Watkins: Darts clash sets City benchmark
If Dartford are the best National League South has to offer, Andy Watkins says Bath City should fear nobody in the division. The Romans were edged out 2-1 by the visitors in Saturday’s home opener, despite having taken the lead through Adam Mann’s edgeof-the-box strike. The Kent outfit are placed in at second favourites to win the title behind Billericay Town by most bookies, and Watkins believes if that comes true come late April, City will be right up there too. “If that’s the best there is in the league I don’t think we’ve got anything to fear,” he told the Chronicle. “They’ve lost a couple; they’ve lost their best striker, and the other lad’s broken his leg, so they’re a player or two down. “It’ll be interesting to see where they finish up. If they’re up and around it then we will be as well. “Just looking at some of the results today Billericay have gone and won 4-0 at Truro, that gives them a good start, and Concord won, I see they’ve made a few signings. “I think the league will be a lot stronger this year and a lot tougher, and hopefully we’re at the right end.” Mann’s opener, which arrived after he skipped away from two defenders, came amid a strong opening half-hour for City, before Dartford made one of a host of setpieces pay with Elliot Bradbrook’s header in first-half stoppage time. But the second period City were lacklustre, unable to get their passing game going as the Darts hustled and harried. Watkins sliced one chance, Sean Rigg had a firm drive tipped over and Ross Stearn was blocked from six yards following up John Mills’ saved effort. And Dartford stole the game late on with a penalty from Delano Sam-yorke, who latched on to a poor Stearn backpass and was brought down rounding keeper Ryan Clarke. Minutes earlier the hosts thought they had got away with one, when a contentious handball was given against Robbie Cundy in the box, only for Bradbrook to blaze a horrific penalty over the bar. “First half we played the way we have been the last season or so,” Watkins reflected. “We played some good football and got the ball moving well, and obviously got the first goal. “Then second half we definitely went long ball and got sucked into their style of play, and they were better at it than us, ultimately.” While Roman veteran Watkins was making his sixth opening day start in City colours, there were five debutants alongside him, plus Mills stepping off the bench. “Every season there’s always five or six new faces and it does take a couple of games, three or four probably, for everyone to blend in,” he said. “Obviously we’ve had the preseason friendlies, but it’s completely different there to the first game of the season. “It’s fast, ferocious. It’s anyone’s game. As you’ve seen in the last few seasons we’ve lost to poorer sides than us. “Dartford were obviously a strong side, but I don’t think they’re as good as last year and it’s a disappointment for us.” Watkins added: “For a few of the boys that have stepped up it was probably a bit different for them, but they were brilliant. “Adam Mann was superb, I thought Joe Raynes had a great game at full-back, he looks a really good addition, and we will get stronger. “It’s just a disappointment we’ve conceded the penalty in the last couple of minutes.” Plenty of attacking talent was added over the summer, hoped to fill the goalscoring void City lacked last term. With a stronger all-round squad, there is more competition for a spot in the line-up. “Everyone’s place is up for grabs now,” Watkins said. “There’s quality in every position and if you have a bad game you’re going to be out. “You look at the quality on the bench, Millsy’s come on, who scored 30-odd goals last season and Matty Richards has played hundreds of league games, Frank is on the bench. “There’s a lot of quality and a lot of good players there that can step in and make the difference. That will be really, really important as the season goes on.”