Month begins with a visit to injury-hit Havant
Bath City commence December with a trip to Havant & Waterlooville in National League South (KO 3pm).
Paul Doswell’s side were knocked out of the FA Trophy on Saturday, losing 1-0 at Slough Town to end a three-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Aaron Kuhl’s penalty decided the tie, awarded after he was upended by Paul Rooney, who was sent off for a professional foul.
It means Rooney will be suspended this Saturday, adding to Doswell’s list of absentees.
Ross Worner, Manny Adebowale, Sam Magri, Alex Wall and Scott Rendell all missed last weekend’s defeat. Malta international Magri was stretchered off in an FA Cup 1st Round defeat at Charlton Athletic in a match where the Hawks were only able to name four of nine substitutes allocated. Their injury crisis was highlighted further when reserve goalkeeper Charlie Searle was forced to appear from the bench and play the final 10 minutes as a striker at the Valley in a 4-0 defeat.
Havant were the visitors to Twerton Park in what proved to be the final match of last season for the Romans. Tom Mehew and Tom Smith helped Jerry Gill’s men race into a 2-0 lead, before Roarie Deacon pulled one back before the interval. Bedsente Gomis squandered a leveller after the break when his weak penalty was easily saved by Ryan Clarke.
Bath’s last visit to West Leigh Park in November 2019 also included penalty drama. Noah Chilvers’ kick was saved by Worner before Adam Mann headed City ahead. The Hawks turned it around after the break through goals from substitute Alfie Rutherford and a Danny Kedwell penalty. Both sides finished the season in the play-offs, each losing their eliminator ties at home.
City will be without Tom Richards with an ankle ligament injury. Josh Owers is also a doubt. Dave Sims-burgess could be included in the squad for the first time having signed from Yate – he was cup-tied for the weekend’s FA Trophy loss to Dartford.