberry shove, but referee Martyn Mitchell deemed the contact not enough for a penalty.
Wilson came close to opening the scoring against his former club on 55 minutes.
Raynes’ long throw was flicked on by Alex Fisher to Wilson, who sneaked in front of Dawes and poked the ball towards the bottom corner, but Harris flung himself to his left to parry behind.
Darren Way chanced his arm by altering City from a back four to a three, introducing Jack Batten for Fisher, allowing Raynes and Dan Greenslade to push forward more as wing-backs.
A route one ball nearly led to Weston’s undoing with 10 minutes remaining.
Beardmore’s punt forward from well inside his own half saw willing runner Wilson give chase, brushing Chamberlain aside to create room in the penalty area.
The forward cut inside but his shot bobbled wide of Harris’ right post, leaving the hosts relieved.
While Scott Bartlett’s men forced a few late set-pieces, City stood firm and earned another shut out to keep them nine points clear of the drop with nine matches remaining.
Att: 1547
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Parselle (c), Wilson, Fisher (Batten 71), Tillson, Russe, Tomlinson, Beardmore (Alves 84), Ash. Subs not used. Sweeten, Nwabueze, Horsell.
Scorers: City – none; Weston – none
City Bookings: Tillson (47), Russe (73), Raynes (90+1)
Officials: M Mitchell, D Ellis, M Pattison, B Williamson (4th)
