Relegated Bath City caused one of the biggest shocks of the Enterprise National League South season when they as good as ended Dorking Wanderers’ title hopes on Saturday 18th April.
Bath City’s Donovan Wilson goes for goal during the 3-1 success at Dorking Wanderers on Saturday 18th April | Photo © Simon Howe
The Romans, whose demotion was confirmed by defeat at AFC Totton on Tuesday 14th April, travelled to Meadowbank Stadium to face a Dorking side lying second in the table, three points behind leaders Worthing.
And with the Rebels losing 2-1 at Maidstone United, a win for Wanderers against Scott Bartlett’s City would have put them level on points with the West Sussex outfit going into the final round of matches.
However, with gloveman Charlie Binns in inspired form, Bath recorded a sensational 3-1 victory, the result ensuring Dorking were pushed down to third spot in the standings by Hornchurch.
Although mathematically the Surrey team can still win the championship on the final day of the regular campaign, they would need a miracle as Worthing have an overwhelming goal-difference.
Alex Fisher celebrates with Bath City supporters after scoring against Dorking Wanderers at Meadowbank Stadium | Photo © Simon Howe
And the result against the Romans grated with Dorking manager Marc White.
He said: “We’ve had 34 shots and over 20 of them were on target. Bath had four shots on target and scored three goals.
“We couldn’t have been more dominant in the first half. And then they do a little one-two, great goal.
“Dominate, dominate, dominate, and then their keeper’s had an absolutely unbelievable game – and that’s obviously frustrating.
“The data would tell you, and anyone that was here today would say, we’re playing good football.”
Bath City’s Jordan Alves looks to motor past a Dorking Wanderers man during the Enterprise National League South game in Surrey | Photo © Simon Howe
A crowd of 2,277 saw Matt Bowman hand City a 20th-minute advantage.
Wanderers came close to levelling before the break, Harry Pinchard hitting the bar.
However, Pinchard was involved in Dorking’s equaliser – 20 minutes into the second half. His corner was headed in by Brennan Camp.
But with 14 minutes to go, Scott Wilson set up Alex Fisher to fire home from 12 yards.
And worse was to come for the high-fliers as, in the 86th minute, Donovan Wilson netted via a post after his initial effort was blocked.
Camp headed against a post in the closing stages but there was no denying City a superb success.
Bath: Charlie Binns, Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves (Brad Ash, 85), Scott Wilson, Alex Fisher (Reubin Sheppard, 88), Matt Bowman (Jaiden Putman, 72), Donovan Wilson, Josh Laqeretabua. Unused subs: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Louis Sweeten, Mitch Beardmore, Owen Pritchard.
A young City team were beaten 3-1 by Frome Town at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park in a Francis Hillier Premier Cup semi-final on Thursday 16th April.
But in front of 683 spectators, the hosts took a 21st-minute lead. Louis Sweeten’s free-kick was cleared only as far as Sam Stirling and he struck from 16 yards.
The Robins equalised through San Meakes in the 36th minute but needed two goals in the closing stages to send them through to the showpiece, Jensen Wakefield and Albie Hopkins on target.
Bath: Charlie Binns, Blake Bennett, Seweryn Streczen, Tresor Mabika, Sam Stirling, Emmanouil Athanasiou, Cayden Linton (Mohamed Manhi, 74), Owen Pritchard, Zion Thompson (Finley Siddorn, 85), Louis Sweeten, Oliver Montgomery (Djibril Ciss, 78). Unused subs: Dominic Cook, Evan Siddorn, Edison Poole, Harry Williams.
Frome will face Portishead Town in the final at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Tuesday 21st April (7.45pm).
Bath will complete their season with a league game against Maidstone at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 25th April (12.30pm).
Looking to the future, boss Bartlett said: “We need to maybe make it a little bit more difficult to be a Bath City player, a little bit less comfortable. I think there’s masses of potential, that’s why I came here.
“If we’d had an extra couple of games, we’d have probably given ourselves a really good chance of staying in the division.
“But it is what it is and I’m looking forward to rebuilding, I’m looking forward to growing the club from the football side and putting a team together that we can be really proud of.”
Discounted tickets for the game against Maidstone are available here.
