After Saturday's disappointing exit from the FA Cup against Salisbury City the players of Bath City bounced back in some style with a 4-2 win at Farnborough Town on Tuesday night.
From all accounts it was City's best performance of the season and confirms that we have the quality and can summon the spirit when needed.
Will the team again be set up with attacking intent for this coming Saturday's home league game against Havant And Waterlooville? The smart money is on a return to a more traditional centre back pairing and no repeat of the Pratt, Stearn, Watkins trio heralded before the start of the season.
I hope it us repeated as I plan to make the journey home to see the team for the second successive Saturday.
Whilst I felt that the defeat by Salisbury was a let down - I hoped for a barnstorming Cup tie- the 1000 plus crowd was encouraging.
We do really have something to build on if the Club's supporters can be part of a Club revival.
There is a lot of talent and masses of energy which could surely help us achieve a Club once again rooted in the community.
I apologise that this weeks blog is a little late and shorter than normal. I was fortunate to be able to spend a few days in Berlin to get over the Cup defeat.
I also listened to snatches of the win over Farnborough on City radio though the breaks in transmission made Bob Chester sound a little like Norman Collier! It is brilliant to get news of City games when abroad so I am definitely not complaining.
See you this coming Saturday!
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Wednesday 23 October 2013
A POINT GAINED?
When you are 2 nil down to a side just above you in the table and have only won once in the last 8 games and lie just outside the relegation places , there is no doubt that it is a point gained when you fight back for a 2-2 draw. But City were fancied to do better than this and almost a quarter of the way through the season and half way through the 3 year plan to make real progress, it doesn't feel that good to me. Add to it that we would have expected to beat a struggling Whitehawk side (though travelling support said they were an OK team) and it was hard to celebrate much on Saturday evening.
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
City's brilliant travelling support certainly deserved it for travelling so far and making so much noise in a sparse crowd and it was great to see the celebrations on film after Chris Allen's penalty equaliser.
The truth is that we are under performing and it doesn't feel like a Club that's starting to go places. Far from it. In fact it feels to me like a Club in decline.
The only bright spot so far this season has been the FA Cup and we have a real chance to forget poor league form this Saturday against Salisbury City.
The good news is that Andy Watkins came on for 20 minutes last Saturday and showed us what we are missing....a lively front outlet. Might he start for the full 90 minutes this Saturday?
We also missed Adam Connolly and Aaron Brown and with Ben Addlesbury also out the weakness of the squad began to show.....and that probably strengthens the argument that it was a good result in Brighton.
City's game against Salisbury is the start of a hectic November for the team with a league game against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday 2nd November swiftly followed by a Somerset Cup home game against Larkhall Athletic on Monday 4th November.
I am really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully we can get a 4 figure crowd and make some real noise to unsettle the visitors and with a little bit of luck we could have a few smiling faces on Saturday evening for a change.
See you there!
Wednesday 16 October 2013
CUP SUCCESS BRINGS TEMPORARY RESPITE
They did it!
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
City's players stormed to a comfortable win over Bridgwater Town in the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round last Saturday. It was really all over after half an hour as the team showed its mettle and its ability against a Bridgwater side that never got going. Chris Allen made a welcome return to form and Ross Stearn added some attacking flare.
For a Club desperately in need of cash the £7,500 is a lifeline but the draw offers us the chance of real glory and financial reward in future rounds if we can get past Salisbury City on Saturday 26th October at May day Trust Park. They have had the better of us over the last 10 years so we are due a win. They are doing very well in the Skrill Premier but if we can get Andy Watkins back and fit that will surely improve our chances.
The support at Bridgwater was brilliant! I am sure we'll give Salisbury a noisy reception when they come to town.
Despite our current troubles it is City's tremendous core support that gives me hope for the future of our Club.
And the community Club back on the agenda. Discussions have resumed and a meeting between the Club and the Society (Club's largest single shareholder) was scheduled for last Sunday though sadly it was cancelled at short notice (a not unusual occurrence at City!!) There appears to be a willngness to discuss it though.
If anybody needed convincing about the merits of a community Club, look no further than just across the Bridge at Cardiff City. Mr Tan has brought the money in and fans have got what they wanted.....success on the field.....but they have lost their Club to a control freak who doesn't seem to understand the game or its traditions.
Last minute domestics meant I couldn't get to Bridgwater. I plan to be there to see us get that win over Salisbury and then Havant on 2nd November. But I listened to the Bridgwater game on the radio. There were great contributions from Andrew Kerlake, Quentin Edwards, Bob Chester and Richard Burgess. It was really entertaining and professional and delivered in adversity. There was no power so they had to rely on lap top batteries. Keep up the great work chaps.
Looking forward to this coming Saturday City travel to Brighton to play League newcomers Whitehawk. They were Champions of the Ryman League Premier last season. In Brighton they play at the interestingly named the 'Enclosed ground'. Their website shows that they do not yet have the infrastructure of a senior non league team but thats the beauty of pyramid. Clubs can progress rapidly up the Leagues.
I remember many great days out in Brighton. For City fans who don't know it and who are travelling the dodgems on the peer are a must and a walk around the 'Lanes' takes you to the best places to eat and drink. My favourite pub, the Lord Nelson serves Harveys near the station.
With Whitehawk just above us, we really need to carry the effort at Bridgwater into the league. For me one game doesn't mask the underlying problems at the Club. That still needs a solution and for me and many City fans it can't come soon enough.
Wednesday 9 October 2013
GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION
3 straight League defeats and no goals makes terrible reading for fans of Bath City Football Club. We now lie in 18th place in the table. The early season optimism has most definitely evaporated and fears of another 'non-event' season grow.
Why is it so bad?
Many people blame Adie Britton and Archie Howells and some blame some of the players. We have a talented group of footballers so why we can't get results must be down to the way the team is set up and the mindset of the players. It is the latter that has attracted attention recently. Aaron Brown trudged quietly off the pitch after seeing red at Chelmsford and there were no protests from City players or the bench! Ross Stearn appears unhappy with the management by all accounts.Is it therefore a happy and unified squad? Certainly there were rumours of disquiet over contracts and pay and an unhappy dressing room. Some will say this is normal at Clubs but isn't this unusual at City?
I have said before that the current leadership of Bath City Football Club is not pulling the Club together. When all is not well off the pitch then it surely affects the feel of the team on it.A unified Club definitely transmits to the management and the players in a positive way.
Many people are now calling for change. Only the Board can do that and its up to them. They are also Bath City fans and want the best for the Club.After 2 difficult years I wonder how long things will be allowed to deteriorate before action is taken.
October can often be a difficult month in the finances of a non league football Club.
We know that Bath City FC is struggling when it comes to the money but this month will challenge the Club's coffers even more. Whilst the FA Cup can be the financial saviour it can also hit cashflow. The next scheduled home game for City is Saturday 2nd November against Havant and Waterlooville. City's progress to the third Qualifying round of the Cup meant that the home game against Sutton on 12th October has been postponed. There will be a share of the gate money at Bridgwater but won't that at best cover expenses?
We'll all be hoping for a City win and then a home draw on 26th October!
I don't know much about Bridgwater. When I was a lad it was famous for its carnival and I might have even been once. Now its somewhere you pass on the M5. It's close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, soon to be re-constructed by a French power Company but that's about it really.
They were always in the Western League but with the expansion of the pyramid have now become a force to be reckoned with in the lower reaches of the Southern League. I am always nervous about playing teams who are unbeaten and as gloom mongers in the social media have pointed out, City's Cup history is littered with failures against such teams. It is not going to be easy. The current City side likes to pass the ball. Do we have the players for a Cup scrap? We'll know by 4.50 p.m. this coming Saturday.
One things for sure, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the likes of Chris Holland, Matt Coupe, Jon Holloway, Darren Edwards and Lewis Hogg in the team for a game like this, but City showed battling qualities against Gosport and I believe we can do it again this coming Saturday.
We certainly have to do better than at Chelmsford last week. For what it's worth I think City's players will raise it this Saturday but my fear is that the Club's problems run deep and we won't go forward again until fundamental change is made.
Why is it so bad?
Many people blame Adie Britton and Archie Howells and some blame some of the players. We have a talented group of footballers so why we can't get results must be down to the way the team is set up and the mindset of the players. It is the latter that has attracted attention recently. Aaron Brown trudged quietly off the pitch after seeing red at Chelmsford and there were no protests from City players or the bench! Ross Stearn appears unhappy with the management by all accounts.Is it therefore a happy and unified squad? Certainly there were rumours of disquiet over contracts and pay and an unhappy dressing room. Some will say this is normal at Clubs but isn't this unusual at City?
I have said before that the current leadership of Bath City Football Club is not pulling the Club together. When all is not well off the pitch then it surely affects the feel of the team on it.A unified Club definitely transmits to the management and the players in a positive way.
Many people are now calling for change. Only the Board can do that and its up to them. They are also Bath City fans and want the best for the Club.After 2 difficult years I wonder how long things will be allowed to deteriorate before action is taken.
October can often be a difficult month in the finances of a non league football Club.
We know that Bath City FC is struggling when it comes to the money but this month will challenge the Club's coffers even more. Whilst the FA Cup can be the financial saviour it can also hit cashflow. The next scheduled home game for City is Saturday 2nd November against Havant and Waterlooville. City's progress to the third Qualifying round of the Cup meant that the home game against Sutton on 12th October has been postponed. There will be a share of the gate money at Bridgwater but won't that at best cover expenses?
We'll all be hoping for a City win and then a home draw on 26th October!
I don't know much about Bridgwater. When I was a lad it was famous for its carnival and I might have even been once. Now its somewhere you pass on the M5. It's close to Hinkley Point nuclear power station, soon to be re-constructed by a French power Company but that's about it really.
They were always in the Western League but with the expansion of the pyramid have now become a force to be reckoned with in the lower reaches of the Southern League. I am always nervous about playing teams who are unbeaten and as gloom mongers in the social media have pointed out, City's Cup history is littered with failures against such teams. It is not going to be easy. The current City side likes to pass the ball. Do we have the players for a Cup scrap? We'll know by 4.50 p.m. this coming Saturday.
One things for sure, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with the likes of Chris Holland, Matt Coupe, Jon Holloway, Darren Edwards and Lewis Hogg in the team for a game like this, but City showed battling qualities against Gosport and I believe we can do it again this coming Saturday.
We certainly have to do better than at Chelmsford last week. For what it's worth I think City's players will raise it this Saturday but my fear is that the Club's problems run deep and we won't go forward again until fundamental change is made.
Wednesday 2 October 2013
CUP PROGRESS WELCOME
City's players responded to the mini slump admirably by comfortably beating a poor Gosport Borough side 2-0 in the FA Cup qualifying round 2 last Saturday.
A goal from Dave Pratt in the first half and talented Ross Stearn's deft chip late in the second secured a 3rd Qualifying round game against Bridgwater Town away on Saturday 12th October. It will be a difficult tie for City but at least it is local and a win will take us closer to the prize......a live TV game against attractive Skrill Premier or League opposition. There will surely be a large contingent of City fans there to back the team.
It is a shame that the FA Cup has become one of the only ways a non league Club can keep its head above water financially. I remember when it was the sporting glory that mattered and the money was a bonus.
City's game against Gosport was a case in point with the post match headlines stolen by the £4,500 prize money.
The bigger headline for me and many City fans is the disappearing support for our beloved Club. Only 441 turned up to watch last Saturday even with the incentive of reduced prices (£10 instead of the usual £12). This compared to 560 who watched the equivalent game last year.
Where have the 120 gone?
I have written before about the number of people I used to watch City with who no longer attend for various reasons but a lot is to do with the way the Club is being led. If only we could recapture that spirit of unity that propelled us to the Southern League Championship, some great FA Cup runs and the heady heights of the Conference Premier. Until we have a leader who is able to harness the energy and goodwill of supporters it is hard to see this changing.
My support for the Club goes back a long way and I intend to keep backing the team even though I am deeply unhappy with the Club itself. I plan to be at Bridgwater on 12th October in the hope that City's players can show the renewed spirit and determination they showed against Gosport.
Before that City face a Chelmsford City side who are struggling. One of the premium teams at our level for many years, their current slump is a mystery. Our rivalry goes back a long way. I can remember going to their cavernous Writtle Street ground to see City on many occasions and more recently enjoyed City's second leg semi final win at Chelmsford's new ground. What a day that was!
It's days like that that supporters live for and whatever happens in the near future, I am sure that over time we fans can rebuild the Club into a truly united and community based force.
A goal from Dave Pratt in the first half and talented Ross Stearn's deft chip late in the second secured a 3rd Qualifying round game against Bridgwater Town away on Saturday 12th October. It will be a difficult tie for City but at least it is local and a win will take us closer to the prize......a live TV game against attractive Skrill Premier or League opposition. There will surely be a large contingent of City fans there to back the team.
It is a shame that the FA Cup has become one of the only ways a non league Club can keep its head above water financially. I remember when it was the sporting glory that mattered and the money was a bonus.
City's game against Gosport was a case in point with the post match headlines stolen by the £4,500 prize money.
The bigger headline for me and many City fans is the disappearing support for our beloved Club. Only 441 turned up to watch last Saturday even with the incentive of reduced prices (£10 instead of the usual £12). This compared to 560 who watched the equivalent game last year.
Where have the 120 gone?
I have written before about the number of people I used to watch City with who no longer attend for various reasons but a lot is to do with the way the Club is being led. If only we could recapture that spirit of unity that propelled us to the Southern League Championship, some great FA Cup runs and the heady heights of the Conference Premier. Until we have a leader who is able to harness the energy and goodwill of supporters it is hard to see this changing.
My support for the Club goes back a long way and I intend to keep backing the team even though I am deeply unhappy with the Club itself. I plan to be at Bridgwater on 12th October in the hope that City's players can show the renewed spirit and determination they showed against Gosport.
Before that City face a Chelmsford City side who are struggling. One of the premium teams at our level for many years, their current slump is a mystery. Our rivalry goes back a long way. I can remember going to their cavernous Writtle Street ground to see City on many occasions and more recently enjoyed City's second leg semi final win at Chelmsford's new ground. What a day that was!
It's days like that that supporters live for and whatever happens in the near future, I am sure that over time we fans can rebuild the Club into a truly united and community based force.
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