Southern League: Bath City Eyes Top Spot After 10 Wins
Manager Scott Bartlett says the squad is capable of winning the title, citing a defense that has kept four clean sheets in a row.
By Anthony Shevchenko ·
Bath City has won 10 of its last 12 league matches. The club sits fifth in the Southern Premier South, three points behind the leader. Manager Scott Bartlett says the team is already capable of winning the league.
The Romans are a third of the way through their season. Since the end of August, their only league defeat was a 2-1 home loss to Gosport on October 10. Bartlett watched that game from the gantry due to a touchline suspension. He called it a frustrating personal experience because he could not influence the play.
The team has recorded four straight league wins with clean sheets. Harvey Wiles-Richards has kept five straight clean sheets. The team has conceded only 10 goals this season. That is second fewest in the league. Only Wimborne Town has conceded fewer. Center backs Ollie Tomlinson and Harrison Minturn have started the last eight league matches together. The pair has allowed just four goals to go past them.
Bartlett credits the defense for the recent form. He says Tomlinson and Minturn complement each other naturally. Tomlinson wins aerial duels, while Minturn uses his speed to cover space. The manager also notes the team has added support off the pitch. They have improved nutrition, food standards, and medical care.
The squad is looking to add one more player. Assistant manager Andrew Stalbow has advised patience. Bartlett says the timing must be right and the player must fit the group seamlessly. New signings have settled well, according to the manager. The core group has shown high standards to the newcomers.
Bartlett won the division with Weston-super-Mare in 2023. He says that experience keeps him grounded. He notes that his previous title win took two years to secure. He believes Bath City is on a similar trajectory. The team has played well in 8 to 10 key matches but struggled in others. He says the goal is to maintain high standards for longer periods.
The team travels to Chichester City on Saturday. It is the first meeting between the two sides. Chichester is seventh in the table. They moved up from the Isthmian Premier last season. Bartlett expects them to play out from the back. He says they are expansive and will stretch the play. He plans to review their recent match at Frome Town to find weaknesses.
A match against Taunton follows shortly after the Chichester trip. Bartlett describes the schedule as relentless. He says the team will prepare as best they can. The manager believes the squad has enough depth to handle the workload. He expects the team to be a challenge for most opponents if they move the ball safely from back to front.
