MATCH PREVIEW | BATH CITY V OXFORD CITY
Oxford City make the journey to Somerset for the final fixture of the Vanarama National League South’s regular campaign, and with an all-important third-placed finish up for grabs.
COUNTDOWN TO KICK-OFF
The Hoops travel to Twerton Park off the back of a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Havant and Waterlooville last time out, but will remain buoyed by the opportunity to seal a spot in the VNLS' play-off semi-finals.
LAST TIME OUT:
City got themselves off to a dream start after just seven minutes, when a pinpoint pass from Tom Harrison found the onrushing Josh Parker, who composed himself before slotting home for his first Hoops goal.
Things got even better for the Hoops no more than 13 minutes later, when the hosts were awarded a penalty after Aaron Williams-Bushell was tripped in the area. Klaidi Lolos duly converted from the spot, sending Joe Wright the wrong way to double City’s lead.
Having dominated the first 45 minutes of proceedings, it was City who were dealt a shocking blow in the second half, as the visitors miraculously drew level with three goals in the space of eight minutes.
Bath’s comeback was initiated not long after the hour mark, when Rex Mannings danced past Ashby before letting fly from the edge of the area, his effort finding the bottom corner with the help of a deflection.
Five minutes later, and it was Alex Fletcher who found himself in acres of space behind the City backline with just Dudzinski to beat, the striker’s first-time finish reduced the deficit to just one.
The visitors’ unlikely comeback was complete just three minutes after, in the 70th minute, with Cody Cooke converting from 12 yards after Canice Carroll was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
FORM:
BATH CITY
Form: L L W L W
Bath, unlike their opponents City, head into the season’s final fixture without their play-off fate at stake.
The Romans, under Jerry Gill, have improved considerably on their 18th-placed finish of last term, but currently sit 12th - comfortably clear of the relegation scrap but eight points short of the top seven.
Despite their general improvement this season, this weekend’s hosts have somewhat faltered towards the campaign’s finish line, with five defeats in their last seven matches.
That run of games saw Gill’s side face off against a number of teams around them, with the opportunity to solidify a play-off push, but his men could only manage wins against Concord Rangers and Hungerford Town.
OXFORD CITY
Form: W L W W D
The Hoops continue to prove themselves as a difficult side to beat, having lost just once in their previous nine matches, away to league champions Ebbsfleet United.
With two wins and nine goals in their last three, the Hoops will be hoping to finish the regular season on a high at Bath City on Saturday, after the frustrating draw at home to Havant and Waterlooville last weekend.
City, who currently sit third in VNLS, know that a win on the final day would secure that coveted play-off position, as well as the avoidance of an eliminator fixture. Equal on points with Chelmsford in fourth, the Hoops hold the advantage when it comes down to goal difference, with a nine-goal gap.
ONE TO WATCH: Scott Wilson
A prolific Non-League striker, Scott Wilson currently sits joint-fifth in the National League South scoring charts for 2022/23, with 17 goals.
The 30-year-old, who came through the ranks at Championship side Bristol City, has experience across the English divisions, with notable spells at Eastleigh, Macclesfield Town, Oldham Athletic and Notts County.
Wilson returned for a second stint with Bath City last July, having previously played for the club nine years ago. Stepping down a division from National League outfit Dagenham and Redbridge, the striker has found success this year for the Romans, and with five goals in his last three matches, will no doubt be one for the City defence to contend with.
THE GAFFER'S THOUGHTS:
“They’ve got loads of strengths that we need to be careful of, but I wouldn’t say they’re on their holidays because that’s sort of a curse as I think they’d always want to finish the season strongly at home being in front of their fans, so we have to be prepared for a fully fit team in Bath.”
Jenkins added, “It’s dangerous to say that they’ve got nothing to play for. We’ve learnt that in the past every club and every team has something to play for whether it’s the end of the season or not.”
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