Bath City (2) 4 Bristol City U21s (0) 0 – Saturday 2 August 2025 – Pre-Season Friendly – Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Scott Wilson’s double helped Bath City end pre-season on a high with a comprehensive victory over Bristol City U21.
The striker scored at the start of each half against a young Robins side in a promising performance by Darren Way’s side.
Jack Batten claimed the third midway through the second half.
Alex Fisher got off the mark with a late penalty to round off pre-season perfectly.
The first 20 minutes was arguably the best the Romans have played this summer.
Dan Greenslade didn’t get enough contact on Ewan Clark’s teasing cross and Wilson’s first time ball towards Clark was well snuffed out by the covering Cavalli Walker.
City opened the scoring on nine minutes through their number nine.
Will Jenkins Davies’ quick throw was helped over the static defence by Luke Russe, and Wilson controlled well before slamming past the exposed Joe Duncan from eight yards.
Duncan nearly gifted a second soon after.
Clark’s harmless shot took a wicked deflection and looped kindly in the air for the stopper, but he inexplicably fumbled and was fortunate to see Brad Ash fire the rebound into the side-netting.
Jenkins Davies’ header was well blocked by Zach Ali and Kieran Parselle headed straight at Duncan.
The dominance continued as Ash was played through via a fortunate ricochet and tried to deliberately place the ball wide of Duncan’s left, but the keeper stretched to grasp well.
A drinks break and stoppage for a minor Clark injury somewhat stalled City’s momentum though the visitors offered little, with Tom Chaplin ambitiously going for glory with a free-kick wide of the penalty area, which Harvey Wiles-Richards comfortably watched wide.
City made the ideal start to the second half by doubling their lead.
Thomas Gibbs, on at the break for the Robins, half-cleared to Clark, who whipped in from the left.
Jenkins Davies rose higher than Ali to head across goal and Wilson stabbed home from a yard out.
Wiles-Richards was needlessly caught from Victor Akinbo when attempting to clear upfield but was able to continue after treatment.
Gibbs redeemed himself for the second goal by deflecting Ash’s shot over after Jenkins Davies’ mishit unintentionally fell nicely for the striker.
The resulting corner brought City’s third. Dan Greenslade’s near post delivery saw Batten help the ball goalwards, with the final touch possibly coming off Bristol City’s Jack Hooper.
Substitute Fisher headed Russe’s cross too close to Duncan before the visitors wasted the chance of a consolation as Wiles-Richards’ rash header from outside his box fell straight to Jack Griffin, but he tamely volleyed wide from 25 yards.
The Romans notched a fourth on 84 minutes. Jenkins Davies’ ball down the right saw Mitch Beardmore chase down and bravely try and touch past Duncan, who caught him high and just inside the penalty area.
Usual penalty taker Wilson had been replaced by Fisher, who took responsibility himself and finished superbly, drilling into the bottom left corner away from Duncan despite the goalkeeper guessing correctly.
It meant City had scored more in one afternoon than their previous five friendlies combined to give them an ideal lift ahead of the season opener at Worthing.
Att: 298
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle (c), Jenkins Davies, Wilson (Fisher 74), Clark, Ash (Beardmore 79), Tillson (Sweeten 79), Russe. Sub not used: Sardo.
Scorers: Wilson (9, 50), Batten (68), Fisher (pen 84); Bristol City – none
City Bookings: none
Officials: C Scriven, P Bell, D Hughes, D Wheatley (4th)