Radstock Town lost out to Conference South side, Bath City, in the First Round of this year's Somerset Senior Cup on Monday night.
A healthy crowd of 130 braved a chilly night at Southfields Recreation Ground to watch the Miners take on a developmental Bath City squad, largely made up of Youth Team and Academy players. Former Paulton Rovers favourite, Nick McCootie, started for City, who fielded a completely changed eleven from that which beat Sutton United in the league on Saturday.
City could have gone ahead within seconds of the kick-off, a looping effort from distance going narrowly wide of the left- hand upright. The Miners responded brightly, Jack Metcalf shooting from distance, but for all their early promise,Radstock proved masters of their own downfall, failing to clear the first corner of the game and allowing James Stinson to head Bath City ahead after ten minutes.
Despite going a goal down, Radstock reacted well, their energetic pressing game not allowing the visitors to settle on the ball. Yet for all their endeavour in the midfield, Radstock were unable to make their possession count in the final third.As the first half wore on, it looked like the visitors were the more frustrated at not being able to extend their lead. Bath City's patient passing game was being cancelled out by a tenacious Radstock performance, spearheaded by the impressive midfield duo of Jack Metcalf and Ryan Child.
After the half-time break, Radstock continued their positive attacking style of play, but were unable to find a way through the well-organised Bath City defence. Midway through the second half, Bath's passing game finally started to tell, stretching the Radstock defence and drawing a reckless challenge that resulted in a penalty kick. Having had a quiet game by his standards, Nick McCootie stepped up to score past the Radstock goalkeeper, Ashley Maw.
This second Bath goal effectively ended the game as a contest, but didn't dampen the Miners' spirits, who pushed hard for a goal of their own. The introduction of the experienced Darren Brown with fifteen minutes to go added much-needed direction to the Radstock attack. Brown was instrumental in bringing the Radstock forwards more into the game as Bath were happy to play out the remaining minutes of the match.
At the full-time whistle, Bath City emerged 2–0 winners, but the Radstock faithful can take plenty of positives from an enthusiastic performance that builds upon the improved form the Miners have shown in recent weeks.