Bath City came back from the dead on Saturday 14th March to take a crucial point in their battle to avoid relegation from Enterprise National League South.
Jack Batten celebrates with Bath City fans after scoring the point-saver in the Enterprise National League South clash with Hornchurch | Photo © Simon Howe
The odds were against the Romans when they found themselves 2-0 down to title-challengers Hornchurch before the interval at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.
But, on what City designated Family Fun Day, the hosts pulled back a goal through Scott Wilson before receiving a big boost when the Urchins’ Henry Sandat was sent off with 21 minutes to go.
Then Jack Batten fired a 74th-minute equaliser to see Bath emerge with a draw that closed to four points the gap on 20th-placed Farnborough, who occupy the last of the ‘safe’ positions.
The Romans have between one and four matches in hand on all of the sides around them in the table but slipped down a place to 22nd on 14th March courtesy of neighbours Chippenham Town winning 2-1 at Dover Athletic.
And it looked as though Bath were in for another fruitless 90 minutes when they found themselves in deep trouble at the interval against the Urchins.
Scott Wilson puts the ball into the net from close range to give Bath City hope at 2-1 down against Hornchurch on Saturday 14th March | Photo © Simon Howe
The East Londoners were well on top in the opening period and took the lead in the 11th minute, Charlie Pegrum setting up Sandat to drill past hosts’ keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards from 12 yards.
That advantage became 2-0 in first-half injury-time when Sandat pivoted and curled the ball beyond Wiles-Richards.
However, an improved Bath reduced the arrears in the 58th minute.
Batten pushed the ball forward, Reubin Sheppard lifted it over Hornchurch gloveman Arthur Nasta and Wilson – in his second game after being recalled from his loan spell with Weston-super-Mare – popped it into the net from close range.
And the visitors suffered a big blow when Sandat was red-carded for an off-the-ball incident.
Bath sensed their chance and got back on terms when skipper Kieran Parselle knocked a Hornchurch clearance back into the box and Batten headed home from short range.
City pressed for a winner but had to be content with stalemate, an excellent result against the side best placed to rein in table-toppers Dorking Wanderers.
The referee shows the red card to Hornchurch’s Henry Sandat and the match at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park swings in Bath City’s favour | Photo © Simon Howe
However, the Romans really need victories, having not experienced success in the league since they beat Worthing on Saturday 24th January – 10 games ago.
Bath: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Jack Batten, Kieran Parselle, Scott Wilson, Jordan Tillson (Luke Skinner, 72), Luke Russe, Matt Bowman (Jordan Alves, 46), Owen Windsor (Dan Greenslade, 46), Jaiden Putman, Reubin Sheppard (Alex Fisher, 79), Josh Laqeretabua. Unused subs: Charlie Binns, Moses Alexander-Walker.
The Romans are next in action tomorrow, Tuesday 17th March, when they make the long trip to West Sussex to face 15th-placed Horsham in another crucial league game (7.45pm).
Tickets for the game at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium are available here.
On Saturday 21st March, City will face their second big journey of the week – to Kent club Tonbridge Angels as they pursue more National League South points (3pm).
Tickets for the match against the 16th-placed Angels at the Yeomans Community Stadium can be purchased here.
Bath’s Mitch Beardmore has joined Plymouth Parkway on loan until the end of the season – and he made a dream start to his second spell at Bolitho Park.
Coming off the bench, Beardmore headed a late goal to hand Parkway a 1-0 home win over Yate Town in Pitching In Southern League Premier South on 14th March.
Beardmore played for Parkway last season while on loan from Exeter City.
