Bath City (2)3 Concord Rangers (1)1

Bath City extended their winning streak to four matches as they overcame a strong challenge from Concord Rangers at a wet Twerton Park. Leading by the odd goal in three at the break, City needed to withstand a prolonged period of pressure from the Essex outfit during the early stages of the second half before a great strike from Tom Smith in the 73rd minute finally put the game beyond the visitors.

The hosts began strongly and took the lead after only 6 minutes when Sam Pearson sent in a low cross from the right that was deftly helped past Rangers keeper Chris Haigh by Adam Mann via the inside of the far post.

City continued to have the better of the early exchanges, and Haigh was relieved to see a Frankie Artus shot from the edge of the box in the 12th minute fly straight into his hands after taking a deflection off one of his defenders.

Concord were posing problems going forward but were unable to carve out any clear openings. Indeed, the home side remained the more threatening up front and almost broke through again on 23 minutes. Pearson raced away quickly down the left and laid the ball into the path of Smith, but Haigh came out rapidly to make an excellent blocking save from the midfielder’s shot.

Both sides were becoming increasingly frustrated with some inconsistent and perplexing decisions from referee Mr. Daniel Lamport, but Concord’s attacking endeavours were rewarded on the half hour mark, when parity was restored following a long throw in. The ball reached Decarrey Sheriff who found space in the City box, and Ryan Clarke did brilliantly to block his low effort. However, the ball ran loose to Tom Clifford who forced it into the net through the keeper’s hands from close range.

The Romans responded strongly to this setback, but Artus’s dragged a shot well wide of the target from 20 yards. Pearson then cut inside from the left, only to see his curling effort drift just over the angle of post and crossbar.

City regained the lead four minutes before the break when a cross from the right was partially cleared to the edge of the Rangers area, from where Noah Chilvers struck the ball neatly into the corner of the net beyond Haigh’s dive.

The away side came out of the blocks quickly as the second period commenced, and David Olufemi produced a weaving run from the halfway line before his eventual shot was palmed round the near post by the diving Clarke. Despite being largely on the back foot, City almost increased their advantage in the 53rd minute when a free kick into the box was headed goalwards by Dan Bowry drawing a fine diving save from Haigh. The ball fell to Alex Hartridge, whose goalbound shot was hurriedly cleared off the line by a defender.

The Beachboys were now putting the home defence under increasing pressure and, on 65 minutes, Clarke was called upon push away a firm Jack Cawley drive from distance. Despite the onslaught, the City defence held firm and, after Andy Watkins had replaced Mann, they found a third goal to ease the pressure in the 74th minute. The ball fell kindly to Smith 25 yards out, from where the Cityman drove an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner of the net, giving Haigh no chance.

The visitors came close to finding a way back into the game almost immediately, but Aron Pollock’s firm header from a free-kick, which appeared destined for the back of the net, was met with a breath-taking save by Clarke at full stretch. The keeper’s heroics clearly had a deflating effect on Rangers and, thereafter, their challenge began to peter out.

Ryan Brunt came on for Smith in the 79 minute, and City held on for victory without further undue alarm.

This was another good performance from Jerry Gill’s men, but they certainly had to work hard for their three points. To their credit, Concord came into the game looking to play attacking football and this made for an open and entertaining match on a pitch that, given the recent heavy precipitation, was understandably heavy in places. City’s play at times was testament to the confidence that comes from a winning sequence of results, and they will travel to high flying Havant & Waterlooville next Saturday looking to continue their current form.

Bath City; Ryan Clarke, Joe Raynes, Dan Bowry, Alex Hartridge, Ollie Kensdale, Connor Riley-Lowe, Frankie Artus, Noah Chilvers, Tom Smith (Ryan Brunt 79), Sam Pearson, Adam Mann (Andy Watkins 70). Subs not used; Ross Stearn, Harvey Wiles-Richards, Tom Richards

Concord Rangers; Chris Haigh, David Olufemi, Tom Clifford, Lee Minshull, Jack Cawley, Billy Roast, Kreshnic Krasniqi, Decarrey Sheriff, James Blanchfield, Joel Nouble, Aron Pollock. Subs; Danny Green, Marcel Barrington, Lamar Reynolds, Scott High, Kit Elliott.

Referee; Mr. Daniel Lamport

Attendance; 820

Great report as always

What a great performance and wonderful afternoon at Twerton Park. Some lovely passing football, pace and ball skills and then battled it out when Concord came at us in the second half. The whole team did it but Tom Smith was outstanding and I like Bowry in defence. Real buzz and great support enhanced by the German boys. I have followed this Club for 51 years and today one of those days that confirms why. But in jerry, Jim , the players and all the people who make the Club work we have a special bunch who deserve our support

Great buzz in the bar after the game too, almost like we’d gone top of the league or won a big cup game! The German lads certainly seemed to get into the spirit of things. Really good feeling about the place at the moment.

Quite agree, Ash and Pete. And don’t forget our friends from Lecco in Italy who made another visit today. We’re on a great run - long may it continue!

Coincidentally Concord was the 9th home game last season as well - the attendance was just 546 and the average for those 9 games was 890.

I was surprised how many were there yesterday as it is the first time we have had to compete with the r***y and there were no 'freebies' or reduced admission to attract the 'uncommitted' and the weather wasn't good either. The average for this season is 963 and is a credit to all those who work so hard promoting the club.