Full-time: Bath City 2-1 Chelmsford City.
Chelmsford City fell to a midweek defeat against Bath City at Twerton Park after conceding two second half goals.
The Clarets got off to a perfect start when Jake Hyde scored his fifth goal of the season in the 26th minute. Hyde latched onto Archie Tamplin’s terrific cross from the right-hand side to put City ahead.
Robbie Simpson’s side had further chances to extend their lead before Bath City’s 62nd-minute leveller, but both Hyde and Kane Crichlow were denied by Romans goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards, who made some crucial saves across the game.
The hosts capitalised on City’s missed opportunities, striking twice in the final 30 minutes. Luke Russe scored an unconventional overhead kick in the 62nd minute to equalise, before Ollie Tomlinson bundled the ball home from a corner in the 82nd minute to put Bath City ahead.
Simpson made four changes to the starting XI from Saturday’s game against Chesham United, with Frankie Edwards, Tamplin, Charlie Ruff and Hyde all returning to the lineup.
The match, played in a cool evening temperature in the West Country, sprang to life after the 20 minute mark. A free kick won by Jordan Alves was taken by the attacker, but Ted Collins managed to palm the effort away. Scott Wilson was on hand to tap in the rebound, but the goal was ruled out due to an offside offence.
City responded quickly to this scare. Just four minutes later, Hyde put them ahead with a well-timed header from Tamplin’s precise cross to the back post. Hyde’s head calmly guided the ball past Wiles-Richards and into the net.
The Clarets grew in confidence after taking the lead and had further chances to extend their advantage before half-time. Hyde came close again shortly after his goal, combining with Crichlow inside the penalty area before seeing his shot tipped around the post by Wiles-Richards.
Wiles-Richards was also equal to an effort by Crichlow just before the break. Ruff, Hyde and Crichlow linked up well in the final third, with the Bermudian’s shot from a tight angle being saved by the goalkeeper.
City’s pressure continued into the second half, but Wiles-Richards was again on hand to keep Bath in the game. Crichlow was denied for a second time after being put through on goal by Ruff’s through ball.
Hyde also came close to scoring a brace moments before Bath’s equaliser. The forward anticipated a ball over the top from Sam Oguntayo and got on the end of it, but Wiles-Richards made another key stop.
The hosts then equalised in the 62nd minute. City failed to deal with a dangerous cross from Elliott Frear, and the ball dropped to Russe in the penalty area. Russe reacted quickes and hooked the ball over his head, into the far corner of the net.
Darren Way’s sode grew in confidence after drawing level and took the lead in the 82nd minute. City failed to clear Joe Raynes’ corner, and Tomlinson bundled the ball home from close range, sending it beyond Collins and the defenders in front of goal.
After conceding late on, City couldn’t find a way back into the game and were forced to head back to Essex with nothing to show for their long trip to Somerset. The Clarets now turn their focus to Saturday’s National League South trip to Farnborough.
Bath City XI: Wiles-Richards (GK); Raynes, Greenslade, Parselle (C), Wilson, Frear (Batten 88′), Tillson, Russe, Alves (Clark 54′), Tomlinson, Ash (Nwabueze 74′).
Unused substitutes: Sweeten, Horsell.
Yellow cards: Tillson 87′, Raynes 90′.
Chelmsford City XI: Collins (GK); Rye, Edwards, Barbrook (Bland 85′), Oguntayo; Blackman (Donaldson 70′), Tamplin; Wilkinson (Penney 70′), Ruff (C), Crichlow; Hyde.
Unused substitutes: Barnum-Bobb, Appiah
Yellow cards: Barbrook 20′, Blackman 50′, Edwards 51′
Match officials: Jake Allsopp (Referee), Thomas Green (Assistant Referee), Simon Mitchem (Assistant Referee), Jake Woolley (Fourth Official).
Attendance: 778
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