MATCH REPORT: Maidenhead United 0 Bath City 1 (Chamberlain 54)
Elliott Chamberlain scored in his final match this season for Bath City to give them a narrow victory at Maidenhead United.
City rode their luck at times to survive several nervous moments in their own penalty area but Chamberlain's second-half strike proved the difference.
Playing on a bobbly pitch in cold and windy conditions, the match produced few moments of quality football and most of the chances in the first half came from long range.
The visitors were first to threaten after 12 minutes when Noah Keats sent a 20-yard shot just wide, while Maidenhead also sent a couple of long-range efforts well off target before City went close again when Adam Connolly's low shot was pushed wide by goalkeeper Billy Lunley.
The home side came more into the game and City custodian Jason Mellor had to be out quickly to deny David Pratt. Moments later Joe Tabiri's cross found Richard Pacquette unmarked but he headed wide.
Harry Pritchard had a shot deflected into the hands of Mellor but this produced a chance for City on the break. Chris Allen's excellent pass released Chamberlain but his shot came back off the post.
Maidenhead finished the half strongly as City left-back Aaron Brown looked out of sorts. Pratt and Pritchard fired over, before Pratt missed the target again with only Mellor to beat.
Mark Preece blocked a goalbound Pritchard effort and Brown was booked for a challenge on Pratt just outside the areas bu Pacquette's free-kick went over the top.
The hosts nearly went ahead six minutes into the second half but Mellor saved well from Pacquette, who also had a shot deflected over.
City broke from a corner shortly afterwards and the ball fell kindly to Josh Low, whose low shot could only be parried by Lunley, allowing Chamberlain - who has decided to return to parent club Exeter for the rest of the season - to pounce and tap home.
However, despite still threatening occasionally, City were unable to take control of the match and Maidenhead had good chances to level the scores.
Rhys Paul found himself unmarked on the end of a Michael Pook free-kick but headed wide and Joe Tabiri also missed the target with a header from a corner, although Mellor was adamant that he had been fouled and received a yellow card for his protests.
Pratt could have equalised five minutes from time when he turned and shot from inside the box but Mellor deflected his effort wide.
In the end, City survived to secure a scrappy victory but a vital three points, which ease any lingering relegation fears.MAIDENHEAD UNITED: Billy Lunley, Leon Solomon, Tom Gibley, Joe Tabiri(Daniel Brown 82), Rhys Paul, Curtis Ujah, Chris Flood (Reece Tison-Lascaris 72), Michael Pook, David Pratt, Richard Pacquette, Harry Pritchard (Ramone Rose 72). Subs not used: James Regis, Alex Tokarczyk.BATH CITY: Jason Mellor, Sekani Simpson, Aaron Brown, Dan Ball, Mark Preece, Joe Burnell, Noah Keats, Adam Connolly, Elliott Chamberlain (Charlie Griffin 89), Chris Allen (Gethin Jones 83), Josh Low (Kerry Morgan 86). Subs not used: Joe Lennox, Marc Canham.REFEREE: John O'Brien (London).
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
