Bath City faced a stern test against Tom Cleverley’s Plymouth Argyle at the Cannon Clarke Stadium, Twerton Park. Although the Pilgrims secured a 3-0 victory with goals from Owen Oseni, Michael Baidoo, and Xavier Amaechi, Bath City’s spirited performance offered plenty of positives.
City managed to frustrate their higher-tier opponents in phases, thanks largely to goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards, who made a series of excellent saves under challenging 27-degree heat conditions. Newcomer Alex Fisher, returning as cover, came close to scoring and impressed against a side four divisions above.
Plymouth’s journey was briefly disrupted when their team coach broke down near the stadium, but once the game settled, they asserted their quality. Bath City’s defense faced pressure, with Mathias Ross and Michael Baidoo creating chances before the visitors broke the deadlock five minutes before halftime. Oseni cleverly turned and finished through Wiles-Richards’ legs.
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Minutes later, a well-coordinated move allowed Oseni to assist Baidoo for a close-range tap-in, doubling the lead. Early in the second half, a turnover led to a third goal with Amaechi calmly slotting home from close range.
Despite the scoreline, Bath City fought hard. Owen Windsor and Alex Fisher combined well to create one of their few clear chances, and Wiles-Richards remained resolute, denying multiple Plymouth attempts. The Romans coped admirably under sustained pressure, showing discipline and good shape throughout.
Manager Scott Bartlett praised his team’s performance against strong opposition, emphasizing the learning opportunities such a match provides. “We came through it pretty well,” Bartlett said. “They showed us a lot of respect and brought a very strong team. Every game is a new test, and we’re evaluating different combinations in these pre-season matches.”
Bath City will look to build on this outing as they prepare for their next challenge against League Two side Newport County. The lessons learned against Plymouth Argyle are invaluable for a squad aiming to compete and improve.
Match Summary:
Bath City 0 – Plymouth Argyle 3
Goals: Oseni (40), Baidoo (45), Amaechi (53)
Attendance: 1,274
Referee: Will Briers