A sweltering Bank Holiday Monday afternoon greets the two sides walking out. Hungerford Town host a Bath City side at the lower end of the table. With both teams out of form, victory for Hungerford would be important in their push for the play-offs whereas a Bath win would see them take a great leap towards safety.
‘6 In an open first five minutes, Bath begin to move forward and gain a throw-in. Wideman Elliot Frear launches in a great delivery to forward Alex Fletcher who drives into the box and takes aim. The ball bounces loose and, as if in slow motion, striker Dave Sims-Burgess reaches it and guides the shot in. A huge lift for a Bath side whose confidence has waned recently.
The atmosphere returns shortly afterwards to one of quiet, however. The Romans keep up the pressure but Hungerford continue to make progress as well, each side matching each other in terms of chances. Cody Cooke receives a flick-on at the edge of the area after some neat passing. He earns a free-kick in a great position which Tom Smith prepares to take. He fires a rocket of a strike into the top corner beyond goalkeeper Luke Cairney who gets a hand to it. Euphoria follows with that goal giving City a huge boost in their fight for survival.
Half time offers a pause for thought and a chance to look at respective performances. Hungerford have been solid throughout, causing a goalmouth scramble at one stage and arguably having the more clear-cut opportunities – Bath will need to remember to stay on their toes against a side with the league’s top scorer leading the line. It’s been the Romans best half in a long time though so as long as they keep stamina up and play as well as they did in the first half, they can take away three vital points.
Hungerford press well at the beginning of the second half and force a good save out of Bath goalkeeper Clarke. City then start to get some good passing going and move forward with the away fans enthusing them constantly.
‘80 With Roman supporters the only thing audible, City continue to counter well. Ben Seymour
sprints towards the penalty box but gets brought down. Although the tackle looked quite light, the referee saw the defender as the last man and sends the Hungerford player off.
‘86 Midfielder Elliot Frear goes on a great run down the wing. He gives the ball to Cody Cooke who keeps the ball in and backheels the ball to Frear who wallops in Bath’s third, capping off a top-draw team move.
90+1 Smith darts in for a final attack and passes the ball perfectly to Alex Fletcher who sets himself to score the fourth but the shot ricochets just off the bar.
While both teams put in a good performance, it was great to see such a strong display from Bath who’ve had a difficult season. More matches like this will keep City afloat and auger well for the next season.
Hungerford Town 0-3 Bath City