Bath City are still looking for their first win under new boss Scott Bartlett, who admits that they seem destined for relegation.
Bath City skipper Kieran Parselle heads clear during the Enterprise National League South loss at Maidenhead United | Photo © Simon Howe
With the Romans having drawn his first game in charge, at Eastbourne Borough on Saturday 28th March, they rounded off the month with a 3-0 reverse at promotion-chasing Maidenhead United.
The Magpies triumphed 3-0 at York Road on Tuesday 31st March to leave Bath 10 points adrift of Farnborough – who occupy the last of the ‘safe’ positions – with only one game in hand on the Hampshire club.
City’s fate is by no means sealed yet. But, without a victory in 14 matches, it seems increasingly likely that they will be demoted from Enterprise National League South this year, with only six games – 18 points to play for – to save themselves from Pitching In Southern League football for 2026-27.
And after the loss to Maidenhead, Bartlett conceded that the trapdoor is starting to open for his side.
Bath City’s Dan Greenslade keeps his eyes on the ball at Maidenhead United on Tuesday 31st March | Photo © Simon Howe
The gaffer said: “We’re going to build a really good team.
“Now it’s all about the players. It’s not really about me, it’s about them and them showing me and us [the management team] and the club and the supporters that some of them want to stay for the journey.
“This is going be really, really difficult for us to say in this division, and we know that. I knew that before I came in. Whatever league we’re in [next season], it’s likely to be the one below now.
“We’re going be really, really competitive [next season] – and to do that, we’ve got to build a really good squad, which we’ll do.
“We [the management team] could’ve all taken the easy option, and come in in a few weeks’ time when it was all done and dusted one way or the other. But I think this [being in place now] gives us a huge advantage, actually.
“And as weird as it sounds, I quite enjoyed the game. I enjoyed the effort the lads showed. I enjoyed the relationship between the players and the supporters afterwards – I thought they [the fans] were magnificent again.
“I think there’s so much potential here.
Scott Bartlett, Bath City’s new boss, gives the thumbs-up before the Enterprise National League South clash with Maidenhead United | Photo © Simon Howe
“Loads of stuff went against us today. But it is what it is, and I won’t let that dampen my enthusiasm for what’s going be a really exciting challenge.
“But on the back of a defeat like that – when we actually worked really, really hard – it probably shows that the quality and the depth are not quite there for us to challenge decent teams at the moment.
“Loads of honesty from me. I would say loads of honesty from the players as well today.
“We didn’t have enough spells in the game. We didn’t have enough composure when we had the ball.
“Tonight was difficult because I actually thought we played OK, and there’s still a huge gulf between us and Maidenhead.
“To expect us to win five games in the last seven or eight was going to be a big ask, but I’ll expect a little bit more from the players. And I’ve told them that.
“There has to come a point where players and everyone have to take responsibility.
“It’ll always fall on my shoulders, and I’m really comfortable with that, I’ve been doing this a long time.
“There’s going to be a really exciting challenge and a rebuild.”
The Magpies opened the scoring on the half-hour, when Josh Popoola fired in after Remy Clerima knocked on a corner from Owen Cochrane.
It was not until the 37th minute that City managed a shot on target – and they found themselves two goals behind just before the break.
Owen Windsor brought down Jayden Mitchell-Lawson in the box and Josh Umerah banged in the resulting penalty.
United’s final goal came in the 70th minute, Alfie Pendlebury heading in a Cochrane corner, to the delight of home supporters in the crowd of 958.
The visitors’ best chance was an 18-yarder from Jaiden Putman that was tipped over by keeper Jordi van Stappershoef in first-half injury-time.
There was a small piece of good news for City though, as their fellow strugglers Enfield Town were beaten by visitors Chesham United the same evening.
Bath: Charlie Binns, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson (Moses Alexander-Walker, 68), Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves, Alex Fisher (Scott Wilson, 12), Owen Windsor, Jaiden Putman, Reubin Sheppard, Donovan Wilson (Louis Sweeten, 79), Josh Laqeretabua. Unused subs: Martin Horsell, Brad Ash, Owen Pritchard.
The Romans – who have the unwanted record of the fewest wins, seven, in the division this season – will entertain fellow strugglers Chippenham Town on Good Friday, 3rd April.
And Bath will face further league action on Easter Monday, 6th April, when they take on high-flying Torquay United at Plainmoor.
Both matches will get under way at 3pm.
Tickets for the derby with Chippenham are available here.
And tickets for the game at Torquay can be purchased here.
