Smith hungry for goals on return to Romans’ squad
Returning loanee Tom Smith is eyeing more Bath City goals after opening his 2018/19 account against Lewes. The 20-year-old bagged the third and final goal of the Romans’ FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday win, finishing through the keeper’s legs. After drawing rave reviews with 11 goals in his 30 games over two loan spells at Twerton Park last term, Smith is eager to get as close as he can to that total – if not overcome it. “Coming from last season I scored loads of goals, so I’ve come back here to do the same; score a few goals if not more,” he said. “Obviously after the last game, getting my match fitness back, it was nice to get back on the scoresheet and give something back to the fans.” Before Smith had got on the scoresheet with 20 minutes to play, Ryan Brunt and Adam Mann had struck. Brunt’s opener, converting a Ross Stearn cross from the left, came a second before the 45 minute-mark following a closely fought first half against Isthmian League Lewes. But the second half was a different story as the Romans stepped up and took full control, Man doubling the advantage by nutmegging a defender and driving into the bottom corner, before Smith killed the contest. “After the first half we needed to sort a few things out; the tactics and formation,” the Cheltenham loanee said. “It was nice to put it right in the second half and collectively we were better. “The organisation, and we were more aggressive in the second half, and I that showed with the two goals in the end, and I think we could have got more. “To be honest, I don’t think we really deserved the goal in the first half, but it was really nice to get the goal on the stroke of half-time. “That led us nicely into the second half, a little bit of confidence. Going into the second half we built on that, having spoken about the areas we needed to improve on.” There were a number of new faces for Smith to meet upon his return to the club, with all of Jerry Gill’s summer recruits improving the squad. He said: “Jerry’s had more time with the players and brought in a lot of new players as well. “I’ve kept in touch with Jerry as well, and seen them play when I haven’t been here. “The style is still the same but the calibre of players brought in is much better and it’s nice to fit into that. “The competition’s gone up. We’ve got better players in this year and there’s competition for places, so you need to be on the ball every time you go out and you need to be performing.” Smith originally joined on loan from Swindon Town last term, but was released in the summer. City were among those interested in his signature, but Smith chose to remain in full-time football with League Two Cheltenham Town. But chances for the youngster have been few and far between, particularly with Gary Johnson replaced in the dugout by Robins legend Michael Duff early in the season. As such, Smith is delighted to be getting senior action with the Romans. “The situation was that I was’t getting in the squad [at Cheltenham],” he explained. “I had a chat with him [Duff ] and for me, at my age, I need to be getting out and playing games. It’s a similar situation to last season. “There’s a big squad at Cheltenham, never say never there, but this current situation I need to be playing games and I’m at my best when I play.” Though Smith has featured for Cheltenham’s development outfit, nothing compares to competitive, men’s football. He added: “I’ve played a couple of development games, out of position though. “It’s not really what I want to be doing in terms of match minutes. Obviously it’s not the best; it’s more fitness. “It’s nice to get a few 90 minutes, but it doesn’t compare to 90 minutes in centre-mid out there in Conference South.”