Romans pipped by Bristol Rovers in record-breaking friendly

Bath City Football Club attracted the highest attendance in their history for a pre-season fixture when they hosted EFL League Two side Bristol Rovers on Wednesday 16th July.

Bath City were beaten by Bristol Rovers at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park | Photo © Richard Briggs

A crowd of 2,205 turned up at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park for the friendly match that was won narrowly by the Pirates.

The visitors, Bath’s tenants from 1986 to 1996, prevailed 1-0 thanks to a 68th-minute goal from defender Bryant Bilongo.

Rovers – relegated from League One this year – were poised to take the lead in the 15th minute, but Shaq Forde blasted over from an excellent position.

However, Bath – from Enterprise National League South – got into the match and almost struck in the 33rd minute. Jordan Alves found himself through on goal but fired narrowly wide.

The guests should have gone ahead early in the second period, but Cyprus international Ruel Sotiriou put the ball wide from close range.

Rovers had an effort cleared off the line after 61 minutes – and their boss Darrell Clarke made seven substitutions shortly afterwards.

However, it was a player who had been on the field since the start – Bilongo – who broke the deadlock when he buried the ball following a free-kick by Josh McEachran.

And it was nearly 2-0 in the 83rd minute, Romans’ keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards thwarting Ollie Dewsbury from close range.

Former Bath gloveman Luke Southwood – who spent the 2017-18 season with the club, on loan from Reading – was among Rovers’ starting XI. The ex-Northern Ireland international signed for the Pirates this month.

City starting XI: Wiles-Richards, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Batten (Forkou, 80), Parselle (Fisher, 70), Alves, Jenkins-Davies, Wilson (Clark, 56), Ash (Fleming, 70), Beardmore (Tillson, 56), Russe. Unused subs: Sweeten, Mabika, Pritchard, Horsell, Sardo.

The Romans are next in action on Tuesday 22nd July when they take on neighbours Larkhall Athletic, from Pitching In Southern League Division One South, at Plain Ham (7.45pm).