Bath City (1) 2 Eastbourne Borough (0) 0 – Saturday 23 August 2025
Enterprise National League South – Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Bath City made it back-to-back league wins thanks to goals from Will Jenkins Davies and Brad Ash.
The Romans kicked off the Bank Holiday weekend in style as they inflicted a third straight defeat on Eastbourne Borough.
The visitors’ miserable record at Cannon Clarke Stadium continued – one win in 16 visits – as they seldom troubled the well protected Harvey Wiles-Richards.
Dan Greenslade made his 150th appearance for City in the victory as Eastbourne also failed to net at Twerton for the fourth season running.
They looked keen to end that sequence as Matt Gray’s side started positively.
Freddie Carter’s long throw bounced in the box and Craig Eastmond’s attempted half-volley was comfortably taken by Wiles-Richards.
Another missile from the Eastbourne centre-back led to Jes Uchegbulam blasting across goal with Kieran Parselle relieved to see his clearance just miss his own post.
City broke the deadlock on 16 minutes with their first attack.
Greenslade’s pinpoint ball over the top was well brought down by Alex Fisher as he found himself goal side of the Boro’ defence.
His initial shot was well saved by Jamie Searle, but the rebound fell to Jenkins Davies who fired into the ground and watched his effort bounce past Isaac Pitblado on the line.
It followed up from his winner at Salisbury as the new arrival made it four goal involvements in four games.
Fisher lashed over from a corner after his initial attempt has been blocked as Darren Way’s side found their feet.
Eastbourne were dealt a blow when last season’s leading scorer George Alexander failed to recover from an early knock and was forced off just past the half hour, replaced by Victor Akinwale.
Their afternoon nearly unfolded further as straight after Akinwale’s introduction, Greenslade’s long throw ricocheted to the feet of Ollie Tomlinson, whose fierce strike was superbly tipped over by Searle.
Mo Sagaf miscued wide and Akinwale hurriedly smashed off target, both recycled from set-pieces, as Boro’ were restricted to half chances against City’s determined back four.
The hosts made it 2-0 with just 39 seconds played in the second half.
Luke Russe’s diagonal forced Pitblado to clear, but he cannoned the ball against Beardmore who got the better of the full-back and crossed into the penalty area.
Eventually the ball found its way back to Beardmore, whose scuffed shot caught the Sports defence out, leaving Ash to swivel and thrash home first time from six yards.
Tomlinson headed Russe’s corner over as City’s dominant start to the second half continued.
Eastbourne were close to making the Romans pay for not extending their advantage. Pitblado’s hanging cross saw Carter get the better of Greenslade and poke towards goal.
Wiles-Richards saved well with his legs and was grateful to see the ball bounce back off the shins of Camron Gbadebo and wide.
Way reverted to his usual 3-4-3 formation for the final 20 minutes with Jack Batten added to the defence, and it helped frustrate the visitors further.
Despite the introduction of lively visiting substitutes Arthur Grout and Imani Lanquedoc, the latter on debut, Eastbourne rarely threatened as City saw out the game comfortably to cap off a fine afternoon.
Att: 919
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Parselle (c), Jenkins Davies (Batten 70), Ash (Clark 70), Fisher (Wilson 70), Tillson (Matthews 86), Beardmore (Sweeten 90), Russe. Sub not used: Horsell.
Scorers: City – Jenkins Davies (15), Ash (47); Eastbourne – none
City Bookings: Parselle (59)
Officials: S Swan, T Farr, M Bloor, O Spender (4th)