Darren Way says that his relegation-threatened Bath City side are capable of winning all of their remaining games this season – and he has received a big boost from the board of directors, who have secured further funding for players.
Bath City will entertain Hornchurch here at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park tomorrow, Saturday 14th March, in Enterprise National League South | Photo © Richard Briggs
The Romans lost their crucial Enterprise National League South game with fellow strugglers Farnborough on Tuesday 10th March. And they will face high-flying Hornchurch at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 14th March (3pm).
Reflecting on the defeat by Boro and looking ahead to the game against the Urchins, Way said: “If you look at the table, every game is winnable.
“Where we are in the position we’re in, we need to make sure we pick up points again on Saturday. I think this is going to go to the wire.
“There wasn’t much in tonight’s game. I can’t fault the lack of effort and energy from the players, the amount of chances we created.
“Joe Duncan, from Bristol City, their goalkeeper, pulled off three match-winning saves.
“The last five minutes, Jordan Tilson gets sent off, so it’s like change the shape, and then they just hit a diag [diagonal pass] and pick up the second ball and it ends up in the back of the net.
“I feel for the majority of the group tonight, because that was a real big effort.
“The back-line – KP [Kieran Parselle], Joe Raynes, Jack Batten, Jaiden Putman – I thought they put in a real big shift and tried to do everything that they could to make sure we kept a clean sheet. We need everyone with that mindset and mentality.
“I still believe that we’ll be okay, and the players need to make sure they believe in that.
“We’re in a position where we can climb out of it. It’s not like the teams below us are picking up results.
“So we have to make sure that we regroup, we’ve got to prepare well for Saturday. But I was proud of the team today.
“The supporters got behind us. I’m really thankful for their support this season. The players are really appreciative of that because, they [the fans] really did make noise.
“From a coaching point of view, a tactical point of view, we’re doing enough to get in the final third and create chances.
“We all know, same as last season, to put the ball in the back of the net is the hardest thing and someone’s got to take responsibility to do that.
“But my biggest issue is making sure that we concentrate for 90 minutes-plus and we don’t give the opposition anything to get hold of, and that’s been my real annoyance.
“One thing I’m going to make sure I do for this football club is keep fighting and I want to thank the supporters for sticking with us because they’ve been absolutely top class.
“I understand the finger is pointed at me, the manager. I take a huge amount of responsibility.
“When I came in last year, the club was almost in a similar position and we did really well to fight our way out of it.
“We have to make sure we keep believing in ourselves. I believe in the group of players.”
A statement from the Romans on Thursday 12th March said: “The board of directors at Bath City Football Club has been meeting regularly over recent weeks to discuss the club’s current position and the challenges we face during the final stages of the season.
“Like everyone connected with the club, we’re disappointed with where we currently find ourselves in the league table.
“Since recognising the seriousness of the situation, the board has explored every possible option to give Bath City the best chance of remaining in the National League.
“As part of this process and in discussions with the football management team, in response to the injuries and availability issues within the current squad, the board has secured additional funds that will allow the management team to strengthen the squad where needed.
“This provides the resources required to recruit and give the team the best possible chance of getting through this difficult period.
“Throughout all of this, one thing remains absolutely clear. Bath City has always been a club built on unity, resilience and the strength of its community. That has never been more important than it is now.
“We remain one club, with one clear goal, and that is to do everything possible to ensure Bath City retains its place in the National League South.
“The players, staff and board will continue to work tirelessly over the coming weeks, and we know how important the support of the Bath City fans will be as we approach the remaining fixtures. Together, we fight.”
