Bath City (1) 2 AFC Totton (0) 0 – Tuesday 21 October 2025
Enterprise National League South – Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Brad Ash and Kieran Parselle were on target as Bath City ended their seven-game winless run in National League South with a stunning success over AFC Totton.
City shone under the lights in the club’s annual Student Night, deservedly overcoming their in-form visitors.
Jake Tabor impressed on his first start for the club, with Manny Yeboah also making his home debut as a late substitute.
An all-round excellent team performance helped make it back-to-back home wins in all competitions for Darren Way’s side.
Totton arrived at the Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park having won their last three league games plus progression to the FA Cup 1st Round.
In contrast, City hadn’t won in National League South for two months, and were on the back of late heartbreak at Hornchurch three days previous.
They were also without the injured Scott Wilson with Tabor replacing him in attack in the only change from the weekend loss.
The visitors started on the front foot, looking confident and tidy on a slick surface and created the first opportunity with Christie Ward dragging wide
Following this confident opening, the Hampshire outfit were stunned as City took the lead with their first attack on six minutes.
A patient attack started by Tabor winning the ball in midfield saw Jordan Tillson find Joe Raynes wide right, and his pinpoint cross was glanced in via the head of Ash from six yards.
It was the forward’s fourth goal in four games and the Romans’ quickest league goal this term.
He nearly had a second minutes later when Will Jenkins Davies turned inside of Declan Rose on the byline with his low ball flashed over at the near post by Ash.
Jordan Alves blazed high and wide after Ash’s initial storm into the box was blocked off, with Tabor touching the loose ball invitingly for the winger whose finishing touch let him down.
City’s electric start forced Totton to revert to a back four. Soon after the switch, Tony Lee headed Luke Bennett’s cross straight at Harvey Wiles-Richards from 10 yards for the goalkeeper’s first involvement, while his opposite number Ryan Gosney soon found himself in strife.
Tabor brilliantly span away from Tyler Cordner, sent in a perfect centre for Ash who was well denied by Gosney.
The Totton stopper appeared to pull a muscle making the parry and with backup Max Evans not among their seven substitutes, Gosney was left to continue with his movement severely hampered.
Jimmy Ball made two changes at the break with Malachi Linton and Ralph Vigrass on for Ashley Clarke and Bennett.
That meant more attacking threat for the Stags but it was still City looking lively with Ash striking the outside of the near post from Alves’ disguised pass, nearly catching out Gosney who anticipated a shot across goal.
With Gosney unable to get purchase on goal-kicks, Totton tried playing out from the back which nearly cost them as Ryan Jackson was dispossessed by Tabor, whose eventual shot took a nick off Tyler Cordner for a corner.
The resulting delivery led to City doubling their lead just short of the hour mark.
Alves’ delivery saw Raynes beat Gosney to the ball and his header fell to Parselle who nodded in from close range.
It was the captain’s first of the season, his previous goal a header in a comprehensive 5-0 win at Hampton & Richmond in April.
Wiles-Richards’ first significant test arrived in the 64th minute when Craig Tanner’s superb through ball left Vigrass one-on-one, but the substitute side-footed too close to the keeper who parried behind for a corner.
They were almost handed a lifeline in added time when Mitch Beardmore headed Tanner’s corner inches over his own crossbar before City nearly stole a third on the break.
Substitute Louis Sweeten slipped the ball through to fellow replacement Yeboah, who cut inside but curled too close to Gosney, who to stretched and saved to his left through the pain.
It was the final chance of an entertaining contest and a performance from City which will give them confidence ahead of Saturday’s trip to Hemel Hempstead Town.
Att: 1035
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle (c), Alves, Jenkins Davies, Tabor (Sweeten 84), Ash (Yeboah 88), Tillson, Russe (Beardmore 75). Subs not used: Horsell, Mabika.
Scorers: City – Ash (6), Parselle (58); Totton – none
City Bookings: Sweeten (90+6)
Officials: S Read, M Bloor, B Williamson, S Mitchem (4th)
