Bath City (0) 0 Maidenhead United (3) 4 – Tuesday 2 September 2025
Enterprise National League South – Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
A Jack Batten own goal on 34 seconds sparked a Bath City collapse as they were outclassed by Maidenhead United.
Josh Popoola and Liam Dulson added a goal each before the break, before Popoola wrapped up the scoring soon after half-time.
Kieran Parselle hit the bar for City in a rare scare for the visitors.
The defeat was the Romans’ biggest under Darren Way and first four-goal loss at home since the 6-2 thrashing by Weston-super-Mare in August 2023.
After an impeccably observed one minute silence for long-term supporter Mervyn Pierce, who died aged 93 the Wednesday before, Maidenhead fans soon found their voices as they rushed into a 1-0 lead.
Jayden Mitchell-Lawson found Kane Ferdinand on the right, and his teasing ball was inadvertently headed home by Batten past the helpless Harvey Wiles-Richards.
It was the second quickest goal conceded by City at this level, missing the record by a second, and first inside a minute at home since October 2001.
The visitors impressed with their interplay and swift movement proved a nightmare to handle, but Darren Way’s side began to make inroads with Scott Wilson’s effort deflected just behind for their first corner.
Dan Greenslade’s delivery was headed towards by Parselle, who was unlucky to see it cannon off the crossbar.
United made it 2-0 on 23 minutes. Jordan Ragguette easily got the better of Wilson and whipped in a ball from the left which Popoola stabbed home from close range.
Dulson was denied by the feet of Wiles-Richards in another lightning move by Alan Devonshire’s side before the former Cheltenham man made it three.
Luke Russe cheaply gave the ball away in midfield and Maidenhead pounced.
Dulson intercepted, exchanged passes with Popoola and space opened up for him to superbly plant into the bottom left corner from 18 yards.
It forced Way’s hand as he made two changes at the break, replacing Ewan Clark and Wilson for Ollie Tomlinson and Brad Ash.
They didn’t have the desired effect as Maidenhead added a fourth on 52 minutes.
Ragguette’s ball in was headed out by Batten to Popoola, who effortlessly controlled before picking his spot past a standstill Wiles-Richards.
Mitchell-Lawson and Josh Umerah threatened to add more for the rampant Magpies before they spared City further misery by replacing most of their attacking threat in the closing stages to save them for Saturday’s visit of Chelmsford.
Joe Raynes’ cross shot needed tipping over from Jordi van Stappershoef in rare involvement for the Dutch stopper as City failed to net for the first time this season.
While the goals were preventable from a defensive side, Way’s team will do well to face a stiffer test at Cannon Clarke Stadium this season as they’ll look to rebuild at Chesham United this weekend.
Att:923
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Batten, Parselle (c), Jenkins Davies, Wilson (Ash HT), Clark (Tomlinson HT), Fisher (Beardmore 82), Tillson, Russe. Subs not used: Alves, Horsell, Sweeten, Matthews.
Scorers: City – none; Maidenhead – Own Goal (1), Popoola (24, 52), Dulson (36)
City Bookings: Russe (70), Ash (90+4)
Officials: S Ouchene, O Whiting, T Copping, A Wilson (4th)