Staines Salvage Massive Point With Late Equaliser – Bath City vs. Staines Town

Strange light over Twerton Park

The rain once again made slim pickings with regards to choice of games. Following a key related debacle just before New Year’s Eve, I treated myself with a trip to Bath for the Conference South game between Bath City and Staines Town. I had visited Bath a couple of times previously but this was the first time for football. I of course saw Bath a week or so ago when they lost to a late goal away at ten man Eastleigh. I saw Staines a few seasons at Wheatsheaf Park when they played Braintree Town. I also saw them in one of my first non league games in London when they drew 3-3 at Carshalton Athletic when Staines were still in The Ryman League. 

The crowd shelter from the pre kick off shower

Staines are first to get a ball in to the box but the Bath keeper is able to claim the driven cross.  They get another ball in to the box shortly afterwards and this time the Bath keeper is forced in to a save from a header. Bath then have their first chance as a half volley from the edge of the area is saved by the keeper. The visitors have a lucky escape as the centre back slices a clearance over his own crossbar. Their lucky streak almost continues but the Bath keeper is able to keep out a deflected effort. They almost have another lucky break as the Bath keeper spills the ball but there is no one following up. The Bath keeper soon redeems himself as he makes a good low save. Both sides have efforts which come close but the half ends goalless.  

Covered terrace complete with tea bar

At the start of the second half, both sides have good chances to get the ball in to the box but both are wasted. Bath then begin to take control. Firstly they have a chance where a half volley is dragged wide of the goal and they then hit the bar with a speculative effort from distance. The Staines keeper then makes a great save from an effort from the edge of the box and then the away defence manage to block two efforts in quick succession and they just manage to eventually clear the ball away. Staines believe they’ve taken the lead against the run of play but the goal is disallowed for offside. The home side do eventually take the lead as the ball is headed down in the penalty area and the ball is put away in to the net. They almost add a second as the ball is pulled back from the by line but the Staines keeper keeps his side in the game. Bath are made to pay for that missed chance as Staines equalise with almost the last action of the game.

Staines attack in the first half

Trains to Bath Spa depart from Paddington on a regular basis and the journey takes around an hour and a half. There are a lot of pubs in Bath city centre and one of the best has to be The Volunteer Riflemans Arms which is just off New Bond Street and serves several local ales. A short walk away from VRA is The Alehouse which also has a good selection of local beers and the bar staff also perform magic tricks upon request. Twerton Park is a long walk from the station and the number 2 bus from the bus station takes you to right outside the ground. The journey takes ten minutes and the buses are every 15 minutes. The clubhouse has Sky Sports and like the previous pubs, also serves local beer. Opposite the station is The Royal Hotel which is handy if you have a wait for a train.   

Despite the appalling photo, the Bath City programme is in fact very good. There are a lot of detailed match reports and a lot of reading for the long journey home.

The stand with the Somerset hills in the background