Page 34 - Bath City v Hungerford Town - Monday 28 December 2020 - VNLS

LOOKING BACK 1989/90 CONTINUED

After three away games on the trot, City now had what used to be the 3rd Division (and still is for some
three at home, culminating in the much anticipated of us!).
FA Cup 1st Round visit of Fulham. Before that though The first half, although goalless, was not short of
was the business of a home league game against incidents, City having the first chance in the 13th
Gravesend and the 2nd leg league cup tie against minute when John Freegard’s header was saved by
Weymouth. Stannard in the Fulham goal. Fulham had the best
They went into the Gravesend game as league chance of the half though, Walker’s shot rebounding
leaders, two points ahead of Dover, the Kent club off the post to Sayer who looked certain to score until
faltering since City had put an end to their 100% somehow Chris Banks managed to clear the ball to
record. Tony Ricketts returned from injury, so once safety.
again Paul Stevens resumed at right back and Phil Within two minutes of the start of the second half, City
Underhill dropped to the bench. were ahead, John Freegard despatching Paul Stevens’
City had to work hard in the first half against a long throw into the top corner and fifteen minutes later
defensively minded visiting team, but had chances to it was 2-0. Dave Palmer lofted a cross into the Fulham
take the lead which they failed to convert. Gravesend box which completely deceived the keeper who could
became more adventurous in the second half and it only parry John Freegard’s resulting shot as far as Paul
was no great surprise when they made City pay for Randall who had a simple tap-in.
their earlier wastefulness, going ahead in the 66th For ten minutes we dared to dream, before two
minute. They held on to inflict City’s first defeat in 14 Fulham goals in as many minutes brought us back to
league games and their first at home, but not before reality. Right-back Peters pulled a goal back from a
Dave Singleton had forced the keeper into a last gasp 72nd minute corner and then Clive Walker levelled
save as time ran out. They held on to top spot though, the scores with a thunderous shot from 25 yards. The
as Dover were held to a draw at home by third placed visitors pressed for the winner but City held out for a
Dartford. deserved draw and a replay at Craven Cottage.
The second leg league cup game against Weymouth The Teams That Day Were:
had looked a formality when City were 4-1 up with
20 minutes to go in the first leg, but the home side’s City: Preston, Stevens, Palmer, Ricketts, Banks, Brown,
three late goals changed that and meant there was all Smith, Cousins, Freegard, Randall, Smart.
to play for when they met again at Twerton. With the Subs: Singleton (on for Cousins), Underhill
upcoming Fulham game in mind, the tie was played Fulham: Stannard, Peters, Elkins, Skinner, Nebbeling,
on the Monday, following the Gravesend game, giving Marshall, Barnett, Lewington, Sayer,
City an early opportunity to put a halt to a run of three
defeats and an extra day to prepare as well. Eckhardt, Walker.
Dave Singleton, who had scored a hat-trick in the first Subs: Donnellan (on for Barnett), Watson
leg at Weymouth, put City ahead in the 11th minute LES BINGHAM
when he headed home a John Freegard cross, and
two minutes later, Paul Randall doubled their lead
when he scored from a quickly taken Chris Banks
free kick. Despite being on top for the rest of the half
though, City weren’t able to extend their lead before
the interval.
The second half saw Weymouth come more into
the game but the closest they came to reducing the
deficit was a couple of long range efforts before
Dave Singleton had the chance to give City a three
goal advantage for the second time in the tie in the
68th minute. John Freegard’s cross found him totally
unmarked six yards out, but he smashed his volley high
and wide when it looked easier to score.
Weymouth pulled a goal back two minutes from time
through former City player Graham Withey, but City
saw the rest of the game out without incident to make it
through to the next round 6-5 on aggregate.
All was now ready for the big day, and 4283 people
packed into Twerton Park on Sunday 19th November
1989 to see if City could knock out Fulham, then in A ticket from the FA Cup 1st Round meeting with Fulham in November 1989.

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