Charlie Hester-Cook’s dramatic 88th-minute winner propelled Horsham to a controversial 3-2 victory over 10-man Bath City at the Fusion Aviation Community Stadium, deepening the Romans’ relegation worries.
Greg Luer put Horsham ahead with a headed goal before a highly contentious penalty was awarded after Jack Batten was judged to have fouled Rhys Murphy in a baffling decision by referee Tom Ellsmore. Despite Murphy’s spot-kick being saved by City’s goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards, Joe Raynes was sent off moments later for dissent. Scott Wilson capitalized on a subsequent penalty for Bath City to level the score, but Horsham’s relentless pressure paid off when Hester-Cook nodded home the decisive goal, extending the Romans’ winless league streak to ten matches.
Bath City’s manager Darren Way recalled key players Joe Raynes, Dan Greenslade, and Jordan Alves for the trip to West Sussex to face Dom Di Paola’s injury-depleted side, whose bench featured two teenagers. Early on, Bath showed signs of energy with Luke Russe and Wilson creating chances, while Wiles-Richards repeatedly thwarted Horsham’s attackers, including Luer and Shamir Fenelon.
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Despite a tactical formation change that initially stemmed the tide, Bath’s defensive lapses allowed Horsham to break the deadlock when Luer scored from a corner. Following the controversial penalty, which Bath players and staff openly contested, the dismissal of Raynes left the visitors at a disadvantage.
Bath responded admirably, with Greenslade winning a penalty after Wilson was fouled; Wilson made no mistake from the spot to bring the game back level. Horsham, however, introduced Hester-Cook, whose presence proved decisive. After being denied twice by Wiles-Richards, Hester-Cook finally scored from a precise James Hammond cross, clinching the win.
City’s frustrations were compounded when substitute Matt Bowman suffered a hamstring injury late on, joining Batten on the sidelines. Horsham maintained control in the final moments, securing only their third league win in sixteen matches, while Bath’s extended winless run marks their longest since the 2011/12 season.
Post-match, Darren Way expressed his disappointment with the officiating, stating, “The referee hasn’t helped us. We don’t need a referee to perform in that way in the position we’re in. It affected our team emotionally. Even their staff and players knew it wasn’t a penalty. Having said that, I don’t want to put everything on him. We had some good passages of play in the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we didn’t take those chances and it put us under pressure. Harvey was world class at the other end. We got the game back after conceding a poor goal, and I’m proud of the players for their reaction. It’s very demanding on them. We’re not giving up on this fight.”