Gill pleased to have gotten the job done against Town
Getting the job done was the main thought of Jerry Gill ahead of Saturday’s win over Shaftesbury.
The Wessex League outfit were bidding to reach the 3rd Qualifying Round for the first time in their history, while Bath were keen to avoid making headlines for the wrong reasons.
A solitary goal from Omar Holness eventually proved enough against the battling hosts, and set up a mouth-watering tie with Frome Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round.
“We should have been out of sight before that goal,” said Gill. “I know it was only 1-0 but we had a hatful of chances.
“I know everyone wants to see us score fours, fives and sixes but that doesn’t matter. I just want us to win the game.
“Shaftesbury went to a completely different shape to what I was expecting and basically asked us to break them down.
“You see top teams come up against opponents like that in the Premier League and it’s difficult to break down unless you have good ball speed and overloads in wide areas.
“We created one in the moment of quality for our goal. Eddie’s stuck up a really good cross and Omar’s had that desire and determination to head it and score.
“They’re not easy games. There were upsets in the FA Cup today – we wanted to make sure we weren’t one of them. The key objective was to be in the hat for the next round.”
Gill watched the Dorset club progress with an exciting attacking display in a 4-2 win over Highworth in a First Qualifying Round replay on their newly installed 3G pitch, and a week later he was in attendance as they lost their unbeaten start in all competitions this season at Brockenhurst.
On Saturday, Shaftesbury recorded one effort on target, just two minutes before the decisive goal at the other end.
“They threatened little,” said Gill. “They had one moment at 0-0 when you think ‘blimey – this could go against us after all that possession.’
“I watched them twice because I knew we had to be prepared. A lot of their players came across from Christchurch, who beat Gloucester last year and drew with Dulwich. A few of them are probably playing at a level lower than they should.
“The night we saw the pitch against Highworth there was a little bit of dew on it which made a huge difference.
“There’s a lot of rubber on it, which there has to be because it’s a new facility. It made the ball speed slow.
“When we wanted to quicken it up to switch play it travelled slow, so it allowed them to come back and regain their shape, shutting off passing lines.
“They had to have a mindset to do it. Their management team should be really proud of their players.
“You can see they prepare properly. If people are doing things properly I quite enjoy it. I like to think we pride ourselves on doing things properly.
“Full credit to all those at Shaftesbury. I hope they have a successful season and use today as a positive going forward in their league campaign.”
Gill was full of positives for one of his players, too. Holness became the first substitute to score for Bath since last year’s 2nd Qualifying Round win over Winchester City, when Tom Richards netted the winner in a 3-2 success at Twerton Park.
“Omar epitomises what Bath City are about,” said Gill, who left him out following Saturday’s win over Braintree. “He’s a fantastic professional – trains as well as anyone, always wants to improve, always asking questions tactically.
“He thanked me for letting him know he wasn’t starting. He went on and had a positive effect. I’m really pleased he’s got his goal.
“The FA Cup means a lot to a lot of people. I’ve had good runs in it with Bath City – the Hereford tie live on Sky, taking Northampton to a replay and Cardiff away where I scored at Ninian Park.
“I want to try and get some memories for these boys to keep and tell their kids.
“Unless you have the right mindset in these early rounds you’ll never get that glory at the end of it.
“On paper it could have been quite a slippery one, but in the end we’ve done a professional job.”
Maidstone United negotiated Step 4 opponents in the FA Cup on Saturday by winning 3-1 at Chichester City, and head to Twerton unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday,” said Gill. “We have a bit of momentum having won our last two. It’ll be a very tough game, they’re a very athletic side. They’re second in the league for a reason.
“It’s time for us to show people what we’re about again at Twerton.”