Romans praised by conquerors’ boss after heavy defeat in friendly

Bath City will head into their Pitching In Southern League Premier South opener on the back of a heavy defeat by Farnborough.

Bath City manager Scott Bartlett – pictured at Melksham Town on Tuesday 28th July – will take his side to Sholing for their league opener this weekend on the back of a heavy defeat at Farnborough | Photo © Simon Howe

The Romans – who were relegated from Enterprise National League South last season – will travel to Southampton to take on Sholing on Saturday 8th August in their first Step 3 match under manager Scott Bartlett.

The game at the Mortgage Decisions Stadium on Portsmouth Road will be City’s second successive fixture in Hampshire – and they will be hoping for a better outcome than they experienced when they visited Boro on Saturday 1st August.

Bath met Farnborough in their final pre-season friendly. But there was a trophy at stake at the Saunders Transport Community Stadium.

The sides played for the Ted Pearce Memorial Cup, in tribute to a former Farnborough Town gaffer.

Ted Pearce – who died in 2022 – managed Town, the forerunner of Farnborough FC, for 23 years and led them from parks football to the equivalent of the National League.

But it was National League South outfit Boro who claimed the trophy, beating the below-par Romans 3-0.

The hosts applied early pressure and it was no surprise that they opened the scoring in the 12th minute, summer signing Sam Barratt volleying past Bath keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards.

However, Wiles-Richards produced a superb save shortly before half-time. He knocked behind a fine shot from Michael Reindorf, who earned Championship experience with Cardiff City and also played in the EFL for Bristol Rovers and Newport County.

Farnborough extended their lead five minutes into the second half, when Barratt – who played in League One for Southend United – sent Wiles-Richards the wrong way from the spot after Jack Batten brought down Sam Okoye in the box.

Substitute Mason Bloomfield completed the scoring with a header in the 75th minute.

However, Farnborough manager Spencer Day believes City will have a fine season.

After the game, he said: “I thought we were very good. It was a really good test.

“Bath I’m sure will have a really good season.

“They’re very physical. They’re full of National South and National League players.

“I thought generally we were very good, clean sheet, we missed an open goal as well.”

Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Reuben Reid, Jack Batten, Enzio Boldwewijn (Harry Parsons, 80), Scott Wilson, Donovan Wilson (Joe Raynes, 81), Owen Windsor, Trialist (Oliver Montgomery, 75), Jordan Tillson (Sam Stirling, 75), Ollie Tomlinson (Matt Bowman, 46), Seweryn Streczen (Kieran Parselle, 81). Unused sub: Martin Horsell.

Sholing are sure to provide tough opposition for Bartlett’s men, having finished sixth in Premier South – one place outside the play-off zone – last term.

Kick-off in the Boatman versus Romans clash will be at 3pm.