FINAL SCORE

Two timely interventions by Sean Rigg earned Bath City their third consecutive pre-season win. Former loanee Antoine Semenyo nearly opened the scoring after Jake Andrews had sprung the offside trap and delivered a cross for the forward, but his downward header was batted away by Ryan Clarke. Opposition keeper Alhaji Sesay kept his concentration to deny Ryan Brunt from close range after Kevin Amankwaah’s foray forward caused problems. Andrews tested the gloves of Clarke with a free-kick in the visitors’ last attack of the half, which looked destined to be goalless. Rigg had other ideas. Andy Watkins whipped in a cross from the right, and Rigg nipped in front of slipping defender Tom Harrison to thrash into the roof of the net. Tom Richards tried his luck from distance for the Robins, forcing Clarke to tip his effort around the post, before Marcus Day’s jinking run into the box preceded a dangerous ball towards goal that forced Dan Ball to flick behind. Chris Turner-williams also flashed a shot wide. Bath produced a flurry of chances themselves in a much more entertaining second half. Ross Stearn’s cross was headed back in by Brunt, with Adam Mann put off to prevent a tap-in. Sub Joe Raynes also tested replacement keeper James Carey, who spilled his initial effort but recovered to deny Brunt. On 68 minutes, the away side found a breakthrough as the fresh Vince Harper capitalised on a Matt Richards error and played in Tom Richards with a delightful through ball, which he dinked into the net via the far post. Sam Bell reacted on a stumble by Robbie Cundy and centred for Sam Pearson, but he arrowed his shot against the top of the bar when he should have tested Clarke. Bath soon squandered an ideal chance of their own. Mann’s low cross struck the hand of the sliding defender Bradley Webb at the near post, but Matt Richards’ tame spotkick was easily blocked by Carey. The experienced midfielder didn’t let this deter him, as he claimed an assist for the winner with seconds left. His precise corner was perfectly met by Rigg, who capped off a fine performance with a neat header, giving Carey no chance.