Overnight stay makes for a dream result on Saturday
A rare overnight stay proved to be a vital ingredient as Bath City staved off any relegation fears with a win at Billericay Town.
It was back-to-back away wins in a row for the Romans for the first time since February 2020 and Gill was quick to thank the board of directors who helped fund a hotel stopover in Hemel Hempstead, 75 minutes from Billericay’s New Lodge home.
Rather than depart early on Saturday morning and create another six-hour one-way journey for four Devon based players, the team travelled up on Friday afternoon and departed Hemel at midday Saturday.
“We thought about it a few weeks back because we knew how pivotal this game would be,” said Gill, reflecting on the first time during his tenure that his side had not travelled on the day and back for an away game.
“It was great. You guys (the club’s media department) saw what we were about. We were very professional. It unites everyone.
“We can’t do it all the time but I want to thank the board for supporting me.
“What we’ve shown is if we come together as a group, the whole club, it’s amazing what you can achieve.”
On the pitch, City found Billericay difficult to deal with early on before eventually overcoming a one-goal deficit to see the Blues off.
“I’ve got to give credit to Billericay,” said Gill.
“We did a presentation this morning in the hotel and they did the complete opposite to what we thought.
“Danny (Brown) has taken over and it’s difficult for him, but he’s clearly told his players to go and express themselves. They came out of the blocks so quickly, the midfield rotations were great. It was difficult to play against.
“But we got through it and it was a really good professional performance.
“It’s so pleasing to get the result. A major relief.”
The game was locked at 1-1 before Ben Seymour’s introduction on 54 minutes.
“I think it’s the first time my substitution has worked within seconds,” Gill laughed, as Seymour won a penalty almost immediately after his arrival which Cody Cooke stroked home.
“We weren’t going to stay with that XI all the way through. We were thinking about a tweak and a change. We felt as if Fletch (Alex Fletcher) down the right-hand side and Ben Seymour down the middle would cause problems.
“Ben has reacted quickest to a situation which led to another pressure penalty converted by Cody Cooke.
“The players were all exemplary. We kept to our shape and distances, all what we discussed in the morning.
“We knew second half they’d get some possession, but we also knew if we kept shifting up they’d put long balls down the sides which Ryan (Clarke) could take because his starting position is so good.
“They weren’t hurting us and the key to that is the back four. They were fantastic.”
With safety assured, Gill can start planning for the 2022/23 season in National League South.
The division will be expanded to 24 clubs with four relegation spots, an increase of three on both counts to the current campaign.
“There are many things I’ve wanted to do but I had to be respectful to where we were in the league,” Gill admitted.
“I couldn’t tell the board ‘this is what I want.’
“We had discussions, now we can sit down and plan.
“We’re not going to rest on our laurels. We want to win these two home games and have a major cup final against a huge rival which is really good for us to enjoy.
“Players are playing for contracts and have their own individual targets.”
Gill highlighted the 0-0 draw with Dulwich as a turning point in his team’s revival.
It was the start of three clean sheets in four matches and a game where his side played 76 minutes a man light against their play-off chasing opponents following Jack Batten’s early dismissal.
“Jack’s sending off at home actually galvanised everyone,” said Gill.
“You saw us come together and the spirit in the group. You saw how well we had to defend against Dulwich with ten men.
“We then just took that on, we kept the messages the same. The group were really strong, they fought that day and they have ever since – for themselves, me and the Football Club.
“They deserve this tonight and enjoy these games.
“We’re not going to jump off the rooftops and celebrate because we know we want to do better.
An ex player said to me – this (surviving relegation) is probably your biggest achievement because when you’re really digging in and can’t find a win, everyone can down tools because it’s difficult.
“We’ll be more relaxed for sure but we still want to win them.”