Fletcher seals comeback for ‘dominant’ Romans
Goals from Dan Hayfield and Alex Fletcher saw City recover from 1-0 down to collect a wellearned three points at Tonbridge Angels.
The Romans trailed at the break after Jeremy Santos’ curler was parried by Ryan Clarke straight to Louis Collins, who side-footed home.
Santos was forced off just before half-time with a hamstring injury, which proved costly as his invention was missed, while two substitutions in City’s favour paid off.
Rex Mannings was involved in Hayfield’s strike while Frear’s width stretched the home defence, who succumbed to a first home loss since August.
Both teams made four changes for the meeting in Kent, where the club’s new 3G surface meant the driving rain was at no threat to the fixture.
One of those recalled for Bath, Luke Spokes, set Scott Wilson away inside five minutes with a ball over the top, but the returning centreback Ben Swift slid in to superbly block his goalbound effort.
TQ Addy nearly caught Clarke out with an 18-yarder that the 40-year-old stopper batted away to
his left, and the same player shot too close the glovesman on 28 minutes from distance.
Jon Henly showed terrific reactions to palm Spokes’ stinging drive onto the roof of the net and earned his luck from the resulting corner when Chris Lines’ low ball found the onrushing Spokes, whose firsttime strike rebounded away off the chest of the unsighted stopper.
The same fortune wasn’t available to Clarke as Tonbridge took a 38th minute lead. Tariq Hinds’ pull-back saw Santos’ shot beaten away by the City keeper but straight to Collins, who easily dispatched from 10 yards.
Santos’ afternoon was soon over as the Ecuadorian pulled up and had to be helped off.
Tonbridge’s best move of the game culminated in Scott Wagstaff’s shot being deflected behind off Lines, ending a fine passing move from the hosts.
Gill replaced top scorer Cody Cooke and midfielder Spokes for Elliott Frear and Rex Mannings on the hour and it proved a timely double swap.
Frear was involved in a patient move which saw Fletcher’s ball delicately touched by Mannings perfectly into Hayfield’s path, who lashed past Henly from 20 yards.
The match was turned on its head on 71 minutes. Lines’ near post corner was won by Jordan Dyer in the air and in a messy sixyard box Fletcher somehow poked past Henly to net his first goal in seven games.
Dylan Gavin missed his kick after Hinds and debutant Dajon Golding linked up down the right as further attacks for the home side were blunted by a well-organised City defence to preserve their lead.
Wilson could have wrapped it up in added time when Swift passed straight to the forward some 45 yards out, but with Henly outside his area his attempted lob flew harmlessly against the goalkeeper’s chest.
It didn’t matter as they saw out nearly six minutes of added time to pick up a first win in four games and move up to sixth in National League South.
“I thought that was a thoroughly dominant display,” said Gill.
“Some of the football we played was superb.
“We were shocked to go in at half-time behind. There were three really good saves from their keeper.
“We reminded ourselves that we have to be a bit more ruthless.
“In the second half we dominated the ball and locked out well in transition.
“It was a really convincing three points.”
Hayfield’s goal was his second since arriving from Tiverton in the summer and Gill praised him and the general performance in midfield.
“I did some long-range stuff with him in the warm-up, ironically,” revealed Gill.
“He’s such a good striker of the ball.
“I’m really pleased for him, he deserves everything he’s got and is a really good midfielder.
“Elliott Frear and Rex Mannings were excellent when they came on. Sometimes the subs do work.
“People might have questioned it when I took Cody Cooke off but I thought a bit more movement would hurt them. He’s struggling with a groin issue and has been battling through for weeks, we need to get it seen to.”
The manager was grateful for the Romans faithful in appalling conditions in Kent.
“That travelling support today was phenomenal,” he said.
“I haven’t put my finger on why the atmosphere hasn’t been the same at Twerton. We need to be vocal from minute one.
“The boys need it – we’re together as one at this club.”