Bath City (1)2 Ebbsfleet United (1)1

Bath City returned to winning ways with a much improved performance against Ebbsfleet United at Twerton Park this evening.  Despite the openness and pace of the game there were few clear goal scoring opportunities, but two strikes from leading marksman Dave Pratt proved sufficient to earn victory for the hosts.

The opening quarter of an hour was confined to the midfield areas with a distinct air of ‘cat and mouse’, but the match sprang into life on 16 minutes.  Naby Diallo found Frankie Artus inside the box with a neat pass, and the midfielder was pulled back as he turned his marker.  The referee, Mr. Marvyn Amphlett of Kidderminster, had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and, tellingly, there was precious little dissention from the Ebbsfleet players.  Pratt stepped forward to confidently drill his low shot into the centre of the net, as Preston Edwards tumbled to his right.

The home side’s advantage lasted less than a minute as United responded almost immediately.  Matt Godden, finding himself in acres of space, volleyed goalwards and, with Jason Mellor only able to parry, Stuart Lewis was presented with the most straightforward of tasks to tap the loose ball into the net from 10 yards.

Ashley Kington found room on the edge of the Ebbsfleet area but shot straight at Edwards and, at the other end, Luke Rooney’s angled low drive came back off the face of Mellor’s near post.

Both sides sensed that the game was there to be won, but it was City who came the closest to adding to the scoreline.  Pratt seized on a defensive error on 28 minutes and raced clear on goal, only for Edwards to deflect his shot behind for a corner.  The same player weaved his way beyond three challenges four minutes later but, off balance, he was unable to exert the power in his eventual shot to beat the goalkeeper.

Rooney tried his luck with a low shot from 18 yards that almost slipped under Mellor’s body, but the keeper gathered at the second attempt.  Pratt was then desperately unlucky with a ferocious drive from 25 yards that clattered into the upright, with Edwards comprehensively beaten.

The final chance of the half arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when, after making a swift break, Diallo found Kington in space, but the midfielder’s effort was comfortably saved by Edwards.

Again the second period began slowly with the visitors generally on top, but Andy Gallinagh’s cross-shot in the 56th minute flew dangerously across the face of Edwards’ goal with no teammate being able to apply a telling touch.  Fleet responded with a low shot from Rooney that Mellor did well to push round his near post to safety.

Ebbsfleet were now enjoying the upper hand in terms of possession, but were failing to make inroads into the City rearguard.  Chas Hemmings shot wide of the target from 25 yards on 69 minutes and, slightly against the run of play, his side were back in front three minutes later.  Nick McCootie, who was a handful for the United defence throughout, showed great tenacity to beat Anthony Acheampong to a through ball down the left and squared his pass across the goalmouth, where Pratt slid home at the far post.

Thereafter, Ebbsfleet tried to find a way back into the game but, despite having the territorial advantage, they were unable to force Mellor into further serious action, and City held out for the three points without undue alarm.

After the struggles of recent weeks, this was a welcome victory for The Romans and, those in attendance were appreciative of their lively performance.  Lee Howells’ men will now look to take this improved form into Saturday’s final home game of the season against Sutton United.

Bath City: Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Andy Gallinagh, Phil Walsh, Dan Ball, Chas Hemmings, Ashley Kington, Naby Diallo, Dave Pratt, Nick McCootie (Andy Watkins 84), Frankie Artus. Subs not used: Ross Stearn, Dan Bowman, Chris Allen.

Ebbsfleet United: Preston Edwards, Kenny Clark (Alex Osborn 88), Aiden Palmer, Theo Lewis, Anthony Acheampong, Tom Bonner, Matt Godden (Sean Shields 88), Stuart Lewis, Tyrone Marsh, Adam Cunningham (Michael West 74), Luke Rooney. Subs not used: Matt Johnson, Jamie Turner.

Referee: Marvyn Amphlett (Kidderminster)

Attendance: 309

Great Review. Special mention to Ebbsfleet supporters who turned up in decent numbers for a Tuesday end of season game. They didn't think much of Tyrone Marsh's performance. Walshy marshalled him well.

It is a long way for Watkins to come for five minutes on the pitch.

Video of Pratt's first, the penalty, here

BenE wrote:Great Review. Special mention to Ebbsfleet supporters who turned up in decent numbers for a Tuesday end of season game. They didn't think much of Tyrone Marsh's performance. Walshy marshalled him well.

I thought Walsh was poor...........again