Bath City put a brave fight at Enterprise National League South leaders Hornchurch but were undone by a contentious injury-time penalty as they were pipped 3-2 on Saturday 18th October.
Bath City’s Jordan Tillson, black and white, takes on a Hornchurch man during the Enterprise National League South game on Saturday 18th October | Photo © Simon Howe
The result left the Romans in 19th spot in the table, one point above the drop zone and with a crucial match against third-placed AFC Totton to come at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Tuesday 21st October (7.45pm).
In front of a crowd of 974, the Urchins started brightly and Bath keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards made a brilliant save in the third minute to deny Angelo Balanta.
However, Bath – with Luke Russe making his 100th appearance for the club and striker Manny Yeboah on his debut – took a 22nd-minute lead against the run of play in East London. Brad Ash netted from 10 yards after Kieran Parselle dummied a corner by Will Jenkins Davies.
Hornchurch equalised eight minutes later, Henry Hearn getting onto a long ball and drilling past Wiles-Richards.
And the hosts went ahead in the 48th minute, Hearn providing the cross and Charlie Ruff heading in.
Wiles-Richards produced a great save in the 62nd minute, this time thwarting Hearn.
But the guests still created chances, and Joe Raynes forced a tremendous stop from Urchins’ custodian Arthur Nasta in the 74th minute.
And with two minutes to go, the Romans were awarded a penalty after Jordan Tillson was pushed in the box. Jenkins Davies made no mistake from the spot and City looked to have earned a precious – and impressive – point.
However, Hornchurch struck the decider in the fourth minute of added time. Bath were pulled up for handball in the box and Darren McQueen buried the resulting penalty. The visitors felt that the ball had struck Parselle just below his shoulder and he had not handled.
City manager Darren Way said: “Extremely disappointed in the way that it ended. You’re thinking come away from home, keep our unbeaten record going, there’s five minutes to play, Will was very calm and assured on the penalty to make it 2-2. The subs came on and made a good impact and you’re thinking it’s a good result.
“But we’re not getting a decision like you feel ‘Wow, we’ve got away with one there’ or they’ve gone in our favour. I’ve got to be careful what I say because I am off the back of the referee ultimately deciding the game over the last three or four games and that saddens me really because everyone puts a lot of effort in the football club.
“I know goals change games but we had to deal with a little bit of pressure but they’re top of the league. If you’re a team that’s got a few players that constantly make mistakes, it gives the opposition a chance or an opportunity to score, and that’s what we’ve been on the wrong end of, considering the rest of the performance was OK.
‘[Bath’s first goal was] well-worked on the training ground, really pleasing to score a goal that’s been worked on, good finish from Brad. I had to bring him off, he felt his hamstring, but the subs that came on did really well.
“Disappointed with the [Hornchurch] goals, one individual, we’re not defending well enough in a one-versus-one area and allowed them to get the shot in.
“The second goal was almost identical but it was a cross rather than a shot. We need to tidy up that area.
“We’ve got to go again against AFC Totton. It feels like we’re so close but we’re not getting what we deserve.”
Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Batten, Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves, Will Jenkins Davies, Scott Wilson (Manny Yeboah, 76), Brad Ash (Jake Tabor, 51), Jordan Tillson, Luke Russe (Mitch Beardmore, 76). Unused subs: Martin Horsell, Louis Sweeten.
Discounted tickets for the clash with Totton are available here.
Bath City Women Development drew 3-3 at Yeovil-based Pen Mill Ladies in Somerset County Women’s League Division One on Sunday 19th October.
The Romans will host Cheddar Ladies at Peasedown St John Recreation Ground in another league game on Sunday 26th October (2pm).
The same day, mid-table Bath City Women 1st XI will return to Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s League Division One North action when they take on table-topping Mangotsfield United Women at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park (2pm).
