Bath City 0 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 15/19/1739 - Saturday, 17th August 2019 - National League South

Bath City (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 832

Admission: Pass
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 326/1,141

I’ve always had Twerton Park as a tick on my Groundhopping map, believing that I made a visit when I was in my late teens, some 50 years ago. But as I surveyed this magnificent old ground I could not remember a thing, so I’m glad that I have made this visit because should Bath City gain the necessary planning permission this grand old place is about to be hauled into the 21st century and with it much of its character will disappear. The old sitting stand and the add-on to its right will make way for something modern, something functional. It is said that the area of Twerton is a deprived one and that the refurbishment of the football ground is a centrepiece for the revitalisation of the area. It is a shame, but it is a necessary evil of survival within non-league football.

Almost everything about Twerton Park takes you back to a time gone-by. The sweeping terrace that goes from one end along the long side to the other end with the length of the pitch covered. The main stand with its green corrugated iron is hardly a thing of beauty but still has its charm. And the floodlights, proper old pylons with the square tops housing the lamps, I refer to my description elsewhere, Floodlight Porn!

And there was a match in which Tonbridge battled hard to take home a much deserved point despite some bizarre refereeing decisions.

A hard won point against the overnight leaders, Bath City was well deserved. True enough, the Angels benefited from a missed penalty but one that was contentious to say the least.

Unfortunately, the numbering on the back of the Roman’s shirts was virtually impossible to distinguish so a lot of the references to the Bath side might be hit and miss!

On a warm afternoon, Steve McKimm rested Alex Bentley to the bench as he was carrying a knock with James Folkes restored to the starting 11.

Myles Roberts was brought into the action within the first minute diving low to his left to deny Ross Stearn.

The game settled down and it was into the 22nd minute before the next chance arrived with once again Roberts excelling.

Tonbridge ended the half on the front foot with D’Sean Theobalds firing over and Joe Turner missing narrowly right.

The second half started slowly with neither side registering a meaningful effort before the hour mark had elapsed.

On 63 minutes Bath’s Stearn struck a decent volley which Roberts saved comfortably.

Two minutes later, Tom Derry was sent clear, and although a long way from goal, was cynically taken out to earn the Bath player a yellow. But, in a clear case of mistaken identity, the perpetrator who was already on a booking, departed the scene and the card was shown elsewhere.

After 71 minutes, following a free kick into the box, Rhian Bray was adjudged to have manhandled an opponent leaving the referee pointing to the spot. Thankfully for the Angels, Tyler Harvey blazed high over the bar.

With ten minutes remaining Turner missed by inches and at the other end some desperate defending saw the Angels see the ball to safety.

At late penalty appeal was survived as the referee called time on a well drilled performance from the visitors.

Steve McKimm commented after the game: “Nil-Nil sounds boring but that was an exciting game. That had everything, there should have been a sending off, they got a penalty which shouldn’t have been, they didn’t get a penalty they should have. Bodies on the line, we gave everything.”