Bath City (0)0 Tonbridge Angels (0)0

[Kelston Koppite]

Bath City had to settle for a share of the spoils at Twerton Park against newly promoted Tonbridge Angels after Tyler Harvey missed a second half penalty. The home side failed to rediscover their passing rhythm from Tuesday evening and consequently suffered a frustrating afternoon.

City began brightly and created and good opportunity in the 2nd minute. Ross Stearn’s ball in from the left fell to Adam Mann, whose close range effort brought an excellent save from visiting keeper Myles Roberts. Stearn tried his luck from outside the box four minutes later, but his shot was partially blocked by a defender, leaving Roberts with a comfortable save.

Both sides were struggling to make an impression on their opposition defences and, although Stearn had the ball in the Angels’ net in the 18th minute, the offside flag had already been correctly raised. Good approach work by Mann on 22 minutes ended with Harvey’s fiercely struck low shot being well saved by Roberts.

There was another presentable chance after 29 minutes when Connor Riley-Lowe’s corner from the right picked out Harvey, but the striker nodded wide of the far post from a good position.

Tonbridge were looking dangerous on the break with Jared Small proving particularly troublesome down the right wing, and they were gradually growing into the game. D’Sean Theobalds burst through in the 33rd minute, but was denied by a great covering challenge from Joe Raynes before he could get his shot away. The same player then fired wastefully over Ryan Clarke’s crossbar from inside the area after latching on to a long through ball.

Despite his side’s increasing forward ambition, goalkeeper Roberts seemed intent on wasting time whenever the opportunity arose, and he was finally shown a yellow card by the referee, Mr. Richard Gardner, a minute before the break. However, there was still time for Joe Turner to volley wide of Clarke’s far post before the half was brought to its conclusion.

Ryan Brunt replaced Harry Hamblin within five minutes of the restart as City looked to pose a different threat to the Tonbridge rearguard. The hosts continued to push forward and a 53rd minute corner from the left by Riley-Lowe found Alex Hartridge, but the defender was wide of the far post with his shot.

Andy Watkins was introduced at the expense of Mann in the 56th minute and, just after the hour mark, a cross from the right picked out Stearn, only for his volley to be directed straight at Roberts from the edge of the box.

There was a flashpoint on 65 minutes when Tom Derry burst through the home defence and was brought down by Harvey Smith, who had already been cautioned. After reference to his assistant, Mr. Gardner incorrectly showed the resulting yellow card to Hartridge, consequently allowing his central defensive partner to remain on the field of play.

With the benefit of this slice of luck, Bath continued to seek a breakthrough and were presented with a golden chance in the 72nd minute. Riley-Lowe’s free-kick from the right was directed into a crowded box and Ryan Bray was adjudged to have impeded Brunt, with the referee awarding a penalty. However, Harvey failed to take advantage, lifting his spot-kick high over the crossbar with Roberts a distant spectator.

Tonbridge took great heart from this turn of events and looked the more likely side to force a victory as time wore on. Turner shot narrowly wide of Clarke’s post from 20 yards on 81 minutes, before Stearn made way from Jordan Simpson in Jerry Gill’s final throw of the dice.

Tom Smith raced away down the inside right channel with two minutes left on the clock and his eventual cross was blocked inside the box by a defender’s raised arm, but Mr. Gardner was in no mood to point to the spot for a second time.

The final chance of the game arrived deep into stoppage time as Angels substitute Chindeu McKenzie broke through clear on goal, only for his powerful shot to be pushed to safety by an excellent diving save from Clarke.

This was a game that City really should have won, but they were unable to produce their desired brand of flowing football. Tonbridge, to their credit, were well-organised and did not allow the Romans space to play their passing game. In the end, a missed penalty proved costly for the hosts, but the men from Kent will point to the non-dismissal of Harvey Smith that may well have had an influence on the final outcome. City will take heart from a continued unbeaten start to the season, and thoughts will now focus on the trip to Slough next Saturday.

Bath City: Ryan Clarke; Joe Raynes, Harvey Smith, Alex Hartridge, Connor Riley-Lowe; Harry Hamblin (Ryan Brunt 50), Tom Smith, Tom Richards; Adam Mann (Andy Watkins 56), Tyler Harvey, Ross Stearn (Jordan Simpson 82). Subs not used: James Pardington, Matt Bower.

Tonbridge Angels: Myles Roberts; James Folkes, Jack Partner, Tommy Brewer, Sonny Miles, Ryan Bray, Jared Small (Khale Da Costa 65), D’Sean Theobalds, Tom Derry (Chindeu McKenzie 73), Tammie Hession-Harris (Alex Read 82), Joe Turner. Subs not used: Alex Bentley.

Referee: Mr. Richard Gardner

Attendance: 832