City went in to this
local(ish) derby looking for an early double over Bath,
and knowing games like this needed to be won to
capitalise on fine results against Nuneaton and Bath.
Rosenior recalled perpetual bad boy Adie Mings after
serving his suspension for a red card in the victory at
Twerton Park. Mike Wyatt was a surprise admission with
Holloway preferred at right wing back. David Elsey made a
return to Meadow Park and did little to convince City
fans they'd missed out with his departure.
Gloucester set
their stall out early on with the speed of Hemmings and
Keeling causing early alarms for Bath. With the visitor's
defence looking shakey it wasn't long before a mistake occurred. A typically sharp Keeling turn saw a rash
tackle in the box, Fergie calmly slotting home the
resulting penalty for an early lead.
The game then
entered a scrappy stage as Bath struggled to contain City
in midfield. Neither side was able to create much space
and few chances materialised. The referee attempted to
make up for this lack of entertainment with a string of
bizarre decisions, although Mings may consider himself
fortunate to escape with a booking after appearing to
stand on a prone Bath player-manager Paul Bodin. While
City were unable to create many clear chances Hemmings
did go close with a fizzing cross shot that Mings wasn't
far away from poking past Hervin.
The second half saw
City again start in positive fashion with Hemmings and
Holloway again finding most freedom on the flanks.
Hemmo's pace was a constant threat but his crosses all
too often just eluded the forward line. The crucial goal
came when a mistake from a dithering Paul Bodin allowed
Holloway to latch onto a loose ball on the half way line.
His pace carried him through their back line and Jon's
shot skewed off a defender to nestle in the net. With
their favourite celebrating in typically ecstatic style
the T-End even managed to crank into life.
City then had a
further ten minutes of dominance when only bad luck
prevented them extending their lead. A Gary Thorne header
just looped over the bar and both Webb and Hemmings went
close from distance. However the missed chances looked as
if they may become crucial as Bath took a grip on the
closing stages. Mokler made a fantastic save from a close
range header, while City were grateful to Kemp for
several timely interceptions.
Bath then missed an
astonishing chance with five minutes to go, hitting the
post from six yards with only a helpless Mokler to beat.
This seemed one of those nights when bad luck in other
games evens out as City hacked clear time and time again.
Harrington pulled one back for Bath with only two minutes
remaining, and the tension on the T-End was clearly
affecting the City players. However they held on grimly
through a lifetime of injury time for the final whistle
and three welcome points. With Nuneaton tripping up at
Grantham, City are still in touch with the leaders with a
game in hand. Recent results mean teams are sure to be
worrying about us - just the way we want it!
Mokler
