Bath City (0)1 Dorchester Town (0)0

Bath City took three points from their game against Skrill South basement club Dorchester Town at Mayday Trust Park. Despite the visitors finishing the match with ten players and City creating a plethora of chances, Lee Howell’s side were grateful for a rare goal from Joe Burnell two minutes into the second half that secured their victory.

The Magpies began proceedings the far brighter of the teams and the opening exchanges were played out largely in the City half. Nathan Craig curled a powerful shot just over Jason Mellor’s crossbar following a partially cleared corner in the 2nd minute. Two minutes later Charlie Losasso ran on to a ball that had bounced over Andy Gallinagh’s head, but sent his shot wide of the far post.

The home team were struggling to find their passes on the bumpy surface, and it was not until the 8th minute that they produced their first shot on goal. Chris Allen’s free kick from the right was met by Phil Walsh, only for his shot to be directed straight at keeper Alan Walker-Harris.

Jake Reid ran at the heart of the Town defence on 11 minutes, but his eventual shot was blocked by a defensive challenge.

A poor goal kick from Mellor almost proved costly when the ball fell into the path of Warren Byerley, the keeper being grateful to see the striker’s attempt from 20 yards clear the crossbar. Craig’s free kick from 25 yards then passed harmlessly wide of the post.

Allen’s free kick in the 19th minute rebounded to him off the defensive wall, and his follow up shot was deflected over the bar by a defender’s head, but it was the Dorset side who continued to enjoy the greater share of possession.

Craig volleyed well over Mellor’s bar on 24 minutes, but City had a presentable opportunity to take the lead on the half hour mark. A long free kick into the Town box from Walsh fell to Allen in front of goal, but the midfielder was unable to make good contact, and the chance was lost.

Sekani Simpson crossed from the right eleven minutes before the break, only for Andy Watkins’ glancing header to drift wide of the far post. The final opening of the half fell to Burnell, but his rising drive from 20 yards was always too high to trouble Walker-Harris.

City pushed forward immediately from the restart and went in front in the 47th minute. Scott Wilson’s cross from the right found Watkins at the near post but his initial angled shot was blocked on the line. The striker reacted quickly to return the ball towards the penalty spot, from where the unmarked Burnell calmly found the back of the net, despite the best efforts of Walker-Harris.

The hosts now began to dominate their opponents without posing any genuine threat to increase the scoreline. Ross Stearn replaced Wilson on 57 minutes, and immediately caused problems for the Dorchester defence with his pace and trickery.

It was, however, the visitors who came close to an equaliser after 59 minutes, when Losassa’s well struck angled shot rattled the outside of the side stanchion.

City had an excellent opportunity to increase their advantage in the 70th minute when Stearns’ free kick found Walsh at the far post, but the defender somehow contrived to head against the crossbar from well inside the six-yard box.

Dave Pratt and Ben Adelsbury came on for Reid and Burnell respectively to provide some fresh legs and, when play resumed, Watkins’ cross picked out Allen in the Town box, but the midfielder rolled his effort the wrong side of the far post. Stearn’s thunderous goalbound shot then struck away skipper Mark Jermyn flush in the face, leaving him looking somewhat dazed.

Matters soon became more difficult for The Magpies when, in the 75th minute, the experienced Nick Crittenden was shown a second yellow card by referee Mr. Simon Knapp for the last in a catalogue of misdemeanors. This served to signal a City onslaught in the closing stages as they looked to put the match beyond their opponants.

Stearn worked his way across the edge of the Town area, but succeeded only in dragging his effort well wide of the target. Watkins found Allen with a cross from the left, but the midfielder again failed to beat Walker-Harris from a useful position.

After 80 minutes, Allen volleyed narrowly wide of the far post from 20 yards following good work down the right by Stearn, and the same combination set up Watkins two minutes later, but his back heeled attempt from 6 yards out was straight at the goalkeeper.

The final chance of the game fell to Stearn when he latched on to a perfect cross field ball from Watkins, only for the wideman to fire wastefully over the crossbar.

Whilst City failed to find any real momentum in the first half, they eventually dominated the game and should have won by a far more comfortable margin. Dorchester had their fair share of possession for the first hour, but never seriously threatened the home goal and, in the end, their numerical disadvantage proved one obstacle too far.


BATH CITY: Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Dan Ball, Andy Gallinagh, Phil Walsh, Joe Burnell (Ben Adelsbury 73), Adam Connolly, Chris Allen, Jake Reid (Dave Pratt 73), Andy Watkins, Scott Wilson (Ross Stearn 57). Subs not used: Dan Bowman, Josh Low.
DORCHESTER TOWN: Alan Walker-Harris, Sam Lanahan (Jake McCarthy 62), Jake Smeeton, Mark Jermyn, Nathan Walker, Nathan Craig, Nick Crittenden, Jamie Gleeson (Clive Makoni 80), Ashley Yeoman, Warren Byerley (Dan Munday 62), Charlie Losasso. Subs not used: Steve Walker, Jack Twyford.
REFEREE: Mr. Simon Knapp (Pucklechurch).
ATT: 555.

probably the right result.
if Dorchester play like that the rest of the season then i think they will go down
would be a shame to lose this fixture as i quite enjoy our trips down there.
hope they stay up along with maidenhead