Bath Schools bounced
back from two weeks off with victory in their first
fixture against Portsmouth. The Bath Chronicle-sponsored
team assembled a squad of 21 and, despite bad weather
and a late kick-off, it did not take Bath long to settle
into the game.
They made an immediate impression,
making Portsmouth chase the ball for long periods. Good
interplay on both wings saw a number of good crosses
from Watkins (Chandag) and Jack Rowlands (St Stephen's)
penetrate the Portsmouth defence, but Hunt and Symonds
were unable to convert the chances.
With so much
possession, but with no goal to show, it seemed Bath
Schools' were falling into the same trap as in their
previous two games.
However, their effort and
good football were rewarded when Lewis Hunt (WASPS)
charged down a clearance from the keeper and the ball
ricocheted into the net.
Although Portsmouth
twice broke down the left flank through their impressive
forward Lewis Byers, his first effort was well saved by
keeper Sam Butler (St Phillip's) and his second went
well wide of the near post.
With man-of-the-match
Rowlands linking well with full-back Sam Mount (King
Edward's), Bath had chances to extend their
lead.
But, once again, the finishing did not
match the build-up and, in the end, one goal was enough
for Bath's 1st XI to claim another home
victory.
After half-time, Bath fielded a new team
against the same opposition.
With many of the
players a year younger, the home side were expected to
have a tough game on their hands.
However, Bath
began brightly and took the lead through impressive
striker William Oswin (Newbridge).
Spurred on by
the goal, Portsmouth responded by scoring almost
immediately after a through-ball caught the Bath defence
unaware and the striker finished
comfortably.
With this game more open than the
first, another goal was inevitable.
Bradley
Norris (Oldfield Park) threatened to break the deadlock,
making some skilful runs up the left wing and going
close with a free kick.
However, Portsmouth
finished as the winning team when a superb corner was
headed home by Jack Bale.
Coach Tim Kirk said:
"It was great to get the boys together again and I was
really pleased that Portsmouth agreed to allow us to
field the two teams.
"We have a fantastic group
of boys here and they have proved on a number of
occasions now that they can keep the ball well and
create chances, especially when we play at
home.
"Certainly, we have not yet seen a side
which can outplay us. We just need to learn to be more
clinical in front of goal."
BATH PSFA:Lewis Hunt,
Paris Grappy, William Oswin, Oliver Currie, Erny Peibst,
Sam Mount, Matthew Perry, Sam Butler, Jack Rowlands,
Jamie Smithies, Richard Watkins, Sam Saare, Myles
Jefferies, Neil Pincott, Charlie Willis, Tom Lewington,
Norris Bradley, Jordan Tillson, Daniel Rosser, Joseph
Symonds, Callum
Elms
