Hampton & Richmond Borough (0) 1 Bath City (0) 2 – Saturday 22 November 2025
Enterprise National League South – The Beveree Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Jordan Tillson’s added time stunner saw Bath City claim a dramatic win at Hampton & Richmond Borough.
The midfielder, back from two games injured, let fly from 25 yards to leave the hosts crestfallen and clinch back-to-back away successes for the Romans.
Kieran Parselle had nodded City ahead just after half-time, before substitute Nathan Paul-Lavaly’s equaliser.
Chances came and went for both sides at a rainy Beveree before Tillson’s magnificent strike, his first away goal since an impressive finish at the same venue last season.
The first half saw chances largely created through set-pieces with neither side getting a grip on the game in open play.
Davide Rodari headed Harry Gardner’s corner against the outside of the post inside 10 minutes.
Will Jenkins Davies’ corner saw Joe Raynes rise highest, but his well-placed header was nodded off the line by Rodari.
Parselle helped Rodari’s header away with league debutant Charlie Binns beaten.
Binns, on league debut, did enough to tip Kai Innocent’s volley over in the final opening of an evenly contested first half.
Darren Way shuffled his pack at the break, introducing Jack Batten and Owen Windsor for the ineffective Jordan Alves and Mitch Beardmore.
Binns had to be alert as Dan Greenslade inadvertently volleyed Gardner’s free-kick back towards his own goal.
Two minutes later, City opened the scoring.
In the torrential conditions, Jenkins Davies’ floated corner slipped through the hands of Matt Rowley and Parselle was on hand to head home from two yards out.
Windsor’s introduction added spark to the attack, and he nearly made it two.
Chasing down Ollie Tomlinson’s clearance, the forward held off Alan Massey on a marauding run but slipped when shooting, giving Rowley an easier save than anticipated low to his right.
The substitute was forced off with a dead leg with Manny Yeboah on in his place, curtailing an eye-catching cameo.
Rodari’s shot on the turn was well taken by Binns, who also batted Paul-Lavaly’s effort around the post after a solo run from the wing-back helped create an opening.
A period of pressure penned the visitors back and eventually Hampton found a way through.
Innocent’s ball from halfway was glanced wide by Junior Dixon to Paul-Lavaly, whose attempted cross from just inside the penalty looped perfectly over the deceived Binns to nestle into the far corner.
It was his first goal for the club and Hampton’s first in all competitions for five games.
Despite the setback, City immediately went on the offensive with determination. Tillson’s ball from the edge of the box deflected to Brad Ash, who poked wide.
On 87 minutes, City’s leading scorer squandered a glaring chance to make it 2-1.
Jenkins Davies worked half a yard down the right and pulled back for Ash, who off balance spooned wide from six yards.
Binns did well to tip Massey’s goalbound header behind from Gardner’s initial free-kick and produced a better save from Sam Deadfield, who found room in a crowded box but the keeper flung himself to his left to keep it out.
With three of four added minutes played, Deadfield was unwittingly involved in the moment of magic which sealed success for Way’s side.
The midfielder was penalised for obstruction just inside his own half, earning City a free-kick.
Jenkins Davies’ floated delivery was headed back by Batten into the path of Tillson, whose phenomenal first time strike with the outside of his foot screamed into the top right corner past the outstretched Rowley and sent the visiting players, supporters and bench wild.
There was still time for Hampton to create a few scares with late corners with Rowley sent forward, but City stood firm to make it five unbeaten.
Having suffered late heartbreak three times in October, two stoppage time goals in successive Saturdays have been just the tonic for Way’s soaked heroes.
Att: 669
City’s Line-Up: Binns, Raynes, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Parselle (c), Alves (Windsor HT (Yeboah (68)), Jenkins Davies, Ash, Tillson, Beardmore (Batten HT), Russe (Bowman 76). Sub not used: Horsell.
Scorers: City – Parselle (50), Tillson (90+3); Hampton – Paul-Lavaly (82)
City Bookings: none
Officials: D Blades, M Ball, T Lathey, E Smith (4th)
