Trialists on target as Romans sink Larks, ex-Arygle man leaves

Bath City ran out 3-1 derby winners over Larkhall Athletic in a pre-season friendly at the Camella Stadium on Tuesday 7th July.

One of Bath City’s trialists puts the ball past Larkhall Athletic keeper Liam Armstrong to give the Southern League Premier South outfit a 2-0 lead at the Camella Stadium on Tuesday 7th July | Photo © Simon Howe

Although the hosts had opened their warm-up programme by winning 2-1 at Bitton on Saturday 4th July, the Plain Ham encounter was the Romans’ first outing as they gear up for what is set to be a Pitching In Southern League Premier South promotion challenge.

City included three trialists in their matchday squad – and two of them were on target as the visitors established a 3-0 advantage before the Larks hit back with a penalty late on.

Enzio Boldewijn headed wide for the guests after only three minutes but Bath broke the deadlock a quarter of an hour later.

Joe Raynes, the Romans’ new skipper, crossed and Jordan Tillson headed past home gloveman Liam Armstrong from six yards.

And 15 minutes later it was 2-0. Raynes, playing against his former club, set up one of the trialists who took the ball past Armstrong and tapped it into the net.

Rebuen Reid shoots for Bath City during their 3-1 success at Larkhall Athletic on Tuesday 7th July | Photo © Simon Howe

Injury meant the second scorer made way for Reuben Reid, and the former West Bromwich Albion striker came close to making it 3-0 before the break. Reid was thwarted by Armstrong in a one-on-one after being released by Ollie Tomlinson.

Reid fired at Armstrong early in the second half but the Larks kept going and a stiff shot from Milo Murgatroyd was parried by visitors’ keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards.

Harry Parsons drove over from 18 yards before the Romans completed their tally after 61 minutes.

Another of the trialists looked to make a cross – but instead the ball whizzed over Armstrong and into the goal.

Bath City’s new skipper Joe Raynes is about to cross against his former club Larkhall Athletic at the Camella Stadium | Photo © Simon Howe

A 25-yard free-kick from Dan Greenslade hit the top of the bar before Athletic reduced the arrears with four minutes remaining.

Sam Stirling committed a foul in the box and, from the resulting spot-kick, Larkhall summer signing Elliot Gardner got the better of City’s substitute custodian Dominic Cook.

Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards (Dominic Cook, 79), Joe Raynes, Ollie Tomlinson (Sam Stirling, 79), Kieran Parselle (Jack Batten, 60), Owen Windsor (Dan Greenslade, 60), Trialist A (Owen Pritchard, 63), Jordan Tillson (Trialist C, 46), Matt Bowman (Cayden Linton, 79), Trialist B (Reuben Reid, 34), Enzio Boldewijn (Scott Wilson, 46), Harry Parsons (Seweryn Streczen, 79).

Larkhall squad: Liam Armstrong, Sam Boulton, Lewis Graham, Elliot Gardner, Harrison Coker, Freddie King, Milo Murgatroyd, James Payton, Harvey Kendrick, Kit Bond, Trialist x 5.

The Romans’ next friendly will be against Cardiff City U21 at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Tuesday 14th July (7.45pm).

Tickets are available at here.

Then on Saturday 18th July, Bath will host Plymouth Argyle in Twerton (3pm).

Tickets can be purchased here.

Meanwhile, former Plymouth first-teamer Will Jenkins Davies has left Bath.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who turned out for the Pilgrims in League One, has joined Enterprise National League South outfit Weston-super-Mare.

A statement from the Romans yesterday, Wednesday 8th July, said: “We can confirm that following discussions over the last couple of weeks, we have reached agreement with Weston-super-Mare AFC to transfer the registration of Will Jenkins Davies to the National League South side for an undisclosed fee.

“Will has a bright future in the game. We thank him for his time at the club and he goes with our best wishes.”

Bath boss Scott Bartlett said of Jenkins Davies: “Will is a talent with lots of potential and I hope he goes on to do really well.

“I would’ve liked the opportunity to work with him properly but it wasn’t to be this time around.

“We had the opportunity to get a fee which we’re happy with.

“In the meantime, his fee and his wages will go towards further strengthening our squad in readiness for the new season.”

Next up for Larkhall – who will compete in Southern League Division One South again this season – is a friendly at Shepton Mallet tomorrow, Friday 10th July.

The match against the Jewson Western League Premier Division outfit at West Shepton Playing Fields will kick-off at 7.30pm.

Larkhall’s U18 side have been accepted into the FA Youth Cup for 2026-27 – and they will play away to Gloucester City in the extra preliminary round, the tie scheduled for Monday 17th August (7pm).

If the young Larks are successful against the Tigers, they will be on their travels again – for a derby against Yate Town in the preliminary round. This game would be played during the week commencing Monday 31st August.