Wiles-Richards keeps score down as star-studded Argyle cruise

Keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards made several excellent saves to keep the score down as Bath City were overpowered by League One side Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 18th July.

Bath City skipper Joe Raynes crosses during the pre-season friendly against Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 18th July | Photo © Simon Howe

The Devonians, who fielded several full internationals, ran the pre-season friendly at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park and the hosts were grateful to Wiles-Richards for ensuring they suffered only a 3-0 defeat.

As expected against such high-quality opposition, Bath offered very little in attack. Their only real chance came when a good header from substitute Alex Fisher was headed behind from near the line by Sam Hayman in the 66th minute.

The return of the vastly experienced Fisher, who entered the fray only three minutes earlier, was especially welcome, as he had seemed to be heading into retirement at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Summer signing Enzio Boldewijn makes a pass for Bath City as they take on Plymouth Argyle at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park | Photo © Simon Howe

Despite the game not telling home gaffer Scott Bartlett much about his forwards’ abilities in front of goal, it provided City with a decent workout against an outfit head and shoulders above any they will meet in the Pitching In Southern League during 2026-27.

Argyle played up the slope in the first half and changed ends with a two-goal advantage.

Nigeria international Owen Oseni headed wide from a cross by captain and ex-Sparta Prague man Mathias Ross in the 34th minute.

But Oseni broke the deadlock six minutes later, firing in from an angle eight yards out following a cross by former Swansea City player Matty Sorinola.

And Plymouth – who were backed by a large contingent of fans in the crowd of 1,274 – struck again just before the interval. Oseni found himself with only Wiles-Richards to beat but squared for Ghana international Michael Baidoo to pop the ball home.

It was 3-0 eight minutes into the second period, one-time Hamburger SV winger Xavier Amaechi – who was born in Bath – netting with a five-yard angled effort after fine work by Oseni and Baidoo.

Bath City’s Jack Batten on the ball at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park, with Plymouth Argyle scorer – and Nigeria international – Owen Oseni in close attendance | Photo © Simon Howe

Wiles-Richards parried a shot from Bim Pepple before Pilgrims’ boss Tom Cleverley – the former England and Manchester United midfielder – changed his entire team in the 62nd minute.

Ex-Twente player Julio Pleguezuelo flashed a header inches wide from a free-kick by Republic of Ireland international Ronan Curtis before, in the 73rd minute, Wiles-Richards tipped behind a low drive by Freddie Issaka, who had made an excellent run.

Almost immediately, Wiles-Richards pushed behind a shot from Caleb Roberts. And four minutes later, the custodian was at it again, knocking behind an effort from Bradley Ibrahim.

Unsurprisingly, Wiles-Richards was named Bath’s man of the match.

Among City’s starting line-up was striker Donovan Wilson, who has signed a two-year contract with the club.

Wilson was with the Romans on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge for a spell last season. But he played for Bath on a permanent contract prior to that, scoring six goals in nine National League South appearances during the COVID-hit 2020-21 campaign.

The 29-year-old has played in the Championship for Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as turning out for Sutton United, Grimsby Town, Exeter City, Port Vale and Macclesfield Town in League Two.

Also in the hosts’ starting line-up was former Weston-super-Mare and Taunton Town midfielder Ollie Chamberlain, who played under the moniker Trialist. The following afternoon, Bath announced that the 31-year-old had signed for them.

Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Ollie Tomlinson, Jack Batten (Dan Greenslade, 63), Kieran Parselle, Scott Wilson (Trialist C, 76), Trialist A (Matt Bowman, 46), Trialist B (Owen Windsor, 63), Jordan Tillson (Owen Pritchard, 87), Enzio Boldewijn (Alex Fisher, 63), Donovan Wilson (Reuben Reid, 63). Unused subs: Dominic Cook, Harry Parsons.

The Romans’ next friendly will be against League Two club Newport County at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park on Saturday 25th July (3pm).

Tickets are available here.