Taunton Town (0) 1 Bath City (0) 0 – Tuesday 8 July 2025 – Pre-Season Friendly – Cygnet Health Care Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Kane Simpson’s late goal saw Bath City defeated in their first pre-season friendly of 2025.
The forward beat backup goalkeeper Massimo Sardo at a warm Cygnet Health Care Stadium.
Will Jenkins-Davies was the only new confirmed signing to feature for the Romans in Somerset, while three trialists made up the numbers for Darren Way’s side.
The City boss was without Joe Raynes, away following his wedding on Saturday, and Ewan Clark, sidelined following dental surgery.
They also sported a one-off all white kit with their new strip not available in time for Tuesday’s clash.
The best chances of the first half arrived in the final few minutes. Mitch Beardmore tested James Walker with a 25-yard free-kick, but the former City trialist goalkeeper turned it around the post.
For Taunton, Jayden Nielsen, another ex-trialist for the Stripes, sent a left-footed drive wide of Harvey Wiles-Richards’ post having linked up with Simpson and Ben Seymour.
Simpson shot too close to Wiles-Richards and Nielsen had a penalty appeal turned down after half-time as the Peacocks improved, benefitting with added match fitness from two previous friendlies.
Wiles-Richards was one of nine City players replaced from half-time onwards, and his replacement Sardo was left picking the ball out of the net.
Chris Zebroski’s well-weighted pass left Simpson one-on-one and he confidently dispatched.
It was enough to inflict a first friendly loss for the Romans to a lower league side since August 2013 at Bideford.
City return to action this Saturday 12 July as they take on Port Vale at Cannon Clarke Stadium @ Twerton Park (ko 3pm).
Att: n/a
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards (Sardo 80), Trialist 1, Greenslade (Trialist 3 HT), Batten (Tomlinson HT), Parselle (c) (Pritchard 72), Alves, Jenkins-Davies (Sweeten 64), Wilson (Ash HT), Tillson (Trialist 2 HT), Beardmore (Mabika 72), Russe (Fisher HT).
Scorers: City – none; Taunton – Simpson (84)
City Bookings: none
Referee: Carl Peters