Season on verge of being delayed
National League meeting today after Tuesday’s announcement
Bath City’s National League South campaign could be delayed after the announcement made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to postpone allowing fans to attend football matches for potentially six months.
That has led to the National League board to call a meeting today to discuss to possibilities of a league start and the potential catastrophic financial impact the news could have on its clubs, with a delay to the start of the season rumoured to be a big discussion point.
The news arrived shortly before Bath travelled to Yeovil Town after the original fixture had been switched from Twerton Park on Saturday to become a test event, with around 600 spectators allowed in Huish Park to witness the game.
It proved to be the Romans’ first defeat of pre-season.
After an even 25 minutes, Josh Staunton put the Glovers ahead nine minutes before the break, beating goalkeeper Will Henry from 12 yards, before Luke Wilkinson doubled the advantage three minutes into the second half.
City largely struggled against a well-organised defence apart from a cross-shot from a Bath trialist which saw Tom Smith hit the post from close range, but he was flagged offside.
Yeovil rounded off proceedings in the 67th minute when Albi Skendi hit a scorcher from 25-yards.
Bath did create a couple of chances to grab a consolation but the game did end on a positive note for the Romans as Jack Batten returned for ten minutes after a 14-month absence with a serious knee injury.
The Romans are now due to welcome Torquay United on Saturday after finding where the National League stands.
Before the news, Bath had joined the National League is asking for crowds of 1,000 to be allowed in to stadiums for the season’s due start on October 3 after taking strenuous efforts to prepare for the campaign alongside its business model, including employment, on the ability of letting in paid supporters.
Bath were also able to announce two new loan signings in the shape of Tommy Conway and James Taylor. Both arrive from Bristol City on season-long loans and were in the squad on Tuesday.
Conway is a forward, while Taylor operates in defence.
Manager Jerry Gill said: “I am excited to have the two young lads on board.
“I have watched their progress over the last two seasons and, having had successful loan spells at Southern League Premier level, I feel they are ready to make an impact at National League South.”