Scoring prowess could be a worry for Romans defence
Bath City will have to get to grips with the country’s leading goalscorers in this season’s FA Trophy competition as they finally return to action this Saturday.
Peterborough Sports have reached the last 32 for the first time in their history having netted 16 in four ties against sides at their level.
Having averaged an eye-watering 104 goals per season between 2013/14 and last year’s campaign, City know their defence will have to be at their best against Jimmy Dean’s men.
Although the Romans have the cushion of sitting one division above Sports, they’re facing a side on the up and could easily have been at the same level as Bath this term.
Last season, Peterborough were in contention for a remarkable fifth promotion since 2013 before the COVID-19 pandemic saw all nonelite football for season 2019/20 declared null and void. They sat top of Southern Premier Central with nine matches remaining, albeit having played three games more than nearest challengers Tamworth and Royston Town.
It was their first season at that level having flown through the pyramid. In 2012 they were in the
Peterborough & District League, playing Stilton United and Parson Drove 92 on largely roped off pitches with no assistant referees provided. Effectively that’s one division below Western League Division One, it’d be similar to City coming up against Chilcompton Sports or Westfield in the next couple of years.
Historically the difference between the two clubs is vast. Peterborough have experienced six FA Cup campaigns, City 103. Saturday is Peterborough’s 11th FA Trophy fixture, City have been in every competition since its inception in 1969, this will be there 149th tie.
In the present era, we’re in banana skin territory. In the last two seasons, the Turbines (earning the nickname because they formed in 1908 as Brotherhoods Engineering Works, famed for designing and manufacturing the first steam turbine engine in the world) have knocked a National League North side out of the FA Cup, defeating Boston United in 2018 and Guiseley 15 months ago.
They have every reason to be confident – 742 goals in 277 league matches since 2013 is a magnificent return, an average of 2.25 per match.
They’ve been able to attract a decent calibre of player to Lincoln Road, a stadium largely revamped during their rise. Defender Johnny
Herd was part of the Southend United side that held Chelsea to a draw in the FA Cup in 2009.
Dion Sembie-ferris spent four years at Colchester and has scored four in their trophy run. Maniche Sani plundered a hat-trick in their 1st round 5-1 win over AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The former Benfica under-19 forward recently signed a contract until May 2022 and will be hoping to add to his eight goals this season.
That might only be possible if Peterborough win on Saturday. Dean’s men haven’t played a league fixture since 17 October and the likelihood of squeezing in their remaining 36 is slim to nil. They’ve played more cup games (7) than league (6) this season.
The Peterborough boss is urging the Trident League boards to not null and void a campaign for a second year running, offering an idea splitting the divisions regionally and encourage fans back when feasible.
He told the Non-league Paper: “People don’t want to be locked away all the time. My life is family and football.” An announcement over the situation should be made next month with non-elite football suspended until the first week of March at the earliest.
Their latest break could threaten building some momentum. The Sports have won their last five and their only defeat in the previous nine was at Banbury in the FA Cup on penalties. Their first ever meeting with Bath City will be their first fixture in four weeks since they recovered from 2-1 down to defeat Basford United 3-2 in the third round.
With the competition gaining elite status it has allowed the Bedfordshire club to train during the national lockdown, which would have been in doubt with Peterborough placed in tier 4 before the government’s increased precautions came into force at the start of the year.
Having played their first three fixtures of this competition in front of crowds, for the second round running they’ll be at an empty arena with supporters relying on a streaming service to cheer on their side from some 155 miles away.
Last year Peterborough’s FA Trophy journey ended against National League North side Kettering Town in a 3-0 defeat against a side a division above.
Jerry Gill will be hoping his afternoon will be as comfortable but any lapses of concentration could easily see the Turbines blow them away at Twerton Park.
With an extra £5,250 up for grabs for the winners, and the knowledge of matches for the foreseeable, you can expect a highly-charged contest in Somerset this weekend.