Bath City chalked up arguably their best result of the season when they defeated high-flying AFC Totton in Enterprise National League South on Tuesday 21st October.
Kieran Parselle heads in Bath City’s second goal against AFC Totton on Tuesday 21st October | Photo © Simon Howe
The Romans would have slipped into the relegation zone had they lost – but they recorded a 2-0 victory at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park against a side who started the evening in third spot in the table.
City’s victory – their first in the league since they beat Eastbourne Borough 2-0 in Twerton on Saturday 23rd August – lifted them up to 17th place.
Watched by a crowd of 1,035 on the club’s Student Night, Bath got the better of the Hampshire outfit thanks to a goal apiece from Brad Ash and Kieran Parselle.
Romans’ boss Darren Way said: “It’s probably been the best home performance I’ve seen since I’ve been in the post.
“The support tonight, over 1,000 supporters, was excellent, so thank you for coming and getting behind the players. It was a performance that the supporters deserved.
“We knew the game wasn’t going to be easy but it was a result we deserved for our performance.
“I think it all came together and the players realised how important it was to put in a performance for our supporters. Tactically we were very astute.
“Brad and Jake [Tabor] ran the frontline really well and were a constant threat – you wouldn’t want to mark them.”
Brad Ash celebrates after opening the scoring for Bath City against AFC Totton in Enterprise National League South | Photo © Simon Howe
It took only six minutes for the Romans to break the deadlock. Joe Raynes crossed and Ash headed past Totton keeper Ryan Gosney. The goal was Ash’s fourth in four outings.
Way said: “It was a good finish, a well-worked goal. Jordan [Alves] did well, obviously an excellent cross from Rainsey and obviously a brilliant finish, so a good start.”
Ash, Luke Russe and Parselle all shot over before City went very close to extending their advantage in the 41st minute. Tabor chipped the ball to Ash but the former Barnsley player saw his shot saved superbly by Gosney.
Bath kept up the momentum after the break. And seven minutes in, Ash slammed the ball against the outside of the near post.
A group of Bath City fans after watching the 2-0 win over AFC Totton | Photo © Simon Howe
But the second goal came in the 58th minute. Will Jenkins Davies sent over a corner and Gosney attempted to punch clear. But the ball was blocked and rebounded to Parselle, who headed in.
The Stags’ only serious chance of the match came in the 64th minute. Substitute Ralph Vigress broke away and fired in a shot but home gloveman Harvey Wiles-Richards saved well at the expense of a corner.
Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Batten, Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves, Will Jenkins Davies, Jake Tabor (Louis Sweeten, 81), Brad Ash (Manny Yeboah, 87), Jordan Tillson, Luke Russe (Mitch Beardmore, 75). Unused subs: Martin Horsell, Tresor Mabika.
City will be looking to build on the win over Totton when they visit promotion-chasing Hemel Hempstead Town in the league on Saturday 25th October (3pm).
Tickets for the league match at The Focus Community Arena are available here.
