Page 29 - Bath City v Havant & Waterlooville - Saturday 24 October - FA Cup

TACTICALLY SPEAKING

last week. City certainly provide a genuine threat now
from balls into the box and in the likes of Conway,
Hinds and, soon to return Donovan Wilson, they have
the fire power to hopefully convert a good percentage
of these, even if they don’t necessarily have an out
and out target man in the mould of a Ryan Brunt for
example.
It has been great to see the return of Jack Batten to the
starting line up and his aerial prowess and strength
have been welcome for City as they look to rebuild
a backline that has been so miserly over the last two
seasons. Let us not forget he missed the whole of the
2019/20 campaign and his partnership with Robbie
Cundy a year earlier was a big reason why City made
Five games in and it has been interesting to see Jerry’s the play-offs. With dominant young loanee Tom Leak
new signings take to the field after quite a large turn looking assured together with the reliable Dan Ball,
around in the squad. The disappointment of not being it bodes well for a return to those strong foundations
able to see City in action live has been tempered that have set City in such good stead in recent times.
somewhat by being able to view on stream and this The back to back clean sheets against Billericay and
has been a different angle at which to observe City up at Slough in the FA Cup show the process of a new
closer than is the norm. defence settling down might be already beginning to
The first thing that has struck me in the opening games show through.
is the technical skills and quality our midfield possess The early matches have pitted City with some tough
particularly with the arrival of veteran playmaker Ryan matches and against sides that you would expect to
Harley whose neat short passing game has knitted be up in the top half of the National League South.
things together and brought a calmness to the side. Last Saturday although on the end of a 1-0 defeat,
Add into that mix the experience of Lloyd James City applied themselves well and whilst the Darts
and the youthful energy of the two Toms (Smith and created the greater chances, were limited to shots
Richards) and City look well equipped in that area. from range and half chances. Dartford are expected
The return from injury of Frankie Artus will, I am sure, to challenge for the league title and manager Steve
be welcomed by the management as he brings that King commented afterwards that it was his team’s best
physicality that is vital in this league. performance since he took charge. City could easily
Secondly, the crossing, touched upon by Jerry in his have come back home with a point following a strong
second half and if they compete as well against the
post-match interview last weekend, has been of a high rest of the league, they will fancy themselves to be
quality and a definite improvement on last season
already. Callum Evans has produced some wicked again in the mix come next May. The pass completion
totals actually ended in City’s favour with 296
deliveries from the right hand side and looks every bit
the Football League player that his CV suggests. On completed passes compared with the home sides 292.
the left, Freddie Grant has shown good technique with If that’s the standard to aspire to at the top end of this
his crossing and it was just a shame that his wonderful league, the early signs are promising for Bath City.
late cross that provided goal poacher Tommy Conway
with a goal scoring header was ruled out for offside ADAM MATRAVERS

Ryan Harley has added guile to the City midfield. Jack Batten intercepts in characteristic fashion against Billericay Town.
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