An excellent University of Bath sporting display kicked off the Student Union’s first ever Showcase Sport event.
An excellent University of Bath Men’s display kicked off the Student Union’s first ever Showcase Sport event.
Beginning under cloudy conditions, Bath started brightly, with a loud crowd in attendance at the University’s new 3G pitch – the first fully recyclable of its kind in the whole of the UK.
After just four minutes of play, Bath would take the lead. An excellent in swinging corner taken by Dylan Barnes saw James Crabb aim a glancing header past the Bath Spa shot stopper and into the far corner of the net – with Spa’s set piece defending somewhat similar to the kind that Graham Potter likes to employ at West Ham.
Bath’s goal spelled the beginning of what was a dominant first half display by the Blue and Yellows, however, arguably one lacking in clinicality and end product.
A nice interchange of passing down the left hand side led by captain Jack Oatley and holding midfielder Charlie Wallis almost played in Bath for a second – while minutes later, the latter would play in an excellent back post cross with Dylan Barnes heading it onto the bar.
Bath continued to dominate the ball and with it the majority of the game’s chances, seeing frustration grow for Spa with two players subsequently going into the book for late challenges.
The second half began much like the first with two Bath goals scored quickly after the break.
After a penalty was given following a clumsily committed foul from Spa, the spot kick was subsequently calmly converted by number 10, Barnes, who sent the Spa keeper the wrong way to double Bath’s advantage.
The third came just moments later and from another dead ball situation, with Barnes grabbing his second of the match with an excellent left footed free kick from the right hand side of the box that flew into the far top corner.
Spa’s defence continued to be opened up by Bath’s controlled and incisive play, and with Bath’s fourth goal came their first from open play as Theo Back capitalised on space in behind to round the goalkeeper and put the game firmly beyond any doubt.
As Bath sweeped to a win in front of a big home crowd, the goals continued to come with Billy Turl and Ally Wise coming off the bench to add two further goals for the home side with well composed finishes.
In the only downside to Wednesday’s pre-season fixture, Spa would grab a late consolation as Bath’s defence was undone by a speculative long ball that ended with Spa’s marksmen chipping the ball over Bath’s shot stopper, James Stewart.
Giving his thoughts post-match, Richard Hanley-Walsh, the manager of University of Bath’s 2s said:
“I think it was a good event, a good turnout from everybody that turned up. I wasn’t particularly happy with some of the lads in the first half but they picked themselves up and got themselves back out there. We were 1-0 but I expected a bit more and they came out the second half and they smashed it.
“We were struggling to put it in the back of the net first half and that’s what affected us. We literally just couldn’t put it away, we weren’t quite there, it was about 90% there about what we had been working on in pre-season and in the second half they managed to convert the chances and score. A few highlights from me; Dylan Barnes, Billy Turl and James Crabb. They were all outstanding for me today and onto the season in a couple of weeks.”
Questioned on his ambitions for his side this season, Hanley-Wash was clear with his reply, responding: “The league title and cup.”
In the second showcase event of the day, it was Bath Women’s turn to take the spotlight with the side taking on the University of Bristol.
As the clouds cleared and the sun went down, Bath Women showed their dominance right from the first moment with Bath’s tricky forward and captain, Charlie Stanford finding space down the left hand side early to force the keeper into a save at her near post.
Minutes later, Bath would take the lead with an in-swinging free kick headed home by number 11 to mark the first goal of the game.
Bath’s midfield number 8 would double the early advantage with a well taken finish from the edge of the box.
Bath’s third came from a well worked corner that was tapped in back post before Stanford added a superb fourth with a wonderful long range effort.
The fifth would come after the referee awarded a spot kick to the home side – denied by the keeper, number 8 would add her second striking first from the rebound.
Just before the end of the first half the performance took a dampener, when Stanford was sent off for kicking out rashly at Bristol’s fullback.
Bath quickly regained dominance in the second half, however, when an excellent solo run saw Bath Women’s forward go one on one against the Bristol goalkeeper before calmly finishing past her to add a sixth Bath goal.
The dominance continued when number 7 added a superb seventh – and an inventive celebration to add to Bristol’s woes and the fun for Bath. Moments later, an 8th would be added as number 12 finished well to grab her first of the game.
As the second half approached it’s midway point, Bath added a 9th through a Bristol own goal before a 10th was added moments later to make it a truly comprehensive victory for Bath Women.
As the game entered into its final quarter, Bath added their 11th, 12th and 13th goals of the day with the gap in quality between the two sides clear for all to see in what was an entertaining and successful afternoon of sport for the University of Bath.
Speaking of the success of the event, SU Sports Officer, Angus Gueterbock said: “Today’s pilot had a really positive outcome. We had stellar performances from our football and cheerleading clubs, and it was great to see a crowd of 300+ turn up to support!
“URB and backstage were fantastic and it was great to see Boob Team and NeverOK get involved. Today highlighted the strengths and pitfalls of such an event, and we are now better prepared to run these in the future. I am very excited to see where we can take these events going forward.”