British Gas Business Football League Premier Division
Saturday 26 August 2006 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm
half-time: 0-0 result: D0-0 attendance: 642
team: Evans, Rollo (c) (Davidge 54), Green (Rogers 82), Coupe, G Jones, Holland, Clarke, Hogg, Pepperell (Walsh 67), Partridge, McKeever. subs not used: S Jones, Holloway.
man of the match: Mark McKeever
scorers: none
bookings: none
officials: M Halford (Bristol), B Matthews (Salisbury), M Gentle (Salisbury)
league position: 5th form: ---WDd next match: Team Bath (A)
Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

Bath City's old problems returned to haunt them as the BGB Premier Division favourites failed to beat last week's league leaders despite dominating the match from the start. It's still too early in the season to read too much into what was no more than a disappointing draw but the fact that City did not make the net bulge after 90 minutes of almost constant possession has worrying echoes of the early form that ultimately cost them a title challenge last season.

It should be pointed out that Northwood defended superbly. Under as much pressure as City dished out, most Southern League back fours would have passed up at least a couple of clear chances through mistakes. A few unconvincing claims from the goalkeeper aside, City were made to sweat for every chance they created as the visitors repulsed attack after attack whilst always looking to break back. Had City not spurned their best chance after two minutes they could well have gone on to claim a hatful. The ever-inventive Mark McKeever had already tested the keeper with an excellent well-placed corner when he swung in another set-piece which somehow fell at the feet of Jim Rollo. With his back to goal, the City skipper only had time to turn and pull his leg back before keeper Rob Bullivant had smothered the danger. It signalled the start of a frustrating afternoon for City. Lewis Hogg smashed a 25-yard shot just wide after 20 minutes. It turned out to be a sighter for his next effort, a superb, 30-yard blast that Bullivant just managed to turn over with his fingertips. A Matt Coupe header, again from a McKeever corner, was the only other chance of the half and the worry at the break was that City's opponents could only improve and come back into the game in the second half - as had happened in their previous two games. If anything, City's dominance grew.

Scott Partridge missed two close range chances, again from corners, as City started to push men forward. With Northwood defending deeper and with increasing numbers, John Relish threw on Phil Walsh and Craig Davidge with the latter causing all sorts of problems on the right wing. It was Walsh who came close to nabbing the winner, though, with a back-post header that somehow sailed across the face of goal and went out for a goal-kick. Northwood came very close to stealing a late winner when Lee Tunnell managed to get away with a blatant trip on Gethin Jones' to put him clean through, only for Paul Evans to make a vital stop.