Charlie Hester-Cook’s late 88th-minute winner secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Horsham over a resilient 10-man Bath City in a match marred by controversy at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium.
The home side took an early lead when Greg Luer headed them in front. However, the game’s defining moment came when Jack Batten was controversially penalised for allegedly fouling Rhys Murphy, resulting in a questionable penalty award. Although Murphy’s spot kick was saved, chaos ensued as Joe Raynes was immediately sent off following dissent towards the referee.
Scott Wilson capitalised by equalising from the resulting penalty soon after, but despite Bath City’s mounting pressure, Horsham found a winner late on, extending the Romans’ winless streak in the league to ten games.
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Bath City manager Darren Way recalled Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, and Jordan Alves for their trip to West Sussex to face an injury-hit Horsham side led by Dom Di Paola, who had a bench featuring several teenagers. Despite the taxing journey, Bath City showed early promise.
Within the first minute, Luke Russe won possession and set up Wilson, who narrowly missed. The Romans continued pressing, with Ruebin Sheppard testing Horsham’s keeper Lewis Carey minutes later following a precise cross from Josh Laqeretabua.
Horsham threatened in response—Harvey Wiles-Richards made key saves denying Luer and Shamir Fenelon, proving resolute between the posts. The mounting pressure led Darren Way to adjust the team’s formation, which initially steadied Bath City’s defense.
However, an unfortunate defensive lapse led to Horsham’s goal from Murphy’s assist to Luer, ending a personal goal drought of 400 minutes for the visitor’s striker.
Bath City rallied vigorously, and chance after chance came their way, but the match took a dramatic turn around the 60th minute. James Hammond delivered a through ball to Murphy, who was seemingly intercepted fairly by Batten. Yet, referee Tom Ellsmore awarded a questionable penalty to Horsham, confounding players and staff alike. Remarkably, Murphy was entrusted with taking the spot kick, despite Hammond’s perfect conversion record since late 2025. Murphy’s miss was celebrated briefly until Raynes received his marching orders, presumably for protesting the decision.
Bath City responded well, and soon after, were awarded a penalty of their own when Wilson was fouled by Fenelon. Wilson calmly converted, leveling the score and reigniting hope.
Horsham’s introduction of Hester-Cook altered the game’s momentum. The substitute, making just his second appearance of 2026 after injury, scored the decisive goal—powerfully heading in Hammond’s inswinging cross to break Bath City’s resistance.
The Romans had further chances to level, with Wiles-Richards pulling off world-class saves to deny Hester-Cook’s near-hat-trick and Hammond’s shots. Unfortunately, late injuries to substitute Matt Bowman and Jack Batten compounded Bath City’s frustration.
Horsham held onto the lead to claim their third league win in 16 matches, while Bath City’s winless run extended to 10 matches—their longest since the 2011/12 relegation from the Conference Premier.
Post-match, Darren Way expressed his frustration: “The referee hasn’t helped us. We don’t need decisions like that in such a critical moment. It affected the team emotionally—everyone knew it wasn’t a penalty. But I don’t want to blame it all on the referee. We had periods of strong play but missed key chances which ultimately put us under pressure. Harvey was outstanding in goal. The players showed great spirit to fight back—this is a demanding time, but we’re not giving up.”