A last-gasp equaliser from the spot denied Bath City a vital victory at Farnborough in Enterprise National League South on Saturday 4th October.
Joe Raynes celebrates after putting Bath City 2-1 up at Farnborough | Photo © Simon Howe
And the Romans, who had taken the lead with two minutes to go, needed a great save from keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards to ensure they returned to the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park with a point, the game ending 2-2.
Farnborough, who went into the match in 20th spot in the table, took the lead after only three minutes in front of a 745-strong crowd at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium. Teddy Collis was the scorer, firing into the top-left corner of the net after good work by Mason Bloomfield.
However, City deserved their 55th minute equaliser. Luke Russe crossed and Brad Ash knocked the ball past home custodian and skipper Jack Turner.
And Bath appeared to have secured three points when, with 88 minutes gone, Joe Raynes latched onto a clearance, cut inside and drilled past Turner.
Farnborough were given a way back into the match in the first minute of injury-time when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jack Young. Ex-Championship player Dominic Poleon made no mistake from 12 yards.
The Hampshire team then had two excellent opportunities to claim victory.
First, Poleon burst clear but was sent wide by Wiles-Richards who then blocked the former Leeds United first-teamer’s shot.
And then a Farnborough corner caused mayhem in the Bath box, the ball hitting the inside of a post and Wiles-Richards making a one-handed save.
Bath City’s Jordan Alves tussles with a Farnborough man during the 2-2 draw in Enterprise National League South | Photo © Simon Howe
But the game ended level and the visitors’ unbeaten away record in the league continued.
The result kept Bath in 18th place in the standings.
On the bench for the Romans was 21-year-old former Ipswich Town keeper Charlie Binns who has joined on non-contract terms to provide further back-up for Wiles-Richards.
With loanee Issac Finch returning to Bristol City, Bath brought in former Millfield School pupil Binns who spent two years with Ipswich before being released by the Suffolk club this summer.
Binns played for Ipswich’s under-18s and under-21s and turned out in the senior teams at Bishops Stortford and Felixstowe & Walton United.
Bath: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle, Alves (Beardmore, 69), Jenkins-Davies, Wilson (Tabor, 76), Ash, Tillson, Russe. Unused subs: Greenslade, Binns, Sweeten, Mabika.
The Romans’ next fixture is on Tuesday 14th October, when they will entertain Jewson Western League Premier Division outfit Bridgwater United in the first round of the Francis Hillier Somerset Premier Cup.
Kick-off at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park will be at 7.45pm.
Discounted tickets are available here.
Bath had been due to entertain Tonbridge Angels in the league on Saturday 11th October but the match has been rescheduled due to the Kent side’s involvement in the Emirates FA Cup. The City versus Tonbridge clash is now due to be played on Tuesday 11th November.
The Romans attempted to arrange another fixture for Saturday 11th October but were unsuccessful, meaning they will have a blank weekend.
Bath City Women moved up to second place in Shield Services Group South West Regional Women’s Football League Division One North by seeing off Downend Flyers 2-1 at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Sunday 5th October.
Bath City Women celebrate after notching their second goal against Downend Flyers | Photo © Simon Howe
Maddie Brown and Bex Fry netted in the first 28 minutes for the Romans, only for the guests from South Gloucestershire to pull one back shortly afterwards.
Fry’s goal was her first for Bath, who now have no game until they entertain Mangotsfield United in the league on Sunday 26th October.
Bath City Women Development drew 3-3 at Banwell Ladies in Somerset County Women’s League Division One on Sunday 5th October, Phoebe Walls and Hajrija-Hari Sabic among the guests’ scorers. Bath’s tally was completed by an own goal.
The mid-table Romans will continue their league campaign when they take on Middlezoy Ladies at Peasedown St John Recreation Ground on Sunday 12th October (2pm).
