Sutton United (1)1 Bath City (0)3

Bath City continued their unbeaten run with a victory at Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane ground, a result that had appeared highly unlikely at the half time break. Whilst it is still early days in the season, the welcome three points ensured that Lee Howells’ side moved towards a much more comfortable position in the Vanarama Conference South table, having previously been languishing just above the drop zone.

The weather in Surrey saw a dramatic change for the better during the interval, and this was mirrored exactly by City’s performance. With the rain falling heavily from the start, the Somerset side struggled to find any cohesion and, despite enjoying their fair share of possession, failed to register an attempt at goal in the opening 45 minutes.

In truth, the hosts were only marginally better, with Jason Mellor having precious little to do between the City sticks. Indeed, most of his problems were caused by his own difficultly in keeping his feet in the sodden goalmouth, and he was relieved to see one charged down clearance bounce to safety.

The visitors suffered a blow when Dan Bowman was forced to leave the field following a particularly poor challenge by Glen Southam, who was booked for his troubles. With the full back being replaced by Kyle Patten, Bath appeared unbalanced for the remainder of the half, which, without doubt, contributed to their inability to make an impression on the home defence.

The hosts should have taken the lead on the half hour mark when another unfortunate slip by Mellor presented Jessy Reindorf with an apparent tap in. However, the forward hit the prone keeper with his first effort, and then somehow stabbed the rebound wide of the post.

The reprieve, however, was short lived, and Sutton took the lead on 39 minutes. Callam Hart’s cross found Dale Binns beyond the far post, and the winger drilled a low shot under the diving Mellor from close range.

Miraculously, the skies cleared during the interval, and those in attendance were blessed with glorious warm autumn sunshine, and his proved to be a catalyst for a complete change in City’s demeanor in the second half. From the outset, they tore into their opponents as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser.

A number of corners were forced in the first 15 minutes by the visitors, but they were unable to take advantage, and the closest they came to scoring was a Dave Pratt header from Ashley Kington’s corner that flew well over the crossbar.

Ross Stearn replaced the tiring Andy Watkins on 63 minutes, and he immediately began to make an impact on the game with his energy and pace.

With 68 minutes on the clock, Chas Hemmings was released with a clear run on goal by Kington’s precise through ball, but the Cityman delayed his shot too long, allowing home custodian Alan Julian time to block his eventual effort. To his immence credit, Hemmings reacted quickly to block the keeper’s attempted clearance and played the ball inside to Stearn. The substitute raced towards goal, only to be hauled back by Micky Spillane, leaving the referee, Mr. Carl Brook of Hastings, the simple decision of pointing to the spot. The defender being given his marching orders was an inevitable outcome in the circumstances.

Despite the taking of the penalty being delayed by a quantity of grass in Julian’s eye, Pratt coolly found the corner of the net, sending the visually challenged keeper the wrong way in the process.

In the ensuing 15 minutes the home side belied their numerical disadvantage as they enjoyed the greater possession and won a couple of corner kicks, looking the more likely to add to the scoreline. However, it was not to be, and City took the lead with 8 minutes left on the clock in truly spectacular fashion. Stearn picked out Ben Adelsbury thirty yards from goal with a cross-field ball and, without hesitation, the midfielder struck an unstoppable dipping piledriver that sailed over the static Julian and ripped into the roof of the net.

Sutton were now clearly deflated and the final nail was drilled into their coffin deep into stoppage time. Again, Stearn was the provider, as he made his way to the byline and crossed for Pratt to neatly tuck the ball inside the far post from close range.

In the end, this was a deserved victory for City, in a game that was a stark illustration of the adage ‘a game of two halves’. Whilst the recent run of results have been impressive, the management team will, no doubt, look for the team to produce today’s second half performance for a full ninety minutes. The healthy number of travelling supporters present were, however, rightly appreciative of the character shown by their side today and confidence will remain high going into next week’s important FA Cup match against Shortwood United. The overriding memory of the day will, however, be that wonderful strike from Ben Adelsbury.


Sutton United: Alan Julian, Kevin Amankwaah, Callum Hart, Bedsente Gomis (Nicholas Bignall 75), Micky Spillane, Charlie Clough, Kane Haysman (Matt Lockwood 70), Glen Southam, Craig Dundas, Jessy Reindorf (Jack Evans 87), Dale Binns. Subs not used: Ricky Wellard, Tom Lovelock.
Bath City: Jason Mellor, Dan Bowman (Kyle Patten 26), Dan Ball, Andy Gallinagh, Pat Keary, Sekani Simpson, Andy Watkins (Ross Stearn 63), Ben Adelsbury, Dave Pratt, Ashley Kington, Chas Hemmings (Nick McCootie 86). Sub not used: Jim Rollo.
Referee: Carl Brook
Attendance: 706

Well you have risen to the challenge of finding yet another way to describe a goalkeeper!!

It did look like a pretty blatant piece of time wasting by an increasingly embarrassed keeper!

Welcome back, KK - you have been missed!

Was Skyblue filming the match? I'd love to see Ben's thunderbolt.

Must have been some run and pass to release big Chas with a clear run through on the goal!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulloughlin/sets/72157648406004715/page2/

Sutton United photos showing some for away fans.

I really shouldn't have stood above that advertising board!