Tonbridge Angels (1) 2 Bath City (1) 1 – Saturday 21 March 2026 – Enterprise National League South – Yeomans Community Stadium
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
Darren Way’s final match in charge ended in defeat as Bath City’s relegation worries continued.
An 11th league game without a win was enough for the board of directors to act as the City boss was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours later.
Scott Wilson had headed City ahead inside six minutes, but Bailey Akehurst’s penalty soon levelled it up for Tonbridge.
Bunmi Babajide’s strike early in the second half helped the hosts to a third straight win, with the defeat ending Way’s 68-game tenure in charge.
The afternoon started so promisingly as City netted their quickest away league goal of the season.
Jaiden Putman’s diagonal was only half headed away by Ethan Sutcliffe, with Kieran Parselle keeping the move alive by the byline.
His centre was met by Wilson at the near post, whose clever glancing header looped over Matt Rowley in the home goal.
The lead was extinguished on 18 minutes. Jordon Thompson’s searching ball from the back was helped on by Alfie Pavey to Frankie Baker, who went to ground in the box after trying to run across Jack Batten.
For the second time in a week Batten was penalised, albeit not as controversially as Tuesday, and referee Steven Hughes pointed to the spot.
Akehurst took responsibility and slammed into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1.
City spurned a huge opportunity to level on the half hour.
Ruebin Sheppard’s quick free-kick was spotted by Josh Laqeretabua as he darted in on goal.
His low shot was tipped away by Rowley but after Akehurst made a hash of clearing, Putman slammed against the crossbar from five yards.
An action-packed five minutes of first half additional time saw Rowley bravely thwart Wilson after Tobi Amole’s loose header back, and Akehurst’s strike from Ricky Korboa’s lay-off well batted away by Wiles-Richards.
The chances continued after the break. Joe Raynes’ well measured pass was latched onto by Sheppard, whose explosive acceleration took him past Sutcliffe with ease.
He played it back to Wilson but his attempt took a nick on its way wide.
Tonbridge left-back Akehurst continued to be in the thick of the action as he provided an assist with what proved to be the winner.
After cutting inside, his drilled pass was well controlled and finished by Babajide from 12 yards, the forward netting against City for the second fixture running.
Full-back Sutcliffe was denied a third goal in three games as Wiles-Richards continued his fine form.
Marcus Sablier threaded it through, aided by Parselle being floored by an aerial battle, but the defender couldn’t find a way past the outstretched City glovesman.
Rowley denied Sheppard at his near post in what was City’s last real promise, with the only positives of the closing stages seeing Brad Ash and Ollie Tomlinson make returns from injury, the latter his first outing of 2026.
Korboa and Sablier were both denied by Wiles-Richards before the final chance fell City’s way as Jordan Alves’ cross evaded makeshift striker Raynes, leaving Rowley to easily gather.
The final whistle blew on the game and Way’s reign blew soon after. Coupled with wins for Farnborough, Salisbury, Chippenham Town and Hampton & Richmond Borough, it concluded a shocking afternoon for City, who now find themselves seven points adrift of safety with nine games remaining and without a permanent manager.
Att: 1762
City’s Line-Up: Wiles-Richards, Raynes, Greenslade, Batten (Tomlinson 77), Parselle (c), S Wilson, Tillson (Russe 70), Windsor (Ash 77), Putman (Alves 55), Sheppard (Alexander-Walker 63), Laqeretabua. Subs not used: Fisher, Binns.
Scorers: City – S Wilson (6); Tonbridge – Akehurst (pen 18), Babajide (52)
City Bookings: Raynes (34), Greenslade (72)
Officials: S Hughes, D Johnston, T Osborn, A Gillespie (4th)
