Three second-half goals helped Bath City Football Club to a fabulous 4-0 home victory over Bristol City Under-21s in their final friendly before the start of the Enterprise National League South campaign this weekend.
Alex Fisher lashes home from the penalty spot to put Bath 4-0 up against Bristol City | Photo © Simon Howe
The Romans dominated much of the game against a Bristol side that posed little threat up front.
The result gave Darren Way’s men a massive morale boost for the league opener at Worthing on Saturday 9th August (3pm).
The only disappointment to come out of the Saturday 2nd August clash with the Robins was the size of the attendance at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park. Only 298 spectators came along, but the gate was no doubt affected by the lunchtime kick-off.
Bath played down the slope in the first half and could have opened the scoring after only four minutes, Ewan Clark setting up Danny Greenslade whose weak drive was held by the keeper.
However, the hosts did move in front five minutes later. Luke Russe crossed and Scott Wilson shot home from seven yards.
The Romans’ Scott Wilson nets his second goal against Bristol City Under-21s | Photo © Simon Howe
Brad Ash fired into the side netting in the 13th minute, after the guests’ keeper dropped the ball.
The gloveman redeemed himself four minutes later, claiming near the line a header from Bath captain Kieran Parselle, who had been set up by Greenslade.
Soon, the ball ran to Ash but his low drive was parried and gathered by the keeper.
But the Romans went off the boil for a spell after the first-half drinks break and it was not until the 50th minute that they extended their lead. The Bristol goalie failed to take Will Jenkins-Davies’ flicked header from the right and Wilson knocked the ball home from close range to complete his brace.
It was 3-0 in the 68th minute. Greenslade sent over a corner from the right, and Jack Batten headed in.
Substitute Alex Fisher had been on the pitch only three minutes when he almost made it 4-0. With 77 minutes gone, his 10-yard header was held by the keeper.
Scott Wilson, number nine, scores Bath’s first goal against Bristol City Under-21s | Photo © Simon Howe
The Robins’ first real effort on goal came in the 82nd minute. With Bath custodian Harvey Wiles-Richards out of his box after clearing an attack, the Bristol centre-forward tried his luck but shot wide.
But seconds later, Way’s team got the fourth goal their efforts deserved. Substitute Mitch Beardmore rounded the Robins’ keeper in the box. But the gloveman brought him down for a penalty, taken by Fisher. The keeper went the correct way but was beaten by Fisher’s spot-kick.
With the final whistle looming, Jenkins-Davies sent a 20-yard free-kick wide.
So the Romans’ friendly programme brought them two wins and four defeats. But the real business begins in West Sussex against a Worthing side who reached last season’s play-offs.
Bath: Harvey Wiles Richards, Danny Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Batten, Kieran Parselle, Will Jenkins-Davies, Scott Wilson (Alex Fisher, 74), Ewan Clark, Brad Ash (Mitch Beardmore, 79), Jordan Tillson (Louis Sweeten, 79), Luke Russe. Unused sub: Massimo Sardo.
Tickets for the match at Worthing are available at https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/SelectType?fixtureId=12594
