Raynes signs ‘easy’ contract to lengthen stay at Romans
Joe Raynes was first to admit it wasn’t a vintage Bath City performance last Saturday in the draw with Truro. He said: “We didn’t play our best football. At times we were lumping it and not playing through the lines. “Despite that, I thought we were all over them, obviously that late goal is a kick in the teeth.” He accepted responsibility for Truro’s leveller, having been robbed in possession which started the move for Tyler Harvey’s goal. Raynes added: “My mistake, I held my hands up to the boys, they’ve gone and nicked it and put it in. It’s one of those. We said in the changing rooms that we can’t play our best game every week. “It’s difficult, especially as you’re 1-0 up heading into the last ten minutes. It’s a tough one to take for the boys.” For the second week running, City headed into the closing stages with a goal lead. Against Slough, James Morton’s inspired finish sealed the success, but this week Truro showed more canniness going forward late on, though the 23-year-old was confident they’d hold on for another win. Raynes said: “I don’t really think they had many chances other than the goal and one nicked over the bar. “Apart from that, I didn’t think they had that much of a threat.” Raynes has been a regular in the Romans’ starting XI this term, with 34 appearances having switched from Frome Town in the summer, where he was their player of the season. Since arriving, he’s been utilised in defence and midfield, and on Friday signed a contract to extend his stay at Twerton Park, having initially been on trial last summer. Raynes said: “It’s been good, the lads have been very good to me. Jerry and Jim have faith in playing me every week. “It’s nice to learn each position. Obviously you really want to cement your place in one, but if I can help the team in others I’m happy to do that. “Easy one [contract] to sign. Jerry and Jim have been good to me from day one so easy one to sign that was.” The camaraderie in the squad has helped Raynes enjoy his stay. He added: “Everyone’s relaxed, we’ve been doing really well in training. All the boys are buzzing, bouncing around the changing rooms. Obviously it’s a point today, it’s not like we’ve lost the game. “It’s a kick in the teeth, two points lost, but I’m sure we’ll put that right next week and go again. “We can start another run now. We’ve won last week, drawn today, if we can put it right next week I’m sure we’ll be fine.” A 1,408 attendance for Family Day helped generate a positive atmosphere on Saturday, with City’s crowds averaging just under 1,100 at home in the league. Raynes’ family made up some of that figure again, also supporting his cousin, Harvey Wiles-richards, City’s backup stopper. Born in Bath and having represented the Academy side in his younger years, Raynes is often treated to a chorus of “he’s one of our own”. He said: “It’s great for us, it makes it much better for us, getting behind us players. “It’s nice. My family come away to be fair, they come to most games, as well as some friends. It’s really nice to have them there. The versatile player had his impressive form recognised recently. Alongside Robbie Cundy, he represented an FA XI, managed by England C boss Paul Fairclough, in a match against a Herefordshire FA XI to celebrate the latter’s 125year anniversary. Raynes said: “It was a great honour to walk out in an England shirt but that’s now gone. It’s time to dig deep in these last ten games and solidify ourselves in the play-offs.”