Bath City secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over National League leaders Worthing at Twerton Park, thanks to a brace from Will Jenkins-Davies and a first goal for Matt Bowman. This crucial win moves Bath clear of the relegation zone.
The game started explosively, with Bath taking the lead within four minutes. Jordan Alves was clipped just outside the box by Toby Byron, earning a penalty that Jenkins-Davies confidently converted, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
Ten minutes later, a promising run from Jaiden Putman nearly doubled the lead, but his cross-shot was blocked. Bath faced adversity just after the half-hour when goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards was forced off due to a nasty challenge from Teddy Jenks, with Charlie Binns stepping in. Despite this, Bath quickly extended their advantage to 2-0. A poor touch from Worthing’s Odei Martin gifted possession to Bowman, who coolly slotted the ball past Josh Jeffries from 12 yards out.
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Bath began the second half with an attacking intent, Luke Russe’s low cross just missing Alves. Worthing then began to push back, though clear chances were scarce. They pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when Binns failed to secure Shiloh Remy’s cross, allowing Jenks to score.
Bath responded aggressively, with substitute Alex Fisher forcing a crucial block from Jeffries in the 77th minute, while Jenkins-Davies saw his follow-up attempt blocked. Ten minutes later, Bath put the game beyond doubt. Fisher raced onto a through ball from Putman and crossed for Jenkins-Davies to finish clinically.
Worthing managed a late consolation as Ollie Godziemski scored with a looping header in stoppage time, but the referee’s whistle ended the match shortly after.
Meanwhile, Weston-super-Mare, aiming for promotion, were set back by a 3-2 defeat at the hands of new leaders Hornchurch. Weston’s Louis Britton had an early effort cleared off the line, but Angelo Balanta gave Hornchurch the lead in the 31st minute with a free-kick finish.
Though Luke Spokes fired a 25-yard shot over early in the second half, Hornchurch extended their lead at 59 minutes when Henry Hearn rounded goalkeeper Max Harris following a slip by Dan Ellison.
Weston fought back, with Britton and Dan Martin coming close before Will Dawes pulled one back in the 88th minute with a precise finish from a Luke Coulson through ball. Despite their efforts, Weston couldn’t find an equalizer and remain fifth in the table.