It’s been a difficult season for Bath City. Now on the home straight at the end of the campaign, the Romans face a relegation battle that is going down to the wire. Here, they host an off form but still threatening Dulwich Hamlet team. WIth games running out, a strong performance is needed to help City stay up.
‘11 In an open start with both sides having chances, Dulwich win a corner. The lofted ball is quickly blocked by the Bath defence. The cross still loops in though and Dulwich forward Chike Kandi gets a foot to it but the shot is tame. Minutes later City find Alex Fletcher with options around him, the number 7 picks out Ryan Jones who cuts in from the right flank and curls a dangerous shot flicked just over the crossbar by goalkeeper Charlie Grainger.
‘14 Soon after, a costly mistake leaves City in trouble. Midfielder Jones finds himself outnumbered around the centre circle and plays a bad back pass to centre-back Jack Batten who, in a split second, recklessly brings down onrushing Dulwich striker Ibra Sekajja, who would’ve been clear on goal, and receives a red card. Terrible news for the Romans and no one knows it more than Batten as he dejectedly walks off the pitch. Hamlet do little with the resulting free-kick but attack again minutes later. Ronnie Vint moving forward and delivering an inch-perfect pass over the Bath defence to forward Danny Mills. He chests it down nicely and lines up a volley, forcing Bath goalkeeper Ryan Clarke into making a crucial save to keep the match at 0-0.
‘24 Dulwich sustain intense pressure on their opponents, even appealing for a penalty after a tangle between defender Joe Raynes and forward James Dayton. A struggling City look to be waning more and more as the game progresses.
At half-time, it begins to seem that Bath would do well to hold on and keep the match goalless. Dulwich have been so lively in their attacking play and City have done little in response. An impressive display will be required to lift spirits and get back into the contest.
‘49 Dulwich resume the match well. An attack looks to have fizzled out but a poor clearance falls to the feet of Hamlet striker Ming. A deft ball met Mills who’s header forced an important save from Clarke.
As the game goes on beyond the hour, Mills continues to remain in the box, connecting with many good deliveries but ultimately to no avail.
‘83 The addition of Dave Sims-Burgess has so far proved positive for the Romans, picking up the ball in the final third from time to time and keeping the Dulwich defence on their toes. He latches onto a corner with a great header hurtling goalwards only for it to be blocked by a Hamlet shoulder.
‘93 Both teams throw their last ounces of energy at a late goal in the dying embers of the game. A resurgent City counter-attack; number nine Cody Cooke with options on both sides of him, he picks out Alex Fletcher, who has been a key player the whole game. He takes the ball in and fires in an excellent shot. ‘Keeper Grainger makes the save and that is pretty much that. In the end, the home side played like lions, keeping out a fearsome Dulwich team who pressured them constantly.
A performance both sides can build on ends Dulwich Hamlet 0-0 Bath City.
What they said:
Jerry Gill, Bath City Manager:
“[After Jack Batten had been sent off] We wanted to stay with [the game plan]. We knew what their danger was. We knew they wanted to drop balls and diagonal passes to Danny Mills and feed off that with runners so we stayed with the game plan and… man to man they were terrific”
Ryan Clarke, Bath City Goalkeeper:
“The players showed a lot of character and it is a great point under the circumstances. I think there were four or five man of the matches today”
Jerry Gill and Ryan Clarke were speaking to Bath City FC’s YouTube channel.
Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CRDNK239HY