Ebbsfleet United (0) 1 Bath City (1) 0 – Monday 25 August 2025 – Enterprise National League South – Kufflink Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Dom Samuel’s 88th minute leveller prevented Bath City a third straight win.
Scott Wilson put the Romans ahead early in an impressive first half showing.
Ebbsfleet upped their game after the break and posed more questions, with Harvey Wiles-Richards the busier of the two keepers.
Their efforts were eventually rewarded to deny a perfect Bank Holiday weekend for the Stripes.
Will Jenkins Davies tested home keeper Mark Cousins inside five minutes with a zipping strike which required tipping around the post.
After a promising start, the summer arrival then recorded a fifth goal involvement in five games as City took an 11th minute lead.
Jenkins Davies took a quick free-kick, though play appeared to be pulled back with referee Zachary Cunningham blowing his whistle as Ebbsfleet tried to prevent it.
Wilson looked across and he was instructed to play on, leaving him one-on-one and the home defence trying to keep up.
The striker kept his composure to side-foot past Cousins, who didn’t get enough on the ball to keep it out.
It was his first of the season and 45th in National League South, making him City’s joint top scorer in the competition alongside Andy Watkins and Cody Cooke.
Brad Ash’s cute backheel from Wilson’s pull-back was denied by Cousins at his near post and he was also thwarted by the ‘fleet stopper during continued pressure.
Luke Russe’s whipped free-kick was audaciously flicked towards goal by the City forward, left frustrated by quick reflexes by Cousins to bat away.
Ebbsfleet struggled to make inroads, as Darren Way’s well organised side regularly blunted out their attacks from open play, leaving them to rely on set-pieces.
Ben Coker’s hanging corner caused chaos at the far post with Jake Coley blocked by Wiles-Richards, who spread himself well.
It set the tone for the second half as Josh Wright’s team tested the Romans defence with long throws and corners.
Wiles-Richards did enough to fend off Coker’s delivery with Tom Dallison hooking the rebound over.
City had their moments on the break. Jenkins Davies’ cross from the right just bypassed Ash and Wilson shot too close to Cousins after Russe won the ball high up the field.
The first lapse from the visiting defence occurred midway through the second half. Jack Batten allowed a ball to float over his head which left Coley with Wiles-Richards to beat.
He went for power and the City glovesman parried behind to keep City ahead.
Mustapha Olagunju should have tested the Romans custodian on 73 minutes. Ben Chapman’s terrific diagonal met the onrushing defender who headed wide from six yards.
Substitute Alex Fisher was denied by Cousins with the onrushing Dan Greenslade flashing the rebound just wide.
United made their final two substitutions with Lennon Peake and Samuel replacing Jake Hessenthaler and Coley.
It proved an inspired move from the hosts. Peake’s stinging drive from distance was gloved behind by Wiles-Richards before his fellow bench buddy nicked an equaliser.
Charlie Seaman helped the ball back into the area from his initial corner, Dallison headed towards goal and Samuel peeled away to force home from a yard out.
Both teams hunted a winner but couldn’t find one, as both built on good starts with one defeat each from their first five games.
Way’s side were applauded off by their 135 supporters who were encouraged by a strong display against the full-time ‘fleet.
Att: 1395
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Tomlinson, Batten, Parselle (c), Jenkins Davies, Wilson (Fisher 61), Ash, Tillson, Russe. Subs not used: Clark, Horsell, Beardmore, Matthews.
Scorers: City – Wilson (11); Ebbsfleet – Samuel (88)
City Bookings: Wilson (23), Greenslade (65), Fisher (79), Jenkins Davies (90+6), Ash (90+8)
Officials: S Hughes, R Chantrill-Smith, H Clark, S Wigington