Romans are back to winning ways
Fifth successive home victory puts the smiles back on the faces
Bath City boss Jerry Gill admitted he had some nerves heading into Saturday’s clash with Slough Town.
But in the end he needn’t have worried at all as inspired finishes from Freddie Hinds and James Morton gave Bath a deserved success.
It was the Romans’ first home game since the stunning 3-2 success against Torquay United, owing to the postponement of their game against Hampton & Richmond Borough.
In the end, it proved an inspired homecoming for City,
“I’ll be honest, I had a bit of nerves in me,” Gill said. “I felt a bit strange before the game because we haven’t been back here for such a long time. I said in my pre-match that it was good to be back.
“In a strange way, really. Obviously, you get nervous before games, but because we’d lost a couple it does effect people. Staff as well as players.
“It was an all-round really pleasing performance.”
Inspired goalkeeping from Jack Turner and wayward finishing from the Romans meant it took until Morton’s 91st-minute goal to settle the contest.
“The game should have been put to bed, it should have been four or five,” Gill said. “I thought the front three set the tone with their pressing.
“I challenged the three strikers and said if one drops in short, the other two must go in beyond.
“They [Slough] looked high, it looked like we were going to get in around the sides because of their lack of pace a lot in the game, but we didn’t do it enough.
“Freddie’s was a great goal, really good composure. A lot of people would have tried to beat the goalkeeper as he came out in a one-vone but he manipulates the ball really well.
“On a bobbly goalmouth he was still having to dribble it right in because I’m thinking ‘please don’t miss from four or five yards,’ like Ronny Rosenthal, if you like.
“Good forward runs, good pace; he deserved that goal. Two in two at home for him which is really good for his confidence.”
James Morton chipped in, literally, with his first City goal in his 42nd outing, something which pleased the boss, who praised his contribution to the season.
“Fantastic for James Morton to score a wonderful goal,” Gill said. “He’s a player of real culture, he’s got a wand of a left foot.
“Perhaps that’s [goals] a little bit he needs to add to his game. He gets pigeon-holed into a holding midfielder, but he can go forward.
“Great execution of the technique. To see it and execute it.
“He sees passes and moments that a lot of other people don’t see. He’s a real talent, I’m really pleased for James to get that goal.”
Ryan Clarke collected his 15th clean sheet of the season on the back of five conceded in two. Improvement from the back was stressed upon in the build-up.
Gill said: “We touched on it all week. We spoke about leadership, players taking control out on the pitch, which we can’t do.
“It means being confident in what you’re doing, whether you’re going to get on the ball or confidence to make that forward run.
“We never looked like we were going to make a mistake today.
“I thought Ryan Clarke in goal was outstanding, came for every cross and took it solid like he’d been doing a few weeks ago. That set the tone as well for the back three.
“Joe Romanski’s dropped in there and done terrifically for us. Those three worked well together.”
Two training sessions proved vital for the visit of the Rebels.
“We’ve had a really good week,” Gill reflected. “The week has won this game.
“Really good analysis session on Tuesday. It was player-led, the session. Then into Thursday where it was really sharp. Lot’s of finishing work, which we need to hone in on a little bit.
“It was difficult losing two games, but we didn’t sit away from the process, we said that things need to stay the same.”
Saturday sees Truro City visit Twerton Park. Despite troubles off the field, they’ve shown determination at the bottom to pull away from the drop zone, and have former Roman Tyler Harvey among their ranks, who celebrated his 20th goal of the season on Saturday. He netted in the 1-1 draw between the clubs in October.
City have won their last five at home, their best spell for four years, and Gill is keen to remain competitive in the top seven.
“They’re a well organised side, they’ll certainly come and fight for their lives,” the Romans supremo said. They’re scoring goals. They’re a difficult team to play against, like any team in this league. They’re all going to be difficult challenges for us.
“But we’re at home, where we’re in really good form. We’re confident; lets get a few more in here as well.
“The crowd were fantastic again today, they were key. Slough added to it, they were quite vocal.
“As I keep mentioning every single week, it’s about consolidating a play-off spot. “That’s our aim, that’s our target. Gill confirmed Leon Davies had returned to Cambridge United after his one-month loan deal had expired.