Bath City’s 2025/26 season came to an agonizing close with a last-minute goal conceding a crucial point, perfectly encapsulating a campaign filled with frustration and missed opportunities.
The team has conceded ten league goals in stoppage time this season, resulting in the loss of nine valuable points. Even without these late goals, City would have faced relegation—by only one point rather than seven—highlighting just how narrowly survival slipped away and underscoring the wider struggles throughout the season.
While managers often describe certain grounds as “difficult places to go,” Twerton Park is not among them. Unfortunately, Bath City’s poor home form — just 25 points from 23 games, scoring only 24 goals — has been a significant factor in their decline. Their inability to find the net at home on ten occasions matched a club record set in the 1993/94 season.
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Last year’s defensive solidity under Darren Way, while unspectacular, was effective. City conceded just 48 goals while scoring 47, scraping by with tight defense. This season, however, their defence has shown cracks, allowing 54 goals in 2025 and already 52 in 2026, indicating defensive frailty that became impossible to ignore.
Offensively, creativity was scarce until Scott Bartlett took charge. The loss of key forward Will Jenkins Davies to injury in November proved devastating. Before his injury, City was hovering just above danger, but without him, victories became rare — just two in 20 league matches — including a crucial 3-2 win against the eventual champions Worthing, where Jenkins Davies scored twice.
A dreadful run of 14 matches without a win in the National League South, combined with failed attempts to seize survival during games in hand, sealed City’s fate. A particularly demoralizing 1-0 defeat to fellow strugglers Farnborough, shortly after a heavy 7-1 loss to Chelmsford, should have prompted managerial change. Though Darren Way was retained briefly, consecutive defeats against Horsham and Tonbridge eventually led to his departure.
Scott Bartlett’s arrival injected fresh hope, though his deal came late and he inherited a demoralized squad lacking creativity. Despite this, City managed ten points from eight matches, a decent response with only one goalless game against the league leaders Maidenhead.
Striker Scott Wilson’s second-half resurgence has been a rare bright spot. After a subdued first half of the season and a loan spell at Weston-super-Mare, Wilson’s seven goals in the closing stages, including a decisive winner over Chippenham, revitalized his City career. His partnership with cousin Donovan Wilson — who added three goals — has been promising.
Bartlett’s squad has quality assets to build on. Joe Raynes, clear winner of the end-of-season awards, is keen to stay, while Jenkins Davies and Jordan Tillson remain under contract. Despite Harvey Wiles-Richards’ injury setbacks, his return could be vital at Step 3. Emerging talents like Charlie Binns, who impressed late in the season, also bring hope.
However, the defensive issues cannot be overlooked. Conceding 46 league goals since the new year reflects a need for greater discipline and resilience. Bartlett has hinted at recruiting locally to find more affordable, hardworking players and plans to seek a combative midfield presence similar to Harry Pell, whose injury-enforced retirement was another blow.
Bartlett’s experience is promising. Having won the Southern Premier South in 2023 with Weston-super-Mare, he understands what it takes to succeed at this level. The club’s loyal supporters, despite a tough season, remain a vital force and will rally behind a team playing with ambition and entertaining football.
Although adjusting to Southern League football for the first time in 19 years will be a challenge, City has history on its side, having won just 25 of 126 games during prior successful spells in this division.
Bath City are determined not to repeat pitfalls facing clubs like Weymouth, recently suffering back-to-back relegations. With key adjustments on and off the pitch, they have the potential to mount a strong challenge next season.
For now, the players and fans can embrace a well-deserved break while eagerly anticipating an intriguing and transformative summer transfer window.