City return with Shaftesbury stalemate

Bath City Women did everything but score at Shaftesbury as they kicked off 2024 with a goalless draw. Tara Taylor hit the bar in the first half and post in the second, Libby Goater and Tanea Wright were denied by fine stops by home keeper Emma Stranger and Hari Sabic volleyed narrowly over in the closing stages in a dominant performance by Matt Abreu’s side. To their credit Shaftesbury defended supremely well and made a series of telling blocks to frustrate the Romans creating even more openings. Sadie Farley recorded her second clean sheet of the season and was seldom tested, Becca Roberts’ free-kick whistling past her post after the keeper had been penalised for handball outside the area. Despite it being their first outing in six weeks there was plenty of energy in City’s display, boosted by Ashley Harris’ return from injury, but the final finish eluded them as they had to settle for a fourth draw this term.

By contrast the Development side were back amongst the goals with an 8-1 win over Hutton Ladies. Ceris Evans and Esme Fensome both hit hat-tricks with Jamine Rennie and Liv Davis also on target in the victory that move the side within two points of league leaders Weston Super Mare Ladies Reserves.