Bath City (0) Horsham (1) 2 – Saturday 1 November 2025 – Enterprise National League South – Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Kieran Parselle’s inexplicable red card cost Bath City dearly as they fell to defeat at home to Horsham.
The captain’s deliberate handball saw him see red, with James Hammond converting the resulting free-kick.
Shamir Fenelon added a second just after the break to kill off the contest.
Owen Windsor and Matt Bowman made late appearances as debut substitutes but couldn’t help spark an unlikely comeback.
City were unchanged for a third straight game and the familiarity looked to aid them in the early stages where they asked all the questions.
Jordan Alves nutmegged Harvey Sparks before Jake Tabor teed up Jordan Tillson, who spooned over.
A vital block from Leone Gravata blocked Tabor and Alves’ 20-yarder skimmed across the surface forcing Louis Carey to bat behind.
Horsham’s first opening was created by Gravata’s sublime ball down the right to Greg Luer, who pulled back for the onrushing Charlie Hester-Cook.
The midfielder shot too close to Harvey Wiles-Richards on the stretch but it was a signal of intent from the in-form visitors.
With seconds of the first half remaining, City undid all their good work with a moment of madness.
Gravata’s hooked ball was aiming for Luer, who was prevented from collecting as Parselle leapt clearly batted it away with his hand.
Referee Neil Pratt consulted with assistant Thomas Green to confirm the offence was outside the box, which prevented the ‘double jeopardy’ law and meant he was dismissed.
The skipper had just made his way to the changing room as Hammond curled the free-kick over the wall with Wiles-Richards only able to help it in.
Luke Russe was moved to the back four in a defensive re-organisation ahead of the second half.
Hester-Cook curled wide before the visitors added a second on 53 minutes.
Hammond’s superb through ball between Russe and Ollie Tomlinson was perfect for Lee Harding, who squared first time to allow Fenelon a simple tap-in.
It knocked the stuffing out of Darren Way’s side as Horsham sat back and soaked up the threat.
Jack Batten’s goalbound header was blocked by Jack Brivio on the line and substitute Windsor saw his low drive kept out by Carey’s legs.
The visitors saw it out for a fourth straight win while City suffered a fifth home loss in seven in the league.
Att: 1180
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle (c), Alves (Windsor 62), Jenkins Davies, Tabor (Yeboah 74), Ash (Beardmore 62), Tillson (Bowman 74), Russe (Sweeten 85). Subs not used: Wilson, Horsell.
Scorers: City – none; Hoirsham – Hammond (45+3), Fenelon (53)
City Bookings: Alves (59)
City Dismissal: Parselle (45+2)
Officials: N Pratt, T Green, O Spender, A Bower (4th)
