MATCH REPORT: Chesham United 2 (Watters 18, Thomas 25) Bath City 1 (Morgan 74)
By Andrew Kerslake
Bath City crashed out of a cup competition to a well-organised side from the division below for the second time in eight weeks as Chesham United took their scalp at The Meadow.
Two goals in the space of seven first-half minutes from the hosts continued City's poor FA Trophy record, removing the chance of a tilt at a Wembley appearance for another season and denying them vital prize money in the process.
For many it was a surprise that the game went ahead after a morning and afternoon of continuous rain, yet despite being heavy the Chesham pitch was perfectly playable and in no way contributed to City's downfall.
Tom Nichols, a loan signing from Exeter City, was handed his debut up front in place of Charlie Griffin, despite City's victory at Sutton United the week before.
Chesham signalled their intentions from the start as they pressed forward in numbers. With just a minute gone, a cross from the impressive Matt Bevans saw Chris Watters' header sail only narrowly wide.
Three minutes later the home side again threatened when Simon Thomas brought out a great diving save from Jason Mellor.
The home side continued to press forward, with Watford loanee Bevans again posing a significant danger. The youngster sailed past Aaron Brown on the right before cutting inside, only to see his shot clip the crossbar.
For a time City began to come back into the match when, just after the quarter-hour mark, Chris Allen had a long-range shot easily taken by the keeper. A shot from Gethin Jones then flicked up off the home defence before Nichols' quick shot rested in keeper Shane Gore's hands.
It proved to be a short-lived respite as on 18 minutes Watters ran down the right and went past Danny Ball before putting in a low shot which bounced in front of Mellor before settling in the corner of the net.
The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division side reinforced their superiority when Dave Fotheringham's penetrative run left Josh Low for dead and he put in a cross which the enthusiastic Simon Thomas slotted home.
From then on the story should have been one of a gallant home defence holding out against superior opposition. However, City lacked any real threat up front and the midfield failed to possess the battling sprit needed to win the ball in the absence of an ill Adam Connolly.
City had the chance to pull one back early in the second half when a great crossfield pass from Nichols came to Low, whose curving shot was tipped behind by Gore.
The visitors then rang the changes with first Kerry Morgan coming on for Marc Canham ten minutes into the half, followed by Griffin for Low.
The changes looked as though they might pull of an unlikely result with just over 15 minutes to go. Griffin's shot was deflected out to Morgan, who made no mistake with a thundering shot.
Just minutes later Nichols hit an upright from a corner but City's barnstorming finish never materialised. Instead all the skill came from the home side as they ran the clock down well and kept possession throughout the closing stages.
Chesham United: Gore, Bevans, Braithwaite, Lambert, Fagan, Little (Rolfe 75), Fotheringham, Watters, Potton (Chennells 73), Thomas, Wilson. Subs not used: Elenge, Barker, Shaw.
Bath City: Mellor, Ball (Cummings 67), Brown, Jones, Preece, Keates, M Canham (Morgan 55), Allen, S Canham, Nichols, Low (Griffin 64). Subs not used: Garner, Rollo.
Referee: Anthony Coggins (Oxfordshire).
By Andrew Kerslake
Bath City crashed out of a cup competition to a well-organised side from the division below for the second time in eight weeks as Chesham United took their scalp at The Meadow.
Two goals in the space of seven first-half minutes from the hosts continued City's poor FA Trophy record, removing the chance of a tilt at a Wembley appearance for another season and denying them vital prize money in the process.
For many it was a surprise that the game went ahead after a morning and afternoon of continuous rain, yet despite being heavy the Chesham pitch was perfectly playable and in no way contributed to City's downfall.
Tom Nichols, a loan signing from Exeter City, was handed his debut up front in place of Charlie Griffin, despite City's victory at Sutton United the week before.
Chesham signalled their intentions from the start as they pressed forward in numbers. With just a minute gone, a cross from the impressive Matt Bevans saw Chris Watters' header sail only narrowly wide.
Three minutes later the home side again threatened when Simon Thomas brought out a great diving save from Jason Mellor.
The home side continued to press forward, with Watford loanee Bevans again posing a significant danger. The youngster sailed past Aaron Brown on the right before cutting inside, only to see his shot clip the crossbar.
For a time City began to come back into the match when, just after the quarter-hour mark, Chris Allen had a long-range shot easily taken by the keeper. A shot from Gethin Jones then flicked up off the home defence before Nichols' quick shot rested in keeper Shane Gore's hands.
It proved to be a short-lived respite as on 18 minutes Watters ran down the right and went past Danny Ball before putting in a low shot which bounced in front of Mellor before settling in the corner of the net.
The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier Division side reinforced their superiority when Dave Fotheringham's penetrative run left Josh Low for dead and he put in a cross which the enthusiastic Simon Thomas slotted home.
From then on the story should have been one of a gallant home defence holding out against superior opposition. However, City lacked any real threat up front and the midfield failed to possess the battling sprit needed to win the ball in the absence of an ill Adam Connolly.
City had the chance to pull one back early in the second half when a great crossfield pass from Nichols came to Low, whose curving shot was tipped behind by Gore.
The visitors then rang the changes with first Kerry Morgan coming on for Marc Canham ten minutes into the half, followed by Griffin for Low.
The changes looked as though they might pull of an unlikely result with just over 15 minutes to go. Griffin's shot was deflected out to Morgan, who made no mistake with a thundering shot.
Just minutes later Nichols hit an upright from a corner but City's barnstorming finish never materialised. Instead all the skill came from the home side as they ran the clock down well and kept possession throughout the closing stages.
Chesham United: Gore, Bevans, Braithwaite, Lambert, Fagan, Little (Rolfe 75), Fotheringham, Watters, Potton (Chennells 73), Thomas, Wilson. Subs not used: Elenge, Barker, Shaw.
Bath City: Mellor, Ball (Cummings 67), Brown, Jones, Preece, Keates, M Canham (Morgan 55), Allen, S Canham, Nichols, Low (Griffin 64). Subs not used: Garner, Rollo.
Referee: Anthony Coggins (Oxfordshire).
