Match Preview – Southend United (H) – Isuzu FA Trophy 4th Round

07 Jan 2026

Saturday sees City go in search of a last 16 place in the Isuzu FA Trophy, with the considerable obstacle of National League Southend United standing in their way at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

The only competitive fixture between the two sides took place on 22 November 1952 in the FA Cup 1st Round. City had beaten local sides Paulton Rovers, Wells City, Glastonbury and Trowbridge Town (the latter in front of over 10,000 at Twerton Park) to reach round one for the first time since 1945. In preparation for the game, crush barriers were installed at the Bristol End. Division Three South side Southend United had reached the last 16 the year before, but were ousted thanks to a Ray Snook brace and one from Wally Ellison. The Romans lost 1-0 at Grimsby Town in the next round and finished 5th in the Southern League. Southend ended the season 8th in Division Three South, sandwiched between Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.

TRIVIA

  • City also faced Southend United Reserves four times in the 1920s with two wins followed by two defeats.
  • Current Southend midfielder James Morton made 79 appearances for Bath City across two spells, scoring six goals.
  • Saturday will be Southend’s first visit to Twerton since December 1992 – a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers in front of 7,707. Rovers were managed by Malcolm Allison, also a former Bath City boss before making his name at Manchester City.

FORM

  • Bath City have won two penalty shootouts to reach round four of this competition, overcoming Bracknell Town and Dorking Wanderers. They last reached the last 16 in 2015, during the club’s record-breaking run to the semi-finals.
  • Southend United, who made it to Wembley last season in the National League Promotion Final, cruised past Truro City 4-0 to earn this tie. They sit 7th in the National League having won their last two games1-0, both goals from Gus Scott-Morriss.

TICKET INFO
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If you’re unable to attend, you can obtain updates via:

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