A crowd of 1,417 witnessed Bath City’s Enterprise National League South farewell – but the Romans’ faithful among them must have headed home feeling very positive, despite the club being relegated.
Scott Wilson bangs in his and Bath City’s second goal against Maidstone United at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 25th April | Photo © Simon Howe
Scott Bartlett’s team, who were consigned to the drop when they lost at AFC Totton on Tuesday 14th April, built up a 2-0 lead in 43 minutes against promotion-chasing Maidstone United at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park in their closing fixture.
But the Kent outfit, who dominated possession, fought back to score three times in the final 19 minutes to win 3-2 in glorious weather conditions on Saturday 25th April.
Nevertheless, City showed lots of enthusiasm, fight and quality against the high-fliers to suggest that manager Bartlett will be masterminding enough wins next season to ensure the club’s immediate return to Step 2.
Playing down the slope in the first half, the Romans almost took a second-minute lead. Scott Wilson set up Brad Ash, whose shot was thwarted by guests’ gloveman Lenny Holden.
But City maintained the pressure and Scott Wilson drilled home from 18 yards in the third minute after a throw from Joe Raynes was half-cleared by United.
Scott Wilson celebrates after opening the scoring for Bath City against Maidstone United with an early goal on Saturday 25th April | Photo © Simon Howe
Maidstone composed themselves and home keeper Charlie Binns produced a superb save at the expense of a corner to deny Riley Court.
Bath’s Donovan Wilson fired narrowly wide from 15 yards in the seventh minute but the Stones came agonisingly close to levelling six minutes later. Court pushed the ball across the face of goal but the perfectly placed Jephte Tanga was unable to connect.
However, the hosts extended their advantage two minutes before the break. Matt Bowman fed Alex Fisher who held off a defender and shot. His effort was parried by Holden and the loose ball fell to Scott Wilson, who made no mistake from 18 yards.
Tanga drove wide from 15 yards early in the second period. But Bath nearly struck again on the hour, Ash’s 18-yarder claimed under the bar by Holden.
United’s hopes were raised when a five-yard angled snapshot from substitute Jamie Yila found the net in the 71st minute.
And the guests – who were roared on by a large contingent of travelling fans – equalised in the 85th minute, George Fowler the marksman from close range.
Defender Joe Raynes receives Bath City’s players’ player of the year trophy for 2025-26 after the match against Maidstone United. It was one of three awards presented to the former Larkhall Athletic and Odd Down player | Photo © Simon Howe
The game was deep in injury-time when Maidstone substitute Mark Boruk prodded in the decider following a left-wing corner.
But the Stones’ victory was not enough to propel them into the play-off zone. They missed out on goal-difference to Maidenhead United.
Scott Wilson was named the hosts’ man of the match – a thoroughly deserved acknowledgment of an excellent shift.
Bath: Charlie Binns, Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle, Scott Wilson, Brad Ash (Jaiden Putman, 82), Alex Fisher (Jordan Alves, 65), Matt Bowman, Josh Laqeretabua (Reubin Sheppard, 62), Donovan Wilson (Luke Russe, 38). Unused subs: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Louis Sweeten, Mitch Beardmore.
During a post-match awards ceremony on the pitch, Raynes was presented with the trophies for being supporters’ player of the year, manager’s player of the year and players’ player of the year.
Jordan Alves’ 10 goals earned him the golden boot accolade.
So now the Romans must prepare for life in the Southern League for the first time since 2007.
At least they will not have to endure lengthy trips to the far South East to take on the likes of Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Chelmsford City.
Instead they will contest more derby matches, against teams such as Frome Town and Yate Town.
And, if all goes to plan, Bath will be clocking up a lot more league victories than the 10 they managed this term.
The Romans finished in 21st place – the last of the demotion berths – in National League South and posted 43 points from their 46 games.
They ended up seven points adrift of Dover, who occupied the last of the ‘safe’ positions.
Since Bartlett’s arrival as boss in late March following the sacking of Darren Way, Bath picked up 10 points from eight league outings.
Had they managed that average of 1.25 points per game across the season, they would have finished in mid-table.
During Bartlett’s short time at the helm, reinvigorated Bath won three league matches, whereas Way was fired after a dismal run of just one league victory in 15 fixtures.
