Page 29 - Bath City v Hungerford Town - Monday 28 December 2020 - VNLS

WE HAVE MET BEFORE

Despite being only 53 miles apart, Bath and (penalty), Opi Edwards, Andy Watkins, Jack Batten
Hungerford have only recently become regular foes and Nat Jarvis complete the rout. The first match
following the Crusaders’ promotion to National proved to be Gary Owers’ final game as City
League South in 2016. Before then, Hungerford were manager, after leaving for the vacant Torquay United
members of the Hellenic and Isthmian Leagues and the job.
two clubs met just once, back in 1974. The 2018/19 season again saw City hand out a
The occasion was an FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round thrashing to the struggling visitors as a Ryan Brunt
match at Twerton Park where, under Bert Head, City brace, which included a penalty, Anthony Straker and
had gone full time in their quest for Football League Robbie Cundy goals completed a 4-1 win with 689 in
membership and the Southern League side were big attendance. The Crusaders replied through a Conor
favourites against their Hellenic League counterparts. Lynch penalty. The return match on Good Friday 2019
With the exception of former City goalkeeper Rod was a forgettable one as a relegation-battling home
Oland, they were very much an unknown quantity side earned a precious point with a strong defensive
and, on the day, City had too much for them, display in energy-sapping spring sunshine. The crowd
sweeping into a 4-0 half time lead. Two further of 576 was boosted by a large travelling support.
goals were added in the second half before a late Last season, City recorded another league double
Hungerford consolation. The City goals were scored over the Bulpit Lane side with Harvey Smith and Ross
by Trevor Tinson (2), Alan Skirton, Paul Fiocca, Peter Stearn giving City a 2-1 win at Twerton in front of 903
Rogers and Steve Scarrott (penalty). spectators. The mid-March meeting proved to be the
CITY: Allen, Crampton, Scarrott, Smart, Edwards, final match before the Coronavirus pandemic ended
Tavener, Skirton, Fiocca, Tinson, Rogers, Legg (Hall). the season early and a scrappy match was settled by
HUNGERFORD: Heath, Webb, Lamb, Calvert, Adam Mann whose injury time goal at the end of the
Bailey, Mundy, Hutchings, Desmeules, Josey, Hudson, first half scored against current keeper Will Henry,
Moyle. Sub: Ackling. settled it for City. The gate of 619 contained many
local football fans whose own games had already
ATTENDANCE: 1598 been called off as the ever threatening pandemic crisis
Fast forward 42 years, and City and Hungerford met loomed large.
twice inside a week as the festive fixtures paired the HUNGERFORD: Henry, Jones, Rusby, Tomlinson,
two sides with City hosting the Crusaders at Twerton Klukowski (McGrory), McGilp, Graham, Smith,
Park on Boxing Day 2016. The Berkshire side had Artwell, M. Jones (Ferdinand) Akers. Subs not used:
acclimatised nicely to the higher level following Bailey, Maturino, Rees.
promotion and their organised and direct football
caused City some problems. It was therefore perhaps CITY: Wiles-Richards, Riley-Lowe, T. Smith, Bowry,
no surprise when Jon Boardman gave them a 68th Artus, Mann, Martin, Ball, Pearson (Brunt), Richards
minute lead with a header following a long throw. (Z. Smith), James. Subs not used: Clarke, Chilvers,
The introduction of Nick McCootie then changed the Simpson.
game for City and it was his driving run that set up ADAM MATRAVERS
Andy Watkins for the equaliser on 76 minutes. Both
sides had chances to win it but in the end, a share of
the spoils was fair and the crowd of 798 were well
entertained. The return meeting on New Year’s Day
was City`s first ever trip to Bulpit Lane and in wet
and windy conditions, they twice came from behind
to record a 2-2 draw. James Clark had given the
home side the lead on the half-hour mark, which they
held until the 56th minute when McCootie equalised
following good play by Naby Diallo. City goalkeeper
Max O`Leary, on loan from Bristol City, then saved a
Stefan Brown spot kick but was beaten by Nat Jarvis,
a future City striker after a melée in the Romans’ box.
However, Chas Hemmings powered home a 77th
minute corner to again leave honours even in front of
a gate of 408.
The following season, City did the league double with
a 2-1 win in Berkshire, thanks to a Jack Compton
brace which included a penalty watched by 311
spectators, and a late season 5-0 Twerton victory
when a crowd of 847 saw goals from Matt Richards Opi Edwards scores for City in the 5-0 win here in April 2018.
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