Bath City romped to a 4-0 victory when they received Jewson Western League Premier Division side Bridgwater United in the first round of the Francis Hillier Premier Cup – formerly the Somerset Premier Cup – on Tuesday 14th October.
Louis Sweeten, centre, is congratulated after scoring for Bath City against Bridgwater United on Tuesday 14th October | Photo © Simon Howe
The three-division gap in status proved far too much for the Sedgemoor team, although they held out until just before half-time, when Louis Sweeten broke the deadlock
All the first-half opportunities fell to the Romans, with Scott Wilson having two efforts held by United keeper Louis Smith, Sweeten being denied midway through the period and Jordan Tillson being thwarted after 32 minutes.
It looked as though the Robins might make it to the interval without conceding. But in the 45th minute, Sweeten struck. He gained possession on the edge of the Bridgwater box and sent in a shot, the ball entering the net via the bar.
City extended their lead right at the start of the second half. Trickery by Jordan Alves on the left resulted in him crossing to Mitch Beardmore who set up Brad Ash to tap the ball into the empty net.
Bath City’s Jordan Alves looks to shake off two Bridgwater United men at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park | © Simon Howe
And it was 3-0 in the 52nd minute, Tillson and Ash combining to provide Sweeten with the chance to complete his brace.
Alves scored on the hour when he cut in from the left and shot low past Smith.
Bath continued to look for goals – and Sweeten came close to completing a hat-trick when his 66th-minute long-ranger flew narrowly off target.
Bath: Binns, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle, Alves, Wilson, Sweeten (Stirling, 86), Ash, Tillson (Mabika, 71), Beardmore (Pritchard, 86), Russe. Unused sub: Horsell.
The Romans will return to Enterprise National League South action on Saturday 18th October – and it could not get much harder.
Scott Wilson shoots for Bath City against Bridgwater United in the Francis Hillier Premier Cup | Photo © Simon Howe
City will make the trip to East London to take on Hornchurch, who top the table with an unbeaten record. Kick-off will be at 3pm.
Tickets are available at https://hornchurchfc.ktckts.com/event/hch2526nls06/hornchurch-vs-bath-city
Bath will be at home in the league for the first time in more than a month when they entertain AFC Totton on Tuesday 21st October (7.45pm).
Discounted tickets are available here.
The Romans have been boosted by striker Jake Tabor’s loan deal from Swindon Town being extended by a month. Tabor arrived at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park in September on what was originally a month-long arrangement.
Bath City Women Development raced to a 5-0 home win over Middlezoy Rovers Ladies at Peasedown St John in Somerset County Women’s League Division One on Sunday 12th October.
Star of the show was Hari Sabic, who netted four times. Olivia Davis completed the Romans’ tally.
City will visit Yeovil side Pen Mill Ladies in the league on Sunday 19th October (2pm).
