Grant’s late strike earns Bath a point at Chippenham

BATH City played out their first draw of the 2020-21 season in an eventful derby with Chippenham Town at Hardenhuish Park, which saw both sides end the game with ten men.

Playing down the considerable slope during the first half, the home side looked more threatening going forward.

An overhit cross from former Bath favourite Ross Stearn, which flew past Will Henry before hitting the inside of the post, almost gave them the lead midway through the half, but on 28 minutes luck was on their side, when Jack Batten diverted Eddie Jones’ cross over Henry into the net.

Chippenham were reduced to ten men in the 38th minute when Klaidi Lolos’ lunging challenge on Tom Mehew saw him see red.

With a man advantage, Bath enjoyed the majority of possession after the break but it was the Bluebirds who should have doubled their lead early in the half when Bradey Ash blazed over the crossbar after Stearn set him up with a great chance.

City’s patience finally paid off with 15 minutes left when Frankie Artus’ diagonal ball forward saw Freddie Grant outjump onrushing goalkeeperWill Puddy to head the ball into the goal.

The game looked to there for the taking now for the Romans but Chippenham stood firm and, with two minutes left, the numbers were evened up when Donovan Wilson was shown a red card after colliding with Puddy.

This gave the Bluebirds late hope of grabbing their first win over City since 2017 and Alex Bray almost did just that in stoppage-time only for Henry to produce a great save and ensure the points would be shared.