Bath City 2 – 1 Wealdstone
Bath City2 - 1
WealdstoneSomeone on the terrace raised a question during the first half – asking how many of the travelling Stones fans had ever seen a win or even a draw at Twerton Park, and unfortunately, the number (few) was not added to yesterday as the young Stones lost an entertaining match 2-1 to an experienced home side – A goalkeeper who had featured in the World Cup squad for South Africa as a pro, one of six players in the home side who have played in the Football league!
Bath certainly started brighter, but the first chance fell to Stones, Gooderick’s effort saved low down by Evans after six minutes and from then the game saw Bath hold the upper hand in possession, but the Stones defence held up well limiting the chances, as did the Bath defence when Stones broke forward, neither keeper having a great deal to do.
On 35 minutes, Gooderick stood his ground in front of a Bath Player taking a throw, only far another – Coupe – to push him to the ground, the Referee issuing a yellow card (despite what the laws say and the travelling Stones fans hoped) perhaps common sense coming into play for once? Five minutes later, Partridge broke through the Stones defence as a header skidded backwards and found himself one on one with Lee Carroll – Carroll’s challenge for the ball was made as the forward touched the ball past him, and outside the box, Carroll brought the forward to the ground. Again, not quite in tune with the laws (and the wishes of the home fans), the Referee issued only a yellow card (more common sense?) and the free kick was blocked.
The remaining minutes of the half saw Bath encamped around the Stones goal as they pressed forward for their traditional 43rd minute goal (check the history these matches), Stones defending well until an unnecessary free kick given away saw Holland rise highest to meet the cross and give the home side a slightly flattering half time lead on 45.
Keeping up the tempo, the second half started in similar vein to the first but with Stones pushing forward from the kick off, and they were rewarded when on 54 minutes, they won a corner, Montgomery’s cross headed home by Dean Papali for his 10th goal in 10 games, much to the delight of the Stones fans and players alike, and a deserved equaliser as Stones more than played their part in the match.
The goal seemed to spark the home side up a little and they should have taken the lead on 65 minutes when a break allowed Rogers a chance facing an open goal from six yards but he snatched at the ball and sent it high over the bar to suggestions from many that his career may be better served a couple of miles down the road at the rugby ground.
It was a warning of what was to come for Stones and 9 minutes later, Bath took the lead. Another freekick for the home side was flicked on towards the byline some six or eight yards wide of goal. Stones defence looking to shepherd the ball out of play only for Coupe to slide in from a wide position, his touch enough to knock the ball low across the six yard box where Partridge bundled the ball home.
Stones continued to battle for an equaliser but none was forthcoming despite the efforts of Gooderick and Papali, and perhaps Bath just shaded the match on the day, though Stones should not be dispirited by a good performance, both sides contributing to a decent match in a good atmosphere.
Wealdstone: Lee Carroll42, Jay Carbon s65 Stuart Goodall, Lee Chappell, Kevin Swift, Stuart Bamford, Michael Currie s76 Josh Cooper, John Christian, Chris O’Leary 71, Matt Gooderick, Dean Papali 55, Graeme Montgomery, Subs Not Used: Fergus Moore, Stanislav Rosboud,