The Bath Chronicle- sponsored Bath Schools'
district team played their first ever reserve fixture
against Swindon on Saturday and secured a 3-3 draw.
Although Bath introduced eight players to football at
district level, the players did not look daunted and
were on the offensive from the kick-off.
The new
team kept possession well and had Swindon chasing the
ball for long periods of the game.
The two wide
midfield players looked particularly impressive with
Jack Rowlands (St Stephen's) getting the better of his
opponent and going close to opening the scoring on a
number of occasions.
The pressure finally paid
off when a cross from man-of-the-match Oliver Currie
(King Edward's) was met by newcomer William Thomas to
give Bath a well-deserved lead.
Despite many
changes during the second half, Bath maintained the
pressure on the Swindon defence and, although the
visitors levelled on a counter attack, it was not long
before Bath were back in front when centre-back Jamie
Smithies (Chandag) scored with a long-range
effort.
A good passing move between William Oswin
(Newbridge) and Lewis Hunt (WASPS) should have put the
game beyond Swindon's reach, but the ball somehow
trickled wide of the post.
Bath were then
punished for missed chances as a penalty was awarded
against them and the Swindon captain stepped up to level
the scores once again.
More changes were made and
the effect was immediate - Hunt converting a through
ball from the impressive Charlie Wills (The
Paragon).
However, Bath's forward play was to
cost them in the dying moments of the game, as the
Swindon striker found himself one on one after a Bath
corner and he levelled the game.
Coach Tim Kirk
said: "We were unfortunate not to win by a few goals
today, but I was very pleased with the
performance.
"Many of the boys were a year
younger and it is the first time they have played
representative football.
"This considered, I was
really impressed with how well they managed to keep the
ball and create as many chances as they did.
"It
certainly bodes well for next year."
BATH
SCHOOLS' RESERVES: William Oswin, Sam Butler, Charlie
Wills, Milo McNulty, Matthew Perry, Sam Sarre, Oliver
Currie, Lewis Hunt, Sam Mount, Jamie Smithies, Jack
Rowlands, William Thomas, Callum Ellms, Neil
Pincott
