Bath delight at 'unexpected' promotion

The City board have announced to the press that they are extremely pleased that the team have secured promotion from the Blue Square South.

In a brief statement, a spokesperson for the board declared that promotion had not been on the cards at the start of the season and the board wanted to put on record their gratitude to manager Tony Bowes for delivering the unthinkable.

Bath City 2 - 1 Braintree Town (Blue Square South Playoff Final)

Bath City battled to a deserved 2 - 1 (won after extra time) victory over Braintree Town on a fine summer's afternoon in their Blue Square South Playoff Final game at The Kassam Stadium.

Young striker Stefan Connor gave Braintree the lead with a powerful effort in the 20th minute. Braintree's Adam Bailey-Dennis received the red card for a professional foul with 45 minutes on the clock.

Midfielder Amadou Kouman then equalised for Bath in the 90th minute with an effort from the edge of the area. Better late than never for Bath and the fans were clearly delighted with Kouman's impact.

Then followed controversy as Braintree were denied claims by Connor for a penalty. Striker Billy Paynter then clinched a late winner for the home side on 116 minutes with a powerful close range effort.

Paynter's impact delighted the fans with his late goal.

Attendance: 2862

Tight old game, even with a 10-man Braintree. Finally got the breakthrough in extra time to seal the win and claim promotion. Paynter contributed again, a wonderful signing.

Overall the season went well. I thought that this season we were always going to be in with a shot, but it took a late charge in the dying stages to keep us there. Finished with a 15 match unbeaten run that has left the club atmosphere sky high.

Signed up for next year with a slight pay rise. Possibly should have waited until the promotion to push for more, but I'm happy to keep these guys going for a few more seasons. 27 signings to date and another cleansing of the reserves coming up to keep us under budget.

Amadou Kouman went on to pick up Player of the Season. He's been awesome as an attacking midfielder just inside the front two. He finished with 28 goals and 22 assists from 49 appearances and always seemed dangerous with the ball. The position also helped break down the standard 442 defence with many chances created due to the central defenders not being able to him and the two strikers at once.

Bath set new gate receipts high

Bath's gate receipts of £28K from the game against Bishop's Stortford in the Blue Square South Playoff Semi Final are higher than ever before and has set a new club record.

The previous record gate receipts taken from a game was £20K, set against Forest Green in the English FA Cup First Round.

Great win, and delighted that the fans turned out in force to see us go through to the playoff finals. It was also a club record for attendance, up from 1067 to 2674.

Another 5 bagger

Bath City 5 - 3 Bishop's Stortford (Blue Square South Playoff Semi Final)

Bath City ensured an early start to manager Tony Bowes' birthday celebrations as they beat Bishop's Stortford 5 - 3 at Twerton Park. A brace from Wayne Gray helped Bath to victory.

Midfielder Amadou Kouman got Bath off to a flyer by scoring a powerful close range effort on 2 minutes. Striker Lewis Smith then equalised for Bishop's Stortford in the 8th minute with a powerful effort.

Striker Charlie Sheringham then put the away side in front after 17 minutes with a placed shot. Striker Wayne Gray then equalised for Bath in the 32nd minute with a placed shot.

Gray then added his 2nd goal of the game with a well timed close range finish on 39 minutes. Sweeper Sam Stockley had a chance to score from the penalty spot for The Blues on the 67 minute mark but missed his spot-kick.

Bishop's Stortford's Tyrone Berry however made the Bishop's Stortford fans forget the miss by scoring a close range header shortly after. Striker Billy Paynter put the home side in front in the 77th minute with a placed shot.

Experienced winger Florin Pelecaci completed the scoring for Bath with a curling shot from the edge of the area on 84 minutes.

Bath therefore win 10 - 5 on aggregate.

Attendance: 2674

A great crowd on hand to witness another goal-fest. Subbed out Letheren as we didn't need to leak goals at the back, but great finishing to everyone up front put the match beyond doubt. I was considering subbing our Pelecaci as he looked a little puffed, but then he netted a cracking shot from outside the box to bring a smile to my face. Happy Birthday Bowesy!

Quality of possession provides victory: 5-2

Bishop's Stortford 2 - 5 Bath City (Blue Square South Playoff Semi Final)

An efficient performance from Bath saw them run out 5 - 2 winners over Bishop's Stortford at Woodside Park. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly a superb hat-trick from Bath's Billy Paynter.

Striker Lewis Smith got Bishop's Stortford off to a flyer by scoring a real poacher's effort on 5 minutes. Bath also saw their 26th minute strike questionably chalked off.

Striker Charlie Sheringham doubled Bishop's Stortford's lead with a placed shot on 35 minutes. Striker Billy Paynter then managed to pull one back for Bath after 37 minutes with a powerful close range effort which hit the inside of the post before hitting the back of the net.

Things turned sour for Bishop's Stortford when midfielder Jamie Hand earned himself an early bath for persistent fouling on 55 minutes. Paynter then equalised for Bath after 56 minutes with an effort from the edge of the area.

Journeyman striker Clyde Wijnhard then put the away side in front after 66 minutes with a curling shot from the edge of the area. Midfielder Amadou Kouman went on to add to the lead with a well timed close range finish on 87 minutes.

Paynter completed the rout with a thumping header on 90 minutes.

Attendance: 1672

New signing Paynter didn't waste any time introducing himself to the fans by bagging a hattrick on debut. We've lacked a good, strong header up front and I'm glad he poked one in off a cross. 2 more individual efforts made him look good up front. I was a little concerned his lack of gameplay would catch him out, but he's dropped into the squad nicely. Efe has been complaining about his place in the team; now it looks all but gone.