BATH CITY
STADIUM
The Romans play at Twerton Park, with a capacity of 8,840. They initially played at Innox Park before moving to Twerton Park in 1932. They did have another tenant between 1986-1996 as Bristol Rovers played there too. Rovers have since played their football at the Memorial Ground, their home for the past 27 years.
LAST SEASON’S MEETINGS
Bath City 0-1 Chelmsford City (1st November 2022) – On the run up to the FA Cup first round, a midweek trip to Somerset saw the Clarets face the Romans. They were coming in having done the double over Jerry Gill’s side last season, and took another win. It was a close fought game, but Harry Lodovica pounced on a loose ball, smashing home to score the games only goal. It was a late trip back, but with 3 points as Robbie’s men travelled back to Essex with the win.
Chelmsford City 0-2 Bath City (4th February 2023) – As the Clarets hit some turbulent form, Jerry Gill’s men managed to take advantage and take 3 points back to Somerset. An early Scott Wilson strike got the Romans rolling, as they led in Essex. Despite numerous chances, the Clarets never hit the back of the net. Ultimately, they paid the prices as Tom Smith made an appearance from the bench and put the icing on the cake for Bath, striking past Jacob Marsden with 3 minutes to go.
A FEW CLUB LINKS
Carl Pentney has featured for both sides. Starting at Leicester, he joined Colchester where he had loan spells at both Chelmsford and Bath. He joined Bath City, who were in the Conference Premier, on a one-month loan as cover for Ryan Robinson who had picked up an injury. After his debut, the loan was extended for a second month in December 2010. Pentney then signed for the Clarets on loan until the end of the 2010–11 season in March 2011. After other spells, he first returned to Chelmsford in 2013, making 34 appearances. 6 years later, in 2019, he came back to make anther 17. He has since retired and is currently an academy coach at Ipswich Town.
THE MANAGER
A man who knows Bath well, Jerry Gill, is in charge of the Romans. Typically a right-back, he played 6 years down in Somerset, making over 160 appearances. He has replicated the length of his stint in the dugout, having managed since October 2017, marking 6 years this coming year. His results were looking good initially, as he finished 9th, 5th, and 4th in his first 3 seasons. Since then, 3 lower finishes have followed with consecutive 18th places and 11th last season.
2022-23 SEASON
Off the back of an 18th placed finish, Gill and his men managed to improve, jumping 7 places up the league. An 11th placed finish was not terrible, with an incredibly competitive season seeing the playoff chase heat up every week. Some of their closing results did not go their way, seeing them finish 7 point behind Braintree, who occupied the final playoff space. However, Bath ended the 2022/23 season in style, with a 4-1 win over Paulton Rovers at the Optima Stadium, to lift the Somerset Premier Cup.
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