Superb display ensures Romans hold visitors from three leagues up

Bath City are set for an excellent season in Pitching In Southern League Premier South if their performance against the professionals of Newport County is anything to go by.

Summer signing Harry Parsons in action for Bath City against Newport County at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 25th July | Photo © Simon Howe

The Romans faced the League Two outfit in a friendly at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 25th July and produced a superb display that secured a thoroughly deserved 2-2 draw.

Newport led twice but were pegged back each time by a determined home side who had the audacity to nearly snatch a late decider.

And even though a Bath winner was not to be, the hosts can take a lot of confidence from stalemate against a side from three divisions higher up the football ladder.

Bath played down the slope in the first half but the Exiles made the early running.

A great chance fell to Moses Alexander-Walker, who had a loan spell at City last season. With 12 minutes gone, the young forward shot – but home gloveman Harvey Wiles-Richards saved with his legs.

Bath City’s trialist looks to shake off two Newport County players during the pre-season friendly on Saturday 25th July | Photo © Simon Howe

The Romans’ first opportunity arrived 10 minutes later, Reuben Reid and the only trialist in their matchday squad combining to set up Harry Parsons, who headed over the bar.

Wiles-Richards parried a 25th-minute free-kick from Wales international Matt Smith. And seconds later, the keeper turned away a shot from Alexander-Walker.

But Wiles-Richards was beaten in the 41st minute. Ged Gardner sent in a drive from 18 yards and Kieran Parselle attempted to clear but could only divert the ball into the net.

City almost levelled just before half-time, Reid setting up Parsons whose shot was blocked by Tom Davies.

However, Scott Bartlett’s men were on terms shortly after the restart.

Bath City’s Matt Bowman and Newport County’s former Roman Moses Alexander-Walker tussle in Twerton on Saturday 25th July | Photo © Simon Howe

In the 49th minute, Dan Greenslade floated over a corner from the right – and the ball deceived Newport’s trialist substitute custodian to make the score 1-1.

Parity was short-lived, though. Four minutes later, Harrison Halpin beat Wiles-Richards with a flick header following a left-wing corner by Smith.

Straight afterwards, Alexander-Walker made way for summer signing Yahya Bamba.

County almost made it 3-1 in the 56th minute, Wiles-Richards saving with his legs.

But Bath settled, gave as good as they got and equalised with 11 minutes to go.

Youngster Seweryn Streczen – who had just arrived off the bench – crossed from the left and fellow substitute Alex Fisher buried the ball from close range against the club he served during the 2021-22 campaign.

And it could have been even better for the Romans, only a block from Smith – who was a member of the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – thwarting a goalbound effort from Donovan Wilson.

Home fans in the crowd of 618 will have seen enough in City’s final home friendly to believe that the powerful squad being assembled by manager Bartlett have a very good chance of making an immediate return to National League South after relegation in the spring.

Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle (Enzio Boldewijn, 46), Owen Windsor (Donovan Wilson, 46), Ollie Chamberlain (Alex Fisher, 64), Trialist (Jordan Tillson, 46), Reuben Reid (Scott Wilson, 46), Harry Parsons (Seweryn Streczen, 77), Matt Bowman (Owen Pritchard, 84). Unused subs: Martin Horsell, Jack Batten.

The Romans will visit Southern League Division One South outfit Melksham Town on Tuesday 28th July, the friendly having been put back from 25th July to accommodate City’s game against Newport.

Kick-off at the Meads of Melksham Community Football Stadium will be at 7.45pm.