I am sure that on my 2 previous visits to Priory Lane, Eastbourne Borough played the famous songs 'Sussex by the Sea' and 'Oh I do Like to be beside the Seaside' to herald the teams coming on to the pitch. Well for City last Saturday the lyrics of the song did not ring true at all. Once again a 90th minute killer goal lost us the match. For the first time in 2014 defensive frailties re-surfaced. We dominated the last 20 minutes with the howling gale at our backs and there appeared to be only one winner but poor defending cost us.
The big problem now is morale. 6 games without a win and the long coach home must have been wondering what we do next.
Lee Howells had said there were some tired legs and he wanted to make changes so Ross Stearn and dave Pratt were rested but new boy Scott Wilson never got a chance even from the bench.
Steve Skinner pointed out on the Fan's Forum that we don't have a leader on the pitch. What wouldn't we give now for an Adie Harris, Jon Holloway or Matt Coupe! The only leader we have in the squad is Jim Rollo. Putting that right has to be a priority for new signings. Speaking to Martin Brush(Bas), his view is that we could have won all of the last 6 games. A good leader on the pitch might have tipped the balance our way in my view.
It was good to hear than Dan Ball was making a speedy recovery. He will strengthen the squad for the run in.
We need a win from somewhere and we now have 2 home games in a row to try and get it.
This coming Saturday will be a real tester with fellow contenders play-off Bishops Stortford visiting May Day Trust Park. With only 4 wins out of 12 home games so far this season surely this Saturday will see City's faithful home fans get the win they deserve. Whilst the games have been entertaining and competitive all of us want to see some wins. We want to finish as high as we can and only wins and points will ensure that.
Get along this Saturday if you can. The team need a lift and City's fans can help.
Sandwiched between the home games is an away trip to Woking to play Hayes on Tuesday night.
I couldn't end this week without reference to Yeovil's last gasp 3-2 defeat at Derby last night. I rarely go to Pride Park (now the IPRO stadium) but was invited last night. I shocked my hosts by turning down the invitation on the grounds that I 'disliked' Yeovil. They couldn't understand this so I explained that we had over 100 years of fierce Somerset local rivalry so I couldn't stomach seeing them run out in front of 25000 people in the Championship. A t home in front of the TV last night I did keep an eye on the score and saw that Yeovil were 2 up at half time. Fortunately 2 goals in the last 5 minutes turned it around. Old 'rivalries ' run deep so I was delighted to see Yeovil drop to the bottom of the league as a result.
I still hope that we'll play them again but maybe only briefly on our way up the pyramid passing them on their way down!
I can dream!
Wednesday 29 January 2014
Wednesday 22 January 2014
FRUSTRATING TIMES
Last night's draw at Tonbridge means that City have only won once in 7 games. It is a very frustrating time and I can imagine the atmosphere on the team and supporters coaches on the long journey back last night. We seemed to dominate again and create chances but not really test the keeper.
It is beginning to look like a weakness up front. We have not scored enough. This is less a reflection on the two front men who work very hard but haven't had the breaks. I agree with Martin Powell that sometimes you need another option. 2 strikers isn't enough. I still believe fortunes will change for Andy Watkins. he is too good a player for it not to.
For me last night might have been the time to throw Nat Jarvis on and go for broke but he wasn't on the bench.
Amazingly despite the barren spell we are still within touching distance of a play off place. A couple of wins would see us into the top 5.
It has been very quiet off the pitch since Paul Williams took over as Chairman just before Christmas. Since the AGM there has been very little in terms of public announcements on where the Club is going. This is not surprising. Inevitably Paul and the Board have had to draw breath and take a view on priorities.
What I do know is that there are a number of positive initiatives and developments under discussion and supporters groups are much more fully involved. I am a Foundation Trustee and a Supporters Society Committee member and whilst I cannot give away any detail here I do know that people are fully engaged and hopefully positive announcements will follow.
Last Saturday the team were extremely unlucky not to take something from League leaders Bromley. Two goal line clearances and a missed penalty did for us. As Paul Hill said, fine margins indeed. What was clear is that to win the league you have to be solid, physical and clinical. Bromley took their chances and shut up shop. I remember City's successful teams always had an element of this. We all like to think that flair and skill wins trophies but sadly that isn't enough.
What was really encouraging was the crowd of 755. Although there was a good away following is this early evidence that some of the lost hundreds are coming back?
Once again the pitch held up in the face of more bad weather and we are very lucky to have football whilst other Clubs sit Saturdays out.
This coming Saturday City travel to Eastbourne to take on Borough. They are playing well and are themselves in playoff contention. It will be tough but surely this is the day we turn our season around and confirm ourselves as playoff contenders?
It is beginning to look like a weakness up front. We have not scored enough. This is less a reflection on the two front men who work very hard but haven't had the breaks. I agree with Martin Powell that sometimes you need another option. 2 strikers isn't enough. I still believe fortunes will change for Andy Watkins. he is too good a player for it not to.
For me last night might have been the time to throw Nat Jarvis on and go for broke but he wasn't on the bench.
Amazingly despite the barren spell we are still within touching distance of a play off place. A couple of wins would see us into the top 5.
It has been very quiet off the pitch since Paul Williams took over as Chairman just before Christmas. Since the AGM there has been very little in terms of public announcements on where the Club is going. This is not surprising. Inevitably Paul and the Board have had to draw breath and take a view on priorities.
What I do know is that there are a number of positive initiatives and developments under discussion and supporters groups are much more fully involved. I am a Foundation Trustee and a Supporters Society Committee member and whilst I cannot give away any detail here I do know that people are fully engaged and hopefully positive announcements will follow.
Last Saturday the team were extremely unlucky not to take something from League leaders Bromley. Two goal line clearances and a missed penalty did for us. As Paul Hill said, fine margins indeed. What was clear is that to win the league you have to be solid, physical and clinical. Bromley took their chances and shut up shop. I remember City's successful teams always had an element of this. We all like to think that flair and skill wins trophies but sadly that isn't enough.
What was really encouraging was the crowd of 755. Although there was a good away following is this early evidence that some of the lost hundreds are coming back?
Once again the pitch held up in the face of more bad weather and we are very lucky to have football whilst other Clubs sit Saturdays out.
This coming Saturday City travel to Eastbourne to take on Borough. They are playing well and are themselves in playoff contention. It will be tough but surely this is the day we turn our season around and confirm ourselves as playoff contenders?
Wednesday 15 January 2014
A POINT GAINED: STILL THERE OR THEREABOUTS
I listened to last Saturday's game at Basingstoke on Bath City Internet radio and once again Andrew Kerslake and Bob Chester did a great job describing the match. I have even started to laugh at Andrew's jokes!
When Andy Watkins hit the bar again and City didn't score following a good period of pressure it was hard not to feel frustrated but when City survived a few late scares it became clear that it was probably a point gained rather than 2 lost. Certainly that seemed to be the view of those who were there.
It was also a clean sheet achieved without 2 of our better defensive players (Ball and Preece).
Jason Mellor kept City in the game in the latter stages.
We are now difficult to beat. That's official with just one reverse in 12 games.
We are there or thereabouts in 7th place just 2 points off the top 5 but we have used up our games in hand.
At the half way point in the season we are well placed.
However, if we are to contend for a play off place we have to start winning.
My heart sank when arguably our most creative player and top scorer, Ross Stearn was stretchered off in the first half. If we are going to start gathering more 3 point hauls we certainly need him. I used social media to contact him and find out how he was. He said that it was a bad cut and as long as the stitches did their job he hoped to be available for the coming home game against league leaders Bromley. (This coming Saturday, 18th January, 3 pm May Day Trust Park)
Indeed it is a real test this Saturday but I fancy City to really go for it and get a famous win. Our home form is not great with only 4 wins from 11 but we are better than that and we can show it this weekend. Bromley have only lost 3 games and must be due a dip in form? Indeed they suffered an unexpected reverse at home to Concord last night!
I know that a bigger than usual crowd and a noisy Legion will help the cause.
City then head off into deepest Kent next Tuesday night to face a Tonbridge Angels side struggling towards the bottom of the division. It is certainly a game that City would hope to win.
For those who can't get to games or who like to watch footage of matches they have attended the redoubtable Bas now has access to a great many full match DVDs from the past 2 seasons. Just pop along and see him in his shed on match days. All funds will go to the Supporters Club.
When Andy Watkins hit the bar again and City didn't score following a good period of pressure it was hard not to feel frustrated but when City survived a few late scares it became clear that it was probably a point gained rather than 2 lost. Certainly that seemed to be the view of those who were there.
It was also a clean sheet achieved without 2 of our better defensive players (Ball and Preece).
Jason Mellor kept City in the game in the latter stages.
We are now difficult to beat. That's official with just one reverse in 12 games.
We are there or thereabouts in 7th place just 2 points off the top 5 but we have used up our games in hand.
At the half way point in the season we are well placed.
However, if we are to contend for a play off place we have to start winning.
My heart sank when arguably our most creative player and top scorer, Ross Stearn was stretchered off in the first half. If we are going to start gathering more 3 point hauls we certainly need him. I used social media to contact him and find out how he was. He said that it was a bad cut and as long as the stitches did their job he hoped to be available for the coming home game against league leaders Bromley. (This coming Saturday, 18th January, 3 pm May Day Trust Park)
Indeed it is a real test this Saturday but I fancy City to really go for it and get a famous win. Our home form is not great with only 4 wins from 11 but we are better than that and we can show it this weekend. Bromley have only lost 3 games and must be due a dip in form? Indeed they suffered an unexpected reverse at home to Concord last night!
I know that a bigger than usual crowd and a noisy Legion will help the cause.
City then head off into deepest Kent next Tuesday night to face a Tonbridge Angels side struggling towards the bottom of the division. It is certainly a game that City would hope to win.
For those who can't get to games or who like to watch footage of matches they have attended the redoubtable Bas now has access to a great many full match DVDs from the past 2 seasons. Just pop along and see him in his shed on match days. All funds will go to the Supporters Club.
Tuesday 7 January 2014
CITY CONCEDE LATE AGAIN BUT STILL IN CONTENTION
Everyone felt the frustration of another late equaliser conceded at home last Saturday. City had dominated the second half and looked to have secured the 3 points with Dave Pratt's 80th minute goal but the curse of injury time and that 'dead ball' struck again. It has happened three times at home this season to Tonbridge, Boreham Wood and now Staines. Might it cost us a play off place come May?
I remain positive about our prospects. One defeat in 11 games is an amazingly good run and when the luck turns (not least for Andy 'woodwork' Watkins) then surely we will push firmly into that top 5.
The game was only made possible because of the Board's investment in the playing surface over the past few years and the efforts of an intrepid few with forks once the rain had stopped on Saturday morning. We were one of only 2 games in our league to survive the deluge and fared better than a number of 'illustrious' league neighbours - Yeovil for example couldn't get a game on!
The big talking point was the absence of Ross Stearn from the starting line up. The post match interviews were silent on it. We can only speculate.
The managers appeared to keep faith with those who had played well (but lost) at Eastleigh. And in fairness it almost worked.
If he is fit surely Stearn will start with Watkins and Pratt this coming Saturday?
The games now come thick and fast with 7 in February and another 7 in March.This will test City's small squad.
This coming Saturday sees the relatively short trip to Basingstoke. It is a winnable fixture but difficult as they lie in the top half of the table. The weather appears to improve towards the end of the week so hopefully the 'forkers' of Basingstoke can do their stuff.
I am looking forward to the big game at Mayday Trust Park on Saturday 18th January against leaders and Champions elect Bromley. We can really see how far we have come against the team that is well clear at the top.
Other fixture news, with dates for your diary include away at Hayes (Woking) on 4th February, at Weston Super Mare on 18th February (this is during half term so I hope to get along) and Ebbsfleet at home on Tuesday 4th March.
Off the field fundraising discussions are stirring as all parts of the Club begin to work together again. I'll try and write about this when I know more but suffice is it to say its great to see supporters fully engaged again!
I remain positive about our prospects. One defeat in 11 games is an amazingly good run and when the luck turns (not least for Andy 'woodwork' Watkins) then surely we will push firmly into that top 5.
The game was only made possible because of the Board's investment in the playing surface over the past few years and the efforts of an intrepid few with forks once the rain had stopped on Saturday morning. We were one of only 2 games in our league to survive the deluge and fared better than a number of 'illustrious' league neighbours - Yeovil for example couldn't get a game on!
The big talking point was the absence of Ross Stearn from the starting line up. The post match interviews were silent on it. We can only speculate.
The managers appeared to keep faith with those who had played well (but lost) at Eastleigh. And in fairness it almost worked.
If he is fit surely Stearn will start with Watkins and Pratt this coming Saturday?
The games now come thick and fast with 7 in February and another 7 in March.This will test City's small squad.
This coming Saturday sees the relatively short trip to Basingstoke. It is a winnable fixture but difficult as they lie in the top half of the table. The weather appears to improve towards the end of the week so hopefully the 'forkers' of Basingstoke can do their stuff.
I am looking forward to the big game at Mayday Trust Park on Saturday 18th January against leaders and Champions elect Bromley. We can really see how far we have come against the team that is well clear at the top.
Other fixture news, with dates for your diary include away at Hayes (Woking) on 4th February, at Weston Super Mare on 18th February (this is during half term so I hope to get along) and Ebbsfleet at home on Tuesday 4th March.
Off the field fundraising discussions are stirring as all parts of the Club begin to work together again. I'll try and write about this when I know more but suffice is it to say its great to see supporters fully engaged again!
Thursday 2 January 2014
POSITIVE ABOUT 2014 FOR CITY
City has a new Chairman and we can go into 2014 with all parts of the Club working together again!
I made no secret of my concern about the way the Club was being led. I do not propose to go over old ground but suffice it to say that the Society, Supporter's Club and Foundation can hopefully now all swing behind the new leadership to face the challenges of the Club's finances.
In all the public statements there were two significant notes for me. Firstly it was clear that this was a divided Board with the former Chairman out on a limb. Secondly, the appointment of a unifying leader following the last 2 years was essential 'as the Club had lost the support of many individuals and groups which are so important to a Club like Bath City'. In the 'did she resign or was she pushed debate'. I'll leave it to you to conclude but most of us know how these things work.
One early bonus from the change is that the Club and Foundation might now be able to take forward the funding application to the Conference Trust. If this can be successfully concluded then this could help the playing budget and specifically might help Adie and Archie fill the gap left by Dan Ball's injury?
I want to pay tribute to Pete Sellwood, who has continued to grow the work of the Foundation, and he has maintained contact with the Conference Trust. This has kept the possibility of funding alive. The Board of trustees has also been strengthened with former City Director John Reynolds now joining.
As importantly, the Supporters Club and Society, who have been effectively excluded from the Club for many months, can now play a full part. We are all City fans and we all want the best for the Club. Paul Williams has encapsulated that very well in his public statements so far.
The Club's AGM heard how the finances for 2012 had worsened in the Conference Premier years and passed the key motion concerning Geoff Todd's loan. I voted for the motion on the basis that the legal advice did not say that this couldn't be done but rather that there might be other options. It was a challenging meeting but I left in no doubt that there was a will to go forward together.
Another New Year's Day and another postponement at Weston! The curse of 'Weston super mud' strikes again! In fairness the rain was atrocious and all games in the Skrill South but one were postponed.
I sensed that City's players and fans were ready to bounce back from the very unlucky defeat at Eastleigh last Saturday. The chance to get rid of the frustration that result brought was lost. But it was more evidence of City's great progress that we can outplay the promotion favourites. Maybe we'll have a chance for revenge in the play off final?
Let's hope that we can get a game played at Mayday Trust Park this coming Saturday against Staines Town.
We remain handily placed in the table with games in hand.
I am looking forward to 2014 off and on the pitch.
A Happy New Year to all those who read this from one very happy Bath City fan!
I made no secret of my concern about the way the Club was being led. I do not propose to go over old ground but suffice it to say that the Society, Supporter's Club and Foundation can hopefully now all swing behind the new leadership to face the challenges of the Club's finances.
In all the public statements there were two significant notes for me. Firstly it was clear that this was a divided Board with the former Chairman out on a limb. Secondly, the appointment of a unifying leader following the last 2 years was essential 'as the Club had lost the support of many individuals and groups which are so important to a Club like Bath City'. In the 'did she resign or was she pushed debate'. I'll leave it to you to conclude but most of us know how these things work.
One early bonus from the change is that the Club and Foundation might now be able to take forward the funding application to the Conference Trust. If this can be successfully concluded then this could help the playing budget and specifically might help Adie and Archie fill the gap left by Dan Ball's injury?
I want to pay tribute to Pete Sellwood, who has continued to grow the work of the Foundation, and he has maintained contact with the Conference Trust. This has kept the possibility of funding alive. The Board of trustees has also been strengthened with former City Director John Reynolds now joining.
As importantly, the Supporters Club and Society, who have been effectively excluded from the Club for many months, can now play a full part. We are all City fans and we all want the best for the Club. Paul Williams has encapsulated that very well in his public statements so far.
The Club's AGM heard how the finances for 2012 had worsened in the Conference Premier years and passed the key motion concerning Geoff Todd's loan. I voted for the motion on the basis that the legal advice did not say that this couldn't be done but rather that there might be other options. It was a challenging meeting but I left in no doubt that there was a will to go forward together.
Another New Year's Day and another postponement at Weston! The curse of 'Weston super mud' strikes again! In fairness the rain was atrocious and all games in the Skrill South but one were postponed.
I sensed that City's players and fans were ready to bounce back from the very unlucky defeat at Eastleigh last Saturday. The chance to get rid of the frustration that result brought was lost. But it was more evidence of City's great progress that we can outplay the promotion favourites. Maybe we'll have a chance for revenge in the play off final?
Let's hope that we can get a game played at Mayday Trust Park this coming Saturday against Staines Town.
We remain handily placed in the table with games in hand.
I am looking forward to 2014 off and on the pitch.
A Happy New Year to all those who read this from one very happy Bath City fan!
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