Bath City stretched their unbeaten run to three matches as they secured an excellent point at Kent side Ebbsfleet United on August Bank Holiday Monday.
Scott Wilson, here challenging for possession during pre-season, notched Bath City’s goal at Ebbsfleet United on August Bank Holiday Monday | Photo © Simon Howe
The Romans followed up wins over Salisbury and Eastbourne Borough to draw 1-1 at The Kufflink Stadium in Northfleet on 25th August.
Although the stalemate meant that City slipped from eighth to 10th place in Enterprise National League South, they are just a point adrift of the play-off zone.
Like Bath, Ebbsfleet went into the match with only one league defeat to their name this season.
But the relegated South Easterners needed a last-gasp equaliser to preserve their unbeaten home record.
The Romans took an 11th-minute lead in front of a crowd of 1,395 that included 135 travelling fans who braved the bank-holiday traffic, Scott Wilson on target after a free-kick by Will Jenkins Davies.
United felt aggrieved by the goal, saying their players had waited after hearing the referee blow his whistle following the free-kick. However, the referee signalled for play to continue and Wilson ran on and shot past keeper Mark Cousins to record his first goal of the league campaign.
Brad Ash twice went close to extending the lead before the break – and in the second half, Dan Greenslade fired over the bar after Cousins parried a shot from Alex Fisher.
However, full-timers Ebbsfleet had a lot of possession and they equalised in the 89th minute. Tom Dallison headed the ball down after a cross from Ben Chapman – and substitute Dominic Samuel pounced to fire past City custodian Harvey-Wiles Richards.
Bath manager Darren Way said: “Super proud of the players, team effort.
“We knew the players were going to have to play under pressure and fatigue just because of the quick turnaround.
“We were excellent in the first half and caused them a number of problems. We were unlucky not to go 2-0 or 3-0 up.
“We knew their staff were going to get into them at half-time. They came out in the second half and started flipping the ball down the channels and we had to deal with free-kicks, corners.
“But overall that’s a fantastic performance away from home against another full-time team.
“Really pleased with the concentration levels. We limited them to only a few chances.
“What a great point away from home for this part-time team.
“There’s a real belief in the group. Last year we probably wouldn’t have seen that game out.”
Bath: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle, Jenkins Davies, Wilson (Fisher, 61), Ash, Tillson, Russe. Unused subs: Clark, Horsell, Sweeten, Beardmore, Matthews.
The Romans will play at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @Twerton Park twice in the league over the next week.
Dorking Wanderers will provide the opposition on Saturday 30th August (3pm). Discounted tickets are available here.
And Maidenhead United will be the visitors on Tuesday 2nd September (7.45pm). Discounted tickets are available here.
Meanwhile, Bath City Women will complete their programme of pre-season friendlies on Sunday 31st August when they host Frampton Rangers from the higher-grade Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s League Premier Division.
The match against Yate-based Rangers will be played at the University of Bath (2pm).
City have endured a tough pre-season so far, losing 13-0 to Bristol Rovers and 8-0 to AEK Boco.
