A crowd of more than 400 turned out at Plain Ham on Tuesday 22nd July to see Bath City Football Club beat neighbours Larkhall Athletic 1-0 in a friendly.
Jordan Alves, number seven, is congratulated after scoring for Bath City at Larkhall | Photo © Simon Howe
The Romans’ victory was their first this pre-season – and it was achieved thanks to a free-kick from Jordan Alves.
The first chance went to the visitors, Kieran Parselle firing well over the bar.
But Bath went ahead in the 18th minute, when Alves smashed in a free-kick from just outside the box.
It could have been 2-0 shortly afterwards. Luke Russe slammed the ball off a post and the follow-up from Ewan Clark was thwarted by a fantastic flying save from Athletic keeper Liam Armstrong.
Larkhall’s best effort of the first half was a long-ranger from Max Williams that was saved by Romans’ gloveman Harvey Wiles-Richards.
Bath City’s Ewan Clark moves clear of Larkhall’s Alex Camm at Plain Ham on Tuesday 22nd July | Photo © Simon Howe
The hosts’ giant striker Dylan Tate came close to levelling matters in the second half. He beat the Bath defence but was unable to finish.
Next, Athletic’s Alex Camm held up the ball superbly in the Bath box but miscued.
City then turned the screw, but the Larks’ defence held firm.
Still, home youngster Toby Brooks sent a great shot towards goal, only for Wiles-Richards to save.
The last word went to Bath, a corner pinging off a Larkhall post.
Things get a bit shirty during the Larks versus Romans friendly | Photo © Simon Howe
Larkhall starting XI: Liam Armstrong, Jack Goodall, Ethan Hill, Sam Boulton, Asa White, Will Sage, Max Williams, Alex Camm, Dylan Tate, Will Osborne, Eben Mortimer-Taylor.
Bath starting XI: Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes, Ollie Tomlinson, Kieran Parselle, Jordan Alves, Ewan Clark, Brad Ash, Alex Fisher, Louis Sweeten, Trialist A, Luke Russe.
City boss Darren Way said: “It was an excellent exercise for where we are.
“We made a number of changes in the starting XI and then we made some changes at half-time, so that always disrupts the rhythm of the game.
“To be fair to Larkhall, they kept going to the bitter end – but it was a good workout for us.
“I thought we created a number of chances but I want players to be a little bit more clinical. But I’m pretty sure it’ll all come together.
“Where we are as a club and from a physical point of view, I’m really, really pleased.”
This Saturday (26th July), the Romans will entertain Enterprise National League outfit Yeovil Town in a friendly at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park (3pm).
Way made his name as a player with the Glovers in the noughties and managed them in League Two from 2015 to 2019.
Discounted tickets for the Bath-Yeovil clash are available here.
Also on 26th July, the Larks will face uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side Hallen, based near Avonmouth, in another friendly at Plain Ham (3pm).
