Mann pokes the winner for Bath
Romans win well as league is put on hold with Coronavirus
Adam Mann’s scrambled goal on the stroke of half-time clinched Bath City’s first win in three in their final outing for the foreseeable future.
The National League surprisingly gave the go-ahead to allow fixtures to go ahead on Saturday with Covid-19 spreading.
Neither team let it affect their preparation as a well-fought contest saw City deservedly pick up three points in front of Hungerford’s highest home attendance of the season.
With seven games remaining, City’s play-off berth now appears all but assured.
Jerry Gill kept faith with Harvey Wiles-richards in goal despite Ryan Clarke’s return to fitness, while recalling Frankie Artus and Tom Richards ahead of long-term injury victim Joe Raynes and Noah Chilvers.
Matt Jones headed Zidan Akers’ cross over from 10 yards as the hosts exerted some early pressure, but their persistence in playing out from the back nearly cost them on 20 minutes. James Rusby’s dreadful ball from defence found Mann on halfway, who charged forward but tamely rolled wide of Will Henry’s left-hand post.
Lloyd James tested the home keeper five minutes later when he concluded a free-kick routine by curling into the outstretched arms of the 21-year-old.
Sam Pearson was next to test the Town stopper’s reflexes as Mann’s floated ball set him free. Having been forced wide of goal, the keeper stood firm and batted away to safety.
Haphazard defending ultimately cost Hungerford the game. Dan Ball’s ball from the back saw Mike Jones and Henry dither under close attention from Mann.
The forward didn’t give up the chase and his efforts were rewarded as he nipped in to prod home from three yards.
After the break, Hungerford, shooting down the slope, won a collection of corners and longthrows but failed to test Wiles-richards.
The impressive Connor Rileylowe, who linked up well with Dan Martin down the left throughout, sent in a teasing ball which missed the onrushing Tom Smith by inches as Bath sought to seal victory.
It was nearly gifted to them with a minute left as Cameron Mcgilp put too much weight on his back pass to Henry, who just about recovered to clear with the ball agonisingly close to crossing the goalline.
Hungerford Town: Henry; G. Smith, Mike Jones (Ferdinand 63), Rusby; Tomlinson, Klukowski (Mcgrory 63), Graham, Mcglip, Matt Jones; Artwell, Akers. Subs not used: Maturino Da Silva, Rees, Bailey.
Bath City: Wiles-richards; Bowry, Ball, Riley-lowe; Richards (Z. Smith 75), James, Artus, Martin; T. Smith, Mann, Pearson (Brunt 46). Subs not used: Clarke, Chilvers, Simpson.
Referee: Scott Tallis
Attendance: 619
Star man: Connor Riley-lowe
Jerry Gill described Bath City’s 1-0 win at Hungerford as “job done” and admitted it could be their last outing for a while.
Adam Mann’s scrambled finish on 45 minutes separated the sides, and both sets of players were given a send-off afterwards to suggest that it will be a lengthy break as sport and society cope with the effects of Covid-19.
Gill paid tribute to those who made the journey to west Berkshire.
He said: “I have to send a special thank you to our fans – it can’t have been easy for them to decide whether to go or not. I don’t know if we’ll see them for the next couple of weeks.
“It’s been difficult in the last few days with what’s going on in the world. Today the players gave them a special thank you because it was a big decision to watch us today.
“Let’s hope everyone continues to be well throughout the next coming weeks. That’s the most important thing.
“Our focus is on families and friends being well – especially elderly parents, the most vulnerable people.
“Stay safe, stay well, and we’ll see you whenever we come back in.”
On the pitch, Gill described the win as a professional performance where Hungerford seldom tested Harvey Wiles-richards in goal.
Despite having defender Alex Hartridge missing after parent club Exeter City put all their players in confinement, the Romans were resilient to stop the bottom markers netting for only the sixth time this season.
“They haven’t caused us many problems. Harvey didn’t have a lot to do,” said Gill. “We did a professional job, really controlled as well.
“We had to change our shape a few times and had two banks of four in the end.
“We put young Zac Smith on – he’s never played at right back in his life.
“Tom Richards was completely out on his feet and we had to make the decision to take him off.
“He’s only trained a couple of times since his injury and operation. He’s done a terrific job at right wing back. These boys keep giving for us.”
Mann’s winner was his first goal in 14 matches as he capitalised on hesitation in the Hungerford defence to prod home from close range.
The City chief also dedicated the win to stricken Joe Raynes, who recently left hospital having broken his leg and fractured an ankle in a horrifying injury sustained against Weymouth last week.
“We spoke about three points for Joe today. He’s been a big part of where we are to date.
“I’ve seen him several times in hospital and a lot of our players have. He’s resting up at his mum’s for the time being.
“It was a scrappy goal from Manny, wasn’t it? Not one of those goal of the season contenders.” Gill laughed.
“He deserved it for his hard work. It doesn’t matter how we score them and it doesn’t matter how we win games.
“It was the most aggressive we’ve been when scoring that goal.
“We forced them backwards in the 18-yard box to cause some indecision between their centreback and goalkeeper.
“It was all about getting the win and making sure we’re in a strong position for what happens next.”
Bath ended the day in fourth, leapfrogging Slough Town, and assuming the season re-commences, a play-off spot is almost assured.
Gill, however, is keen for more. “We’re in a really strong position and we’re continuing to aim for second or third,” he said.
“It’s four wins, a draw and a loss from our last six games, which is a good run.
“Hopefully whenever we come back, we can build on it.”