On Saturday February 21st Hampton & Richmond Borough travel to the West Country to take on Bath City.
Last time out it was a midweek away day to face AFC Totton where the Beavers picked up a point on the road at Snows Stadium which has served as a fortress for the Stags this season, picking up nine of their thirteen wins there.
It finished 1-1 after a well-worked Reece Grego-Cox opener was cancelled out six minutes later in the first half by an Ashley Clarke strike which new goalkeeper Marcus Dewhurst had no chance at saving.
Bath City, who currently sit in 20th, one place below ourselves but with four games in hand, snatched a dramatic point late on against fourth-placed Ebbsfleet United.
The 2-2 draw was sealed when Matt Bowman scored the second of his brace in the seventh minute of stoppage time in the second half to send the fans at Twerton Park home happy.
The late goal saved the Romans from four losses in six league games. The Romans also have only picked up one win in their last six, besting Worthing 3-2 at home on the 24th of January.
Their main concern this season has been their goalscoring. They have scored the joint-fewest goals in the league, tied with 17th-placed Salisbury on just 30 goals. Interestingly, Bath have scored exactly 15 both home and away and have only picked up four more points at Twerton Park than they have on their travels this season.
Nevertheless, there are still dangerous men in the Roman Army.
Centre back and captain Kieran Parselle has started every league match of the campaign for Saturday’s hosts and scored one of his two goals this season against us in the reverse fixture in November.
21-year-old attacking midfielder William Jenkins-Davies has eleven goal contributions in 20 league appearances this season. The Welshman started his career at Plymouth Argyle before going out on loan to Torquay multiple times. He joined Bath City this season.
The Beavers will be looking to stop the slide against Bath City, losing the last three games against the Romans by a combined score of 8-1.
After Saturday’s trip to Bath, it’s the third away match in a row to Tonbridge before we’re back at the Bev on February 28th as we host Eastbourne Borough which will be crucial for both teams survival hopes.
Grab your tickets to that one HERE!
By Jack Lonergan