Bath City 1 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 101/23/2224 - Saturday, 6th April 2024 - National League South

Bath City (1) 1 Cooke (pen) 10
Tonbridge Angels (1) 1 Sutcliffe 40
Attendance: 1,358
Admission: £13
Mileage: 256/7,272

A collective cheer, whether that be in relief or joy, came from the gathered Angels faithful as Bath City’s leading goalscorer, Cody Cooke dragged his spot kick wide of the left hand post with five minutes remaining to preserve a point that would have been unjustly stolen from the visitors.

Tonbridge Angels had produced an energetic performance against their play-off contending hosts with a team that saw Mo Dabre playing as the central striker in place of Nathan Odokonyero, whose season has been ended by a hand injury sustained against Hampton and Richmond that, this week, has required surgery. Club captain Scott Wagstaff also remained on the sidelines through illness.

The first half was played in the tail-end of Storm Kathleen that suited the Angels football played on the ground rather than the aerial route taken by the hosts. But it was the Angels that suffered an early set back when a free kick played into the box brought about a scramble that ultimately saw Jordan Dyer go down leading to referee, Tommy Breen, pointing immediately to the spot.

Cooke stroked the ball into the net sending Jonny Henly the wrong way to give the Romans a 10th minute lead.

Rather than being disheartened by the goal, the Angels took the game to their hosts with a cross from Matty Macarthur that narrowly eluded Jernade Meade and a 20th minute effort from Meade that brought a good, low save from Will Buse.

Dabre was running on the highest quality Duracells and running the home defence ragged that brought a succession of corners the seventh of which, on 40 minutes, saw Sean Shields cross met with a powerful header from Ethan Sutciffe.

Tonbridge continued to dominate the possession and might have gone into the break in front when Jamie Fielding’s cross was plucked out of the air by Buse.

The second half saw Bath, having rang the changes (a luxury that the Angels could barely afford with a threadbare bench in terms of senior players), pose more of a threat but efforts from Dan Hayfield and Scott Wilson brought routine saves from Henly.

On 67 minutes a cross from Tariq Hinds narrowly eluded by Dabre and Lewis Gard followed by efforts from Shields and Dabre that cleared the bar.

Five minutes remained when heartbreak stared Tonbridge in the face as Fielding was harshly judged to have handled the ball as a shot was struck goalwards. But justice was served as Cooke struck his penalty well wide.

In a message to the travelling support, Jay Saunders said: “Thank you all for your amazing support this afternoon. The players really appreciated your singing and noise which no doubt motivated them to run that extra yard. The result was the least we felt we deserved and we’ll continue to work hard for these last 2 games.”

Bath City 0 Tonbridge Angels 1

Match 79/22/2086 - Saturday, 25th February 2023 - National League South

Bath City (0) 0
Tonbridge Angels (0) 1 Jack Wood 88
Attendance: 1,263

Admission: Pass
Programme: £3
Mileage: 335/5,565

Whoever would have thought that out of the disappointment of Monday evening at Chelmsford, this week would have ended as potentially a significant one, culminating with a late winner against Bath City to record a first victory against the home side at Twerton Park since 1958.

Jay Saunders seemingly has a knack of breathing new life into the season when, perhaps, supporters had felt that a good season might slip quietly away.

On Thursday, those supporters hopes were lifted with the news that Tommy Wood was to return to Tonbridge Angels from Hampton & Richmond Borough. It was a bitter disappointment when Wood decided to seek pastures new at the end of last season, seemingly a purely logistical decision based on his work commitments. But, when he became available, Saunders beat off other clubs seeking his signature and Wood was glad to return home.

Wood took his place on the bench with two other new signings in the starting XI. In goal, with Jonny Henly unavailable, George Bentley, late of Faversham Town, stepped into the breach whilst Marcel Elva-Fountaine, on a month’s loan from Aldershot Town replaced the injured Craig Braham-Barrett.

It’s a long way down to Bath, but a reasonably trouble-free journey saw arrival in good time. Twerton Park is a grand old ground, with a wonderful covered terrace the length of the ground opposite the main stand which is strangely set back. Both ends have no cover with the Bristol End having, by non-league standards, a large terrace. Sadly, there is a fine line between a ground that has character and one that is close to being derelict. Whilst Twerton is in need of some tender, loving care, it does still fall into the character side of the line, Welling being the example of a ground falling the wrong side of the line.

On a difficult pitch, they game was destined not to reach the heights in terms of quality, but the throng of around 60 Angels fans were not to worry too greatly about that at the final whistle.

News of Henly’s absence had been kept under wraps and with memories of his last absence, at Taunton, remaining in supporters minds, an early comfortable collection of a cross by Bentley was greeted with some relief.

In the opening half-hour, Bentley was only once called into serious action, saving from Tom Smith whilst Angels had chances on seven minutes when Tariq Hinds' shot was saved and on 15 and 17 minutes when crosses from Lewis Gard begged a touch in front of goal.

Gard was to play no further part after 34 minutes when, feeling unwell, he was surprisingly replaced by Tommy Wood, when a midfield replacement in Tommie Fagg was on the bench.

The home side’s best chance of the first half came in the final minute when Kieran Parcelle shot wide following a corner.

The second half was hard work for both sides with chances thin on the ground. After 62 minutes, Bath’s Dan Hayfield saw his effort come back off a post and for the Angels, Wood fell agonisingly close to getting on the end of Jordan Greenidge’s cross.

With five minutes remaining, Saunders rolled the dice for the Angels with a double substitution full of attacking intent with Fagg and Jack Wood entering the action. On 85 minutes, heroic defending was needed to deny Hayfield before, on 88 minutes, Jack Wood received the ball some 25 yards from goal, skipped a couple of challenges before firing in a shot from 20 yards across face of the goal to nestle into the bottom corner.

It was a wonderful leaving present from Jack Wood, whose loan spell from Southend expired after this game.

So it was, brave substitutions, a superb winning goal and stout defending brought a result that renews the hope of an end-of-season place in the play-offs.

Bath City 1 Tonbridge Angels 0

Match 132/21/1996 - Saturday, 30th April 2022 - National League South

Bath City (1) 1 Fletcher 7
Tonbridge Angels (0) 0
Attendance: 1,085
Admission: £12
Programme: Not purchased
Mileage: 300/7,784

Suddenly, I am desperate for this season to end.

In the main, my footballing life surrounds Tonbridge Angels and, whilst relegation seems an impossible nightmare, the winning of just a single point is becoming a torturous task.

Steve McKimm is being forced to put out patched up teams with square pegs in round holes and the subsequent level of performance has become a hard watch.

To travel just to Tonbridge and watch such a lack of quality with so little created in the way of chances and when that single opportunity arrives it is wasted is bad enough but when that journey has been a 300 mile round trip, it is difficult to justify it to even yourself.

The day started badly and got progressively worse. The whole plan surrounding a coach journey to Bath was based around meeting an old friend that I hadn’t seen for seven years and enjoying a beer or two. The coach hadn’t left Tonbridge when I received a text to say that he had tested positive for Covid and wouldn’t be coming.

Twerton Park is an old ground with plenty of character but, my god, is in dire need of some TLC. Plans to redevelop in what is an area in serious need of regeneration seem to have fallen by the wayside and the choice must surely have to be made, spend some money on it or it is going to crumble under your feet.

The beer I promised myself was disappointing and the surroundings in which it was drunk were in keeping with the whole place.

The square pegs in round holes included Tom Beere at right wing back which could only have been a needs must choice.

The game itself barely needs any description. Tonbridge fell behind to an early goal when Bath’s Tom Smith played an exquisite pass to send Alex Fletcher clear to shoot into the bottom corner. To wear the ginger mullet, Smith needs to be a decent player and in a dreadful game with two really poor sides, he was head and mullet above anyone else.

From that point, Tonbridge huffed and puffed, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession but did nothing of note with it. Bath goalkeeper, Ryan Clarke, was called on to make a regulation save from James Taylor whilst, on 27 minutes, Smith replayed his assist to Fletcher but this time Henly is equal to the shot.

Henly did well to save a shot from Cody Cooke and smothering the rebound and, on 64 minutes, Taylor had the Angels’ best chance thus far with Clarke saving very well.

On 72 minutes, Tonbridge’s golden chance came and sadly went. A corner was played short to Taylor who sent in a cross that found substitute Ibrahim Olutade in front of goal, but his diving header was steered well, well wide and hearts sank that this wasn’t to be our day.

Luca Woodhouse was introduced with five minutes to go for his National South debut, but it is a lot to ask of an 18-year-old to rescue a point although he did have a shot that only found the side netting.

Wins for both Billericay and Welling maintains the anxiety despite the substantial goal difference in favour of Tonbridge and did nothing to dispel the gloom of the long journey home.

Please let Bank Holiday Monday put an end to this. I don’t care whether it is by our own volition or otherwise, then we can go to St Albans next Saturday thankful that this season is at its end.

Action Photos: Ian Clear

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.”