Staines Town (1)1 Bath City (1)1

Bath City’s season concluded with a draw against relegated Staines Town at sunbathed Wheatsheaf Park. It was a match that, for long periods, was a typical end of season affair, although either side could have found a winner during a largely forgettable second period.

City produced a lively opening spell during which they almost took the lead the lead on two occasions. Ashley Kington’s 6th minute free kick picked out Phil Walsh, whose header was pushed over the bar by home keeper Jack Turner. Three minutes later, Staines failed to clear another free kick into their box and Chris Allen’s delicate flick found Nick McCootie. The striker lifted his shot over Turner, but Tommy Brewer did well to head the ball to safety from under his own crossbar.

At this point the visitors were well on top, but they were rocked back on to their heals by a stunning goal from the hosts in the 10th minute. Elliot Buchanan skipped past Walsh’s challenge 30 yards from goal and, with seemingly nowhere to go, the forward unleashed a piledriver of a shot that flew over Jason Mellor and ripped into the roof of the net.

The effect of this setback on the City players was clear to see, and Staines suddenly found some forward momentum. Buchanan wasted a good opening by shooting wide from 6 yards after a cross from the left. However, the Somerset side had a presentable opportunity to restore parity on 15 minutes. Dave Pratt’s low cross from the right caused confusion between two defenders and the ball fell to McCootie, who ballooned his shot high over the bar from a useful position.

The hosts came close to increasing their advantage in the 19th minute when a ball in from the right heralded an almighty goalmouth scramble, and Buchanan’s eventual shot was cleared off the goal line by Sekani Simpson.

As the half hour mark approached, Kington twice tried his luck from 20 yards. His first effort was partially blocked by Brewer with the ball being comfortably collected by Turner, and his second rolled tamely wide of the target.

Staines had the ball in the net again on 35 minutes, but Jeremy Boakye’s looping header over Mellor was ruled out by an offside flag.

City were gradually coming back into the game, and Frankie Artus’ cross from the left was headed wide of the near post by McCootie. The visitors finally found an equaliser four minutes before the break, when Pratt forced his way into the left side of the home area beyond several challenges before poking the ball inside to Kington. The midfielder took advantage by sweeping his shot under Turner, and into the far corner of the net.

The final action of the half saw Prince M’Bengui’s low shot smothered by the diving Mellor.

During the half time interval, the crowd were treated to an energetic and skillful display by the Spelt-Horne Gymnastics Club that was destined to somewhat overshadow the final 45 minutes of the main event.

Ben Adelsbury replaced Artus ahead of the resumption, and City had the first chance to add to the scoreline on 52 minutes. Dan Bowman’s cross from the right was flicked on by Pratt’s header, but the ball dropped wide of the far post.

McCootie worked his way into the Staines box on the hour mark and pulled the ball back to Adelsbury, whose shot was saved by the diving Turner. Shortly afterwards, McCootie’s shot from 25 yards was wide of the target.

With City struggling to keep hold of the ball, The Swans were able to enjoy their best spell of the match, and they suddenly began to find holes in the City defence. Ashley Lodge broke clean through in the 65th minute, but with only Mellor to beat, he scuffed his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

Two minutes later, Max Worsfold delivered a low cross to the near post, but M’Bengui turned his shot over the bar from close range. Buchanan also tried his luck from distance, and Mellor could only parry the ball as is skipped awkwardly off the surface. The keeper was able to recover in time to prevent M’Bengui from taking full toll.

Andy Watkins replaced Naby Diallo on 71 minutes as Lee Howell’s men looked to find a winner, but it was Town who continued to pose the greater threat. Darren Purse, who had a dominant game at the back for the hosts, nodded over Mellor’s crossbar from a corner. Buchanan shot straight at Mellor when well placed, and then saw his angled volley drift wide of the far post.

Ross Stearn came on from McCootie with 5 minutes left on the clock, and City suddenly sprang back into life. Watkins drove into the right hand side of home area as full time approached and drilled a low ball across goal, where the unmarked Pratt side-footed home, only for his effort to be ruled out, quite correctly, for offside.

Kington shot from distance deep into stoppage time, but was denied by a good diving save from Turner.

The referee’s whistle finally brought the curtain down on a topsy-turvy campaign. From the sheer exuberance and exhilaration provided by the FA Trophy exploits, the utter despair and humiliation of the FA Cup defeat at East Thurrock, and the frustration caused by the inconsistencies of the league programme, this was a season that could never be described as drab. Indeed, all the above probably provides a neat summation of a Bath City follower’s lot, and is the very reason why they continue to be hooked. It is undoubtedly fitting, therefore, that the final game finished with honours even, and thoughts will now turn to infinitely more important off-field matters.

Staines Town: Jack Turner, Erivaldo Felix, Max Worsfold, Chace O'Neill, Tommy Brewer, Ashley Lodge, Jeremy Boakye, Elliott Buchanan, Prince M'Bengui, Joe Aribo (Nathaniel Mensah 67). Subs not used: Harry Churchill, Callum McAllister.

Bath City: Jason Mellor, Dan Bowman, Naby Diallo (Andy Watkins 71), Sekani Simpson, Phil Walsh, Dan Ball, Chris Allen, Frankie Artus (Ben Adelsbury 46), Dave Pratt, Nick McCootie (Ross Stearn 85), Ashley Kington. Subs not used: Jim Rollo, Andy Gallinagh.

Referee: Carl Brook (Hastings)

Attendance: 327

Another excellent summary, Kevin. I'm sure I speak for all forum members in thanking you for providing these reports of all the matches you attend - they're always a great read. I think it's to your credit that they don't read like a biased report written by a City diehard who only watches the game through rose tinted glasses. It's no surprise that links are provided on the forums of our opponents after we have played them with similar praise for them.

Have a great summer- do you write reports on Hampset matches?

comrade powell wrote:Have a great summer- do you write reports on Hampset matches?

He does but they are really really biased so no one will publish them.

I hear one of the Hampset teams are facing a young whipper snapper bowler next weekend. I'd like to read a report of that!

comrade powell wrote:Another excellent summary, Kevin. I'm sure I speak for all forum members in thanking you for providing these reports of all the matches you attend - they're always a great read. I think it's to your credit that they don't read like a biased report written by a City diehard who only watches the game through rose tinted glasses. It's no surprise that links are provided on the forums of our opponents after we have played them with similar praise for them.

Have a great summer- do you write reports on Hampset matches?

Martin.  Thanks for your kind words.

No (contrary to Yuffie's libellous comments), I do not write Hampset reports.  I have always managed to avoid it (and have never been asked), so I have a rest during the cricket season.

I hope you have a great summer too, and the same to all City supporters.  Let's hope that everything works out well down at Twerton over the next few months and that we have a really good 2015/16 season.

Jack Turner, who was very good in both games against Bath and seemed a decent bloke as well, picked up both the players and supporters player of the year after the match.