A game of two halves saw Bromley relinquish not only a two goal lead but more importantly the leadership of the Vanarama Conference South.

Following last Saturday’s defeat to relegated Staines Town the pressure was all on the Ravens to ensure they did not return from Bath empty-handed. Whilst they were able to achieve this objective there will be huge disappointment at the fact that Bromley allowed the equalising goal in the 89th minute.

The opening fifteen minutes witnessed a lively start from both teams amidst difficult conditions. The swirling wind made it very difficult for either side to play free flowing football but that did not hinder early chances being created. The first half-chance fell to Bradley Goldberg in the 10th minute, a free kick from 25 yards by Anthony Cook skipped off the ground just in front of Jason Mellor and his subsequent parry was inches away from being turned in by Goldberg only for Mellor to save bravely at his feet.

Five minutes later Bath fashioned their first opportunity of the game the lively Ross Stearn picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and let fly but Alan Julian was equal to the dipping, swerving effort saving well with his feet.

Predictably it was to be the weather that had a hand in the first goal. Dan Ball misjudged a through ball and Goldberg was quick to capitalise on the mistake, racing through and expertly placing a shot high into the top corner of the net.

The goal gave Bromley confidence and they promptly proceeded to take control of the game, in the 35th minute, trickery from Cook on the left wing saw him slalom past two Bath defenders before being tripped in the penalty area. Cook promptly dusted himself down and deposited the resultant penalty low to Mellor’s right to give Bromley a two goal lead.

Two goals to the good at half time and looking relatively comfortable Bromley fans could have been forgiven for thinking the ravens just had to keep it steady in the second half. However that did not factor in for the resurgence and dominance Bath showed in the second half.

As early as the 47th minute Bath made their intentions clear, good work from Stearn created an opening for Chas Hemmings but his fierce drive was well saved by Julian, once again with his feet. Ten minutes later Nick McCootie showed quick feet to slip past Rob Swaine in the penalty area however as he was about to pull the trigger a combination of his slip and an onrushing Julian prevented the opportunity.

Bath were not to be denied and a minute later McCootie brought them back into the game. Excellent hold up play by his strike partner Dave Pratt and an incisive pass allowed an on rushing McCootie to unleash a fierce drive across Julian which deflected off Joe Anderson and into the Bromley goal.

With the wind behind them and their tails up, Bath took a firm stranglehold over the game as Bromley dropped deeper and deeper, Stearn should have levelled the game with a quarter of an hour remaining when he found himself in space in the penalty area but lashed the ball high and wide when it was surely easier to score.

One goalmouth scramble aside Bromley failed to test Mellor in the Bath goal for the whole of the second half and it came as no surprise to the visiting fans when Bath deservedly equalised in the 89th minute. Excellent link up play between Pratt and Stearn allowed the latter to send in a testing cross that Callum McNaughton could only succeed in heading into the path of Andy Watkins who made no mistake with his shot into the roof of the net.

Although the referee’s assistant signalled for five minutes of injury time, the closest either side came was courtesy of a Danny Waldren header, that hit the roof of the header, from a Paul Rodgers cross.

As the final whistle sounded and the other Conference South results rolled in, Bromley were left to reflect on a result that they would have taken before the game but must see as two points dropped in the context of the match itself.

With Boreham Wood now at the summit of the Conference South one point clear of Bromley having played a game more.

The magnitude of next week’s encounter between Bromley and Boreham Wood does not need amplifying indeed Captain Rob Swaine reflecting on the draw with Bath and next week’s intriguing top two clash said “Today’s match was a game of two halves. The hill and the wind made a difference but there were a lot of positives that came out of the game, as for next week it’s a massive game for both clubs. One which we are very much looking forward to”.

Bath City: Mellor, Bowman, Simpson, Keary, Ball (c), Diallo, Stearn, Hemmings, Pratt, McCootie (Watkins 82), Kington.

Subs not used: Allen, Gallinagh, Rollo, Perry.

Bromley: Julian, Rodgers, Anderson, Fuseini, Swaine (c), McNaughton, Ademola (Waldren 80), Prestedge, Slabber (May 45), Goldberg, Cook.

Subs not used: Dennis, Pinnock, Joseph-Dubois,

Attendance: 551
Referee: Mr John O’Brien
Assistants: Mr Jonathan Creswick and Mr Paul Lister