In a match between two teams at opposite ends of the table, Bath City came away with victory after scoring three times to win 3–1.
Both teams came into the game in poor form, with us having lost our last three matches and the visitors losing three of their last five. However, we started the match more quickly, utilising both wings to build a multitude of attacks.
We came close to breaking the deadlock five minutes in, as Sam Pearson crossed to Jason Prior, who poked wide from close range before miscuing an effort from a well-worked corner.
Our home record remained strong before the match, having gone undefeated in 24 of our last 26 matches, and we started fast, looking to continue in that manner, with Charlie Carter testing Charlie Binns with a fierce drive.
Recent injuries to Louis Annesley and Tony Craig have hampered our defence for the remainder of the season, and our new-look defence was soon tested as Scott Wilson went through one-on-one with Harrison Foulkes, who was equal to his effort.
Both teams had lost 2–1 in their last match against AFC Totton. However, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in this tie. Matt Bowman instigated a give-and-go before lifting the ball over Harrison Foulkes.
After a brief lull in the tie, Wanderers midfielder Harry Pinchard came agonisingly close to netting the equaliser, hitting the post after intercepting the ball on the halfway line, carrying it into the box, and unleashing a strike.
Chances remained limited for both sides for the rest of the first half, with Kai Enslin striking straight at Charlie Binns and Sam Pearson shooting just wide, after Jordan Alves curled an effort wide for the visitors.
In search of the equaliser, we started the second half on the front foot, winning a number of corners before Charlie Carter forced a wonderful reaction save from Charlie Binns to keep the visitors ahead.
Another chance went begging minutes later as the ball was teed up for Kai Enslin, who struck into the side netting, before George Knight’s header was clawed away on the goal line, as Binns continued his excellent performance between the sticks.
As our chances stacked up, the equaliser finally arrived in the 65th minute. Brennan Camp met an outswinging corner with a header, directing the ball into the bottom right corner.
However, the visitors remained resolute amid our attacking threat and consistent chances.
They soon created an opportunity on the counterattack, and Alex Fisher made no mistake to restore Bath City’s lead.
In response, Charlie Binns continued his fine performance. Kai Enslin headed on target, and Brennan Camp drilled an effort goalbound; however, both were denied admirably by Binns.
The final nail in the coffin came late in the game as the visitors added a third. The ball fell to Donovan Wilson, who saw his first effort blocked before side-footing home at the second attempt.
With eight minutes of added time, the likes of Paul McCallum and Jason Prior tried their luck, including another header that produced a fine reaction save. Brennan Camp also hit the post with a header, and Charlie Carter saw an effort saved from a one-on-one position, as Wanderers launched a wave of late attacks.
However, the two-goal lead remained intact, ensuring the visitors secured all three points.