British Gas Business Football League Premier Division
Saturday 21 April 2007 - Lodge Road - kick off 3.00pm
half-time: 0-1 result: W2-1 attendance: 975
team: Evans, Simpson, Rollo (c) (Davidge 45), G Jones, Holland, Harris, Hogg, S Jones, Edwards (Rogers 64), Prosser (Paul 64), Green. subs not used: Coupe, Clarke.
man of the match: Craig Davidge
scorers: Davidge (70), S Jones (75)
bookings: Evans (54), S Jones (76)
officials: R Greenwood (Plymouth), S Wales (Tewkesbury), T Blanch (Cheltenham)
league position: Champions form: LWDWdW next match: Rugby (H)
Report taken from by Stephen Ware

After Tuesday's false dawn, the sun finally set on the BGB Premier Division title race as Bath City sealed promotion on a balmy afternoon in Bristol. It was a case of better Yate than never for City, who had already squandered one opportunity to clinch the championship when they drew with Mangotsfield in midweek. But John Relish's side made no mistake at the second time of asking, though they had to come from behind against the Bluebells, with goals from super-sub Craig Davidge and Steve Jones canceling out Dave Elsey's early penalty. Both strikes came in five frantic second-half minutes and gave City their first league crown in 29 years in front of a massive band of travelling supporters. Ultimately, the result was insignificant as Team Bath's defeat to Hemel Hempstead meant City would have secured top spot even if they'd lost. But it was fitting, the team that has sat at the summit since January 13 claimed their place in next season's Blue Square Southern in style, taking their points tally to an unbeatable 88 - 11 more than the students who have two games left to play.

Disaster struck in only the sixth when Yate were awarded a penalty that former City defender Elsey converted after Chris Holland clumsily brought down Jake Reid. Yate stopper Sam Pearce had earlier fumbled under pressure from Matt Prosser - making his first start since joining on loan from Newport - and City should have levelled on the quarter-hour mark when Darren Edwards saw his bullet header palmed away. Lewis Hogg's fierce volley then bounced off the Yate keeper's chest and away to safety with Prosser poised to pounce on the loose ball. Adie Harris went close with a deft lob in the 33rd minute after a sublime piece of skill from Sekani Simpson on the right saw him beat two men and centre. As City continued to press, Edwards was a fraction away from getting his toe to a headed Lee Jefferies back-pass that rebounded off the shaky Pearce's knees before being cleared. Despite those opportunities, Relish's side looked short of ideas up front, often opting for aimless long balls forward and it was no surprise they were behind at the interval.

Aaron Blakemore nearly scored direct from a touchline free-kick nine minutes after the restart and a minute later squandered a better opportunity when he had only City No 1 Paul Evans to beat. Pearce did well to repel a trademark Holland header shortly after Martin Paul and Scott Rogers replaced attacking duo Prosser and Edwards in the 64th minute, but that was the best City made of a glut of corners. Lewis Hogg then danced his way past a string of Yate defenders, only to hit his shot against Pearce, before Davidge came in from the cold to grab a priceless goal. The popular wideman has had to be content with warming the bench in recent weeks, but showed no signs of rustiness as he capitalised on confusion in the home defence on 71 minutes, lofting the ball over Pearce and into the net. Five minutes later, City completed their comeback when 37-year-old Steve Jones powered home a header following a Hogg cross. Davidge nearly made it more comfortable in the closing minutes, but his piledriver was blocked on the line by Elsey after another superb Hogg run. At the death, the substitute winger again went close as he saw another shot blocked. But there was no denying City celebrations moments later as manager Relish and his players were mobbed by overjoyed supporters.