Bath City`s Season to Savour (2006/07)

An outstanding campaign in the Southern Football League for the Romans.

The 2006/07 season was quite something for the city of Bath.

Not only did Bath City win the championship by a whopping 12-point margin, but the runners-up were neighbours Team Bath!

Both clubs began the 2006/07 season in a newly named league as the Southern Football League would be known as the British Gas Business League after it was confirmed the company has succeeded Dr Martens as its sponsor for the next three seasons.

And for once, the Bookmakers had it right, quoting Bath City as 9/2 favourites after finishing second to Salisbury in 2005/06.

However, the Team Bath students were not fancied to do very well, being down the betting order at 28/1!

City manager John Relish (pictured), who was appointed in June 2005, received a major boost just days before the start of the new season when striker Scott Partridge ended weeks of uncertainty by agreeing to a new two-year contract.

Top scorer in 2005/06, the former Bristol City, Brentford and Weymouth forward had scored 57 goals in 109 appearances for City but had delayed signing a new deal due to interest from a number of other teams higher up the non-League Pyramid, but in the end, decided to remain at Twerton Park to lead City’s title ambitions – and that was to prove to be an important signature.

Relish had mostly kept hold of the squad that came close to winning promotion the previous season but added strength in depth by making three new signings in Lewis Hogg and Mark McKeever from Weston-super-Mare and Mike Green from Cinderford Town and they also added young Nat Pepperell from Swansea City just ahead of the season getting underway.

Corby Town, newly promoted from the Division One Midlands, would host the title favourites on the opening day of the season.

And goals from Partridge and Chris Holland in either half gave the Romans a good start to the new campaign at the Rockingham Triangle.

However, three days later, Partridge was on the mark again in a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Tiverton Town in front of 752 at Twerton Park.

Four days after that, and City`s favourites` tag looked like weighing heavy on them as they were held to a 0-0 draw at home by a Northwood outfit who would end up bottom of the table.

August Bank Holiday Monday brought the first of the eagerly awaited derby matches with ground tenants and neighbours Team Bath.

Ged Roddy`s students were the `home` side and a disappointing crowd of 688 saw Mike Green and Craig Davidge outgun Neil Saunders to earn City the early bragging rights.

Bath`s opening game of September saw them host another newly-promoted side in Stamford.

And Graham Drury`s men produced an exceptional performance in front of 581 to triumph 2-1, despite Partridge scoring again.

The following Tuesday night saw City involved in a thriller at The Grove against Halesowen Town, who pegged the visitors back three times before eventually going down by the odd goal in seven.

Lewis Hogg, defender Matt Coupe, Chris Holland and Partridge (pictured) again were the Bath marksmen.

The top marksman was on target again as Bath earned a 1-1 draw at Banbury United before they turned their attention on the FA Cup which had paired them at home to league rivals Tiverton.

The initial tie ended goalless, with Bath finishing the game with ten-men following the dismissal of veteran defender Matt Coupe.

But it was a brace from Scott Rogers against his former clubs that helped Bath progress into the Second Qualifying Round with a 3-1 win at Ladysmead – Partridge getting the other City goal.

Next up for Bath was a home game against the side the bookmakers had placed as second favourites to win the title – King`s Lynn.

The Linnets arrived at Twerton Park on top of the table but fell behind to a Jon Holloway effort after 22 minutes before Michael Frew pulled the Norfolk side level on 68 minutes, with a draw probably about right on the day.

The FA Cup draw had paired City with another league rival in Merthyr Tydfil – again at home – and as in the previous round, the visitors frustrated the hosts to earn a replay with a 0-0 draw, with Bath again finishing with ten-men after Jim Rollo saw red.

The replay at Penydarren Park was another thriller but this time it was Bath who came out on the wrong end of a 3-2 defeat, despite goals from Mike Green and Lewis Hogg.

Ahead of their next game away to Cheshunt, manager John Relish attempted to boost his squad by bringing in defender Sekani Simpson on a month’s trial in an attempt to fill the gap left by the retirement of Jon Holloway.

The 22-year-old former Bristol City youngster had been playing for Conference South side Weston-super-Mare.

Polish striker Aradiusz Zarczynski (pictured) also signed for City on non-contract terms following his release from Conference strugglers Forest Green Rovers.

Lewis Hogg bagged a brace as Bath eased to a 2-0 win at Theobald`s Lane against Cheshunt. However, three days later, Bath`s neighbours Clevedon inflicted a 3-0 home defeat on the Romans and made for an unhappy debut for stand-in goalkeeper Richard Fey, whose father Steve managed the Seasiders for several years.

A disappointing October continued as Yate Town also left Twerton Park with a point from a 1-1 draw in which new Polish striker Zarczynski scored his first goal for the club – the result left Bath still searching for a first home win in 2006/07.

They did manage a cup win at home in their next game, however, as two more goals from Zarczynski helped City overcome a plucky Bishops Cleeve side from the Division One Midlands to move into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy.

November began with another game in the Trophy – a competition in which Bath have not done particularly well in.

They travelled to Kent to play Isthmian League Division One South side Sittingbourne and were held to a 0-0 draw. However, back at Twerton Park three days later, City made no mistake, running out 4-0 winners with goals from Mark McKeever with two, Partridge and Rogers.

Bath finally managed to break their home league duck when Wealdstone were beaten 2-1 with goals from Holland and Partridge and the habit was repeated three days later as Cirencester Town were beaten, thanks to a Holland goal just after half-time – the win lifting City above King`s Lynn to the top of the table for the first time.

Next up was a trip to Lincolnshire to seek revenge for Stamford`s win at Twerton Park in September.

Goals from Holland, Zarczynski and, inevitably, Partridge looked to be giving Bath a comfortable win, but the Daniels made them sweat after Scott Taylor and Jason Turner reduced the deficit to just one.

The Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy would bring November to a close and it was another home tie, this time against another Isthmian Division One South side in Tooting & Mitcham United, who caused an upset in the previous round by knocking out unbeaten Isthmian Premier leaders Bromley.

Zarczynski`s goal in stoppage time salvaged a replay for Bath and it was the Pole`s goal on the hour-mark that took City through in the replay at Twerton Park.

December began with some good news for Bath fans after manager John Relish ended his long search for a striker to partner Scott Partridge by signing Darren Edwards (pictured).

The Yate Town forward was the current Premier Division top scorer with 8 goals and had scored 38 goals in just 58 appearances for the Bluebells.

The former Mangotsfield United and Tiverton Town man cost Bath £4,500 with another £1,500 should City get promoted this season.

And the new man was quickly off the mark, scoring one of the three goals that defeated Halesowen 3-0 at home in front of 700 fans, with Partridge and a Nick Amos own goal accounting for the other goals.

However, seven days later, Bath lost 2-1 at home to Hitchin Town and leadership of the table – Partridge`s 11th goal of the season being little consolation.

It was FA Trophy time again and a trip to Cherrywood Road to face Conference South side Farnborough Town.

The Hampshire side, who were later to suffer a 10-point deduction for entering administration and demotion to the Southern League Division One South & West in 2007/08, held Bath to a 1-1 draw, with Zarczynski`s penalty earning a replay.

But a Bradley Woods-Garness goal in extra-time sent Farnborough through to leave Bath to concentrate on their league programme.

Two days before Christmas saw City suffer a third defeat in four games as Hemel Hempstead Town inflicted a first away league defeat of the season – and only the second in the calendar year of 2006 – via a mis-hit shot from Anthony Thomas.

However, that stirred Relish`s side up in readiness for the Boxing Day derby against Team Bath, with City in the home dressing room this time.

In front of a best-of-the-season crowd of 850, City hammered the students 5-0 with five different scorers – Gethin Jones and Steve Jones with their first goals of the season to date, Mark McKeever and Lewis Hogg.

Another derby at Hardenhuish Park against Chippenham Town welcomed in the New Year and a late Hogg penalty earned City the spoils.

The weather was beginning to cause problems and a potential fixture backlog, with Bath`s next game coming 12 days after the Chippenham fixture with Cheshunt put to the sword at home with another 5-0 victory for the Romans in which Scott Partridge helped himself to a hat-trick, with Edwards and Hogg joining in the fun.

It was Gloucester City at their temporary home at Forest Green next for Bath – and another comfortable 4-0 win with goals from Partridge, Rogers, McKeever and the re-called Phil Walsh taking Bath three points clear at the top of the table.

Hemel Hempstead, who had beaten Bath 1-0 in December, were beaten by the same scoreline at Twerton Park, thanks to a Darren Edwards goal to see out January.

Bath now faced twenty league games in the final three months of the season, starting with a derby against Mangotsfield United at home, which strike pair Partridge and Edwards scored in a 2-0 win.

February 10th though brought arguably the most important league game of the season to date as Bath travelled across to The Walks to take on title rivals King`s Lynn.

And after Chris Holland had given City a 23rd-minute lead, a Matt Nolan penalty 20 minutes from time in front of a crowd of 1,203 earned a 1-1 draw.

A tricky visit to York Road to play Maidenhead United came three days later and two goals in the minute leading up to half time from Partridge and Hogg gave the Romans a crucial 2-0 victory.

A Lewis Hogg penalty was enough to see off Banbury United at Twerton Park in the next game, leaving Bath five points clear at the top of the table.

A trip to Butlin Road to face Rugby Town came on the following Tuesday night and after a listless first half which saw the home side lead through a 20th minute David Stone effort, a John Relish half-time rocket or two led to a much better second-half showing which led to goals from Chris Holland, Steve Jones, Scott Partridge and Mark McKeever and a 4-1 win and an eight-point advantage at the summit.

Relish added cover to his goalkeeping position with the vastly experienced 36-year-old former Forest Green Rovers and Chippenham Town man Steve Perrin providing back-up to Paul Evans, who had been outstanding all season.

Bath were on the road again, this time to Top Field to play a Hitchin Town side who had inflicted one of the few league defeats on City back in December.

The visitors gained their revenge, however, hitting four more goals with Darren Edwards netting his first half-trick for the club, with Partridge adding the other.

With the scheduled game against Mangotsfield at Cossham Street postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Bath entered March after a successful February which had gleaned 16 points from a possible 18.

City didn`t play in March until the 10th due to the weather, allowing Team Bath to move to within two points of taking over leadership of the table.

And to make matters worse for City, top scorer Scott Partridge was out of action with a neck injury and strike partner Darren Edwards was suspended as Gloucester City headed to Twerton Park.

A Lyndon Tomkins own goal gave Bath an early lead which Alex Sykes cancelled out shortly afterwards following a rare mistake by keeper Paul Evans.

Craig Davidge, in for Partridge, restored the home side`s lead before Charlie Griffin earned Gloucester a point.

Disappointment at dropping two home points was tempered somewhat afterwards when news filtered through that Team Bath had lost 3-0 at Yate Town!

Three days later, Bath were left frustrated again as Tiverton, who held them to a 1-1 draw back in August, held them again, this time to a 0-0 stalemate at Ladysmead.

Ahead of the trip to play Wealdstone, Bath received the bad news that 18-goal top scorer Scott Partridge wouldn`t play again this season due to his neck injury.

But City got a bonus when they turned up at Northwood, where Wealdstone were sharing at the time, to discover that the Stones `keeper Lee Carroll hadn`t turned up for some reason and they were forced to put outfield player Carl Martin in goal!

Even without their top marksman, Bath still managed to score four times without reply through Lewis Hogg with two, Mark McKeever and Darren Edwards, with Paul Evans saving a late penalty.

For the second time in three days, Bath netted four goals without response as Merthyr Tydfil suffered the same fate as Wealdstone at Twerton Park with Gethin Jones, Phil Walsh, Martin Paul and a Hogg penalty all finding the net.

Relegation-threatened Corby Town were Bath`s next visitors four days later. However, the Steelmen wouldn`t be treated lightly as they had beaten promotion rivals King`s Lynn in their last game.

But goals from Hogg, Walsh and Adie Harris secured a 3-1 win, with Steve Towers replying for the ten-men visitors, who had Chris Gray dismissed in the second half.

With injuries piling up – Phil Walsh (pictured) being the latest to be ruled out for the season with a broken hand – John Relish was looking to make a deadline signing or two.

A tricky short journey down the M5 to the Hand Stadium to play neighbours Clevedon Town was up next for Bath and were given a helping hand – or rather foot – from former City defender Billy Clark to give them a 22md minute lead that Edwards doubled 2 minutes later to see thew visitors triumph 2-0.

Relish managed to bring in Newport County striker Matt Prosser on loan ahead of their short journey to Cirencester Town where a Chris Holland header sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win and bring the title in sight.

However, three days later, Merthyr Tydfil became the first team to beat Bath in 2007, ending an 18-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 success at Penydarren Park – less than three weeks after Bath had hammered the Martyrs 4-0 at home.

It was a brace by Jon Kift that sealed Bath`s fate, despite a Chris Holland reply.

With Team Bath beating Halesowen Town, City`s lead was now nine points with six games left to play.

Only two days to mull over the Merthyr defeat before a big derby date at Twerton Park against Chippenham Town came up.

And in front of a terrific crowd of 2,044, Martin Paul, who had struggled to get much of a look in due to the form of Scott Partridge and Dean Edwards, came up trumps with the decisive goal in the 66th minute, with the Bluebirds losing Kevin Halliday to a second bookable offence late on.

A visit to bottom-of-the-table Northwood`s Chestnut Avenue came next for Bath two days later and the efforts of playing three games in five days caught up with them as for the second time this season, Woods frustrated the high-flyers with a 1-1 draw, courtesy of a Lewis Hogg spot-kick.

That point though meant that City could seal the title three days later on the Saturday if they beat Maidenhead United at Twerton Park and Team Bath lose at Banbury United.

City did their bit by seeing off Maidenhead 2-1 with goals from Edwards and Paul, but Team Bath also won, so it was hoped that the title could be clinched not far from home at Mangotsfield`s Cossham Street the following Tuesday.

Even a large visiting contingent in the 1,079 crowd could roar Bath to victory though as the hosts held firm for a goalless draw.

Two days later, Team Bath won 3-0 at Ladysmead against a Tiverton side playing their fourth game in just six days to keep City waiting once more to celebrate.

But the wait wasn`t a long one as three days later a relatively short journey up the M5 to Lodge Road to play Yate Town ended in triumph for City.

City secured the Southern League title, and a place in next season’s Conference South, with a 2-1 win, coming back from a goal down to win through Craig Davidge and Steve Jones.

It was Bath`s first league title for 29 years and sparked celebrations from the large away following in the 975 crowd – Yate`s biggest of the season.

Bath still had one game to play – at Twerton Park against Rugby Town – and quite often in these circumstances, celebrations when being presented with the league championship medals can often fall a little flat by an underwhelming performance.

Not on this day though, as City hammered the Valley 6-0 with Chris Holland bagging a brace, Martin Paul and Craig Davidge one apiece, with both Sekani Simpson and Dean Clarke netting their first - and only – goals of the season to join in the fun.

City ended the season on 91 points, 13 ahead of second-placed Team Bath, finishing as top scorers with 84 goals as well as having the best defence with only 29 conceded.

Any hopes that tenants Team Bath would join City in the Conference South in 2007/08 were thwarted in the play-offs.

Team Bath beat Hemel Hempstead Town 3-1 in the semi-final but were beaten 1-0 by Maidenhead United, thanks to an Errol Telemaque goal.