Charlie Binns was Bath City’s penalty-shootout hero for the second time in two Isuzu FA Trophy matches, this time starring as the Romans overcame Dorking Wanderers in the third round on Saturday 13th December.
Bath City keeper Charlie Binns saves Charlie Carter’s penalty at Meadowbank Stadium on Saturday 13th December | Photo © Simon Howe
Binns saved a spot-kick when City got the better of Bracknell Town on penalties in the second round on Saturday 15th November.
And at Meadowbank Stadium he saved two – effectively three, as one was retaken and stopped both times – to earn Darren Way’s side a tremendous 4-2 victory in the shootout after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
It was certainly a great way for Binns to bounce back after being sent off at Maidstone United in Enterprise National League South on Saturday 6th December, a dismissal that was rescinded after Bath appealed to The Football Association.
Success at Meadowbank gave City revenge for their league defeat by Dorking at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park in August.
Charlie Binns does it again, this time denying James McShane from the spot as Bath City overcome Dorking Wanderers | Photo © Simon Howe
And Bath’s prize for their victory in Surrey is a home tie against National League heavyweights Southend United in the fourth round – the last 32 – on Saturday 10th January. The Essex side dropped out of the Football League in 2021, having had two spells in the second tier.
City boss Way said after the win over Dorking: “I thought it was a good game from our point of view.
“From start to finish we created a number of chances, good chances, so to actually come away to Dorking and perform like we did and create the chances that we have, the facts are we won the game and we’re through to the next round.
“The biggest thing that I mentioned to the players [at half-time] is our front three have got to believe a little bit more because we got into some really good areas where we could attack them.
“I knew Charlie was very, very good at [facing] penalties, he did really well. And all the penalty takers were as cool as ice and made good clean contact and made it look easy.
Jordan Alves drills in Bath City’s equaliser early in the second half of the Isuzu FA Trophy tie at Dorking Wanderers | Photo © Simon Howe
“It’s not an easy decision whether you’ve got to play Harvey [Wiles-Richards] or Charlie [in goal] but in terms of FA Trophy-wise, Charlie’s done remarkably well.
“He played a massive part in the game before, which wasn’t easy, in the previous round but he just makes you feel pretty calm, and that’s a nice feeling when the goalkeeper allows you to feel calm, the team-mates to feel calm under pressure.
“I’m really pleased for him because this time last Saturday he was being marched to the stands for no fault of his own.”
Of Jordan Alves’ long-range equaliser that forced the shootout, Way said: “I think he believes in himself. Last season he was that maverick, created a lot of moments of individual brilliance. So it was nice for him to do that today. When the game’s like it is at these sort of places, it takes an individual to show a bit of brilliance and it was certainly that.”
Way showered praise on the referee, describing the official as “fantastic”. And he praised the Romans’ fans.
“That today was about ‘we’ in terms of all of us at this football club who work really hard,” said Way.
“The supporters, the directors, the staff, the players, every single one of them deserved that result today, and it’s a nice feeling for those supporters who pay their hard-earned money week in, week out – it’s a huge commitment to support Bath City.”
The Wanderers took an 18th minute lead when debutant Pat Casey – who joined Dorking from Charlton Athletic earlier in the week – controlled the ball with his chest and slotted it past Binns.
Brad Ash slammed a shot against the Dorking bar in the 48th minute. But seconds later, Alves rifled in a free-kick from 25 yards – Ash having been fouled – to level the tie.
City had the better of the second period but could not find another way through, so the game went to penalties.
Casey struck to put Dorking 1-0 up but Alves equalised. George Francomb restored the hosts’ advantage, only for Joe Raynes to peg them back to 2-2.
Then Binns saved from Charlie Carter and Danny Greenslade buried Bath’s third kick.
Next, Binns denied James McShane – but the referee ordered that the penalty be retaken as the young gloveman had moved from his line too soon.
Again Binns thwarted McShane, meaning if Owen Windsor was successful with City’s next kick, Way’s team would win. Windsor made no mistake.
Bath: Charlie Binns, Joe Raynes, Danny Greenslade, Jack Batten, Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves, Brad Ash, Jordan Tillson, Mitch Beardmore (Jaiden Putman, 78), Luke Russe, Owen Windsor. Unused subs: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Louis Sweeten, Owen Pritchard, Zion Thompson.
Binns was shown the red card in the 54th minute at Maidstone, the game ending 2-0 to the Kent side.
But City appealed to The FA – and on Thursday 11th December, a regulatory commission meeting ruled that the sending-off was a case of wrongful dismissal, meaning Binns will not have to serve a one-match ban.
On Monday 15th December, the Romans announced that Binns had signed a contract with the club.
Bath will entertain Salisbury in the league on Saturday 20th December (3pm). Discounted tickets are available here.
