Tier 4 Sports up next after Trophy given elite status

Bath City’s reward for easing past Swindon Supermarine is a home tie with Southern Premier Central outfit Peterborough Sports in round four of the Buildbase FA Trophy.

Jimmy Dean’s men recovered from 2-1 down to beat Northern Premier high-fliers Basford United 3-2 on Saturday, and have scored 16 goals in this year’s competition, the most by any team.

The ambitious Cambridgeshire club were well set for a second successive promotion before COVID19 declared their season null and void last March, and there are fears that the tie could be in jeopardy with non-elite Peterborough Sports falling within tier 4 of government restrictions.

Manager Jerry Gill was happy with a potential home draw, which would be a first meeting between the sides.

“If we carry on the good form we’re in at the moment any team will find it difficult to beat us at Twerton Park,” he said.

“I’m not saying by any means this is an easy one because any opposition at this stage will be tough. We know they will be because of their past couple of seasons.

“Their possible lack of football going into the game could be key, as it was with Swindon Supermarine.

“The quicker we can get into our flow and patterns it’ll be better for us. We’re always difficult to play against when it’s like that.

“Hopefully we’ll have some fans in as well depending on what else is happening in the world.”

The tie is scheduled for Saturday January 16, which means the Romans’ home National League South match with St Albans City would need to be re-arranged.

The winners of the fourth round clash would collect £5,250 in prize money, in addition to the £8,250 City have already pocketed for their two wins to date.

The losers would take a consolation £1,500.