Away | 15 August 2026
Villa sustain first defeat at step 3
By | James Williams
Hanworth Villa narrowly lost out to Bath City in a tough test in the heat at Twerton Park.
Romans’ winger Ollie Chamberlain scored the only goal infront of 1,113 at Twerton Park to keep up Bath’s unbeaten start.
Manager Simon Haughney named an unchanged side from the team that won away at Gosport Borough just 3 days earlier.
It was a relatively slow start in the Southwest sun; Villa had made the better start to the game but couldn’t really trouble Bath keeper Harvey Wiles-Richards.
The game did start to come alive following the first half hydration break. Tyla Dickinson was the first keeper to be properly tested on the 27 minute. Scott Wilson hit a hard low driven effort across goal but was denied from a strong arm by Dickinson.
It was Bath who carried the momentum after the hydration break and went on to break the deadlock 10 minutes after. Harry Parsons is found in space on the right and has enough time to play across the face of goal where Ollie Chamberlain is there to tap in and give Bath the opener.
Haughney on the importance of the opening goal. “I think the first goal was going to be important today. They got the first goal, you know. So, the game was theirs to throw away. But look, credit to them; they defended stoutly at the end.”
Villa did respond well following the setback. A number of chances included a Wells free kick that wasn't far wide. As well as a dangerous ball across goal by Billy Nutbeam that had no takers on the end of it.
Villa’s best chance comes 3 minutes before the break. Toure Williams hit a sweet curling effort that was destined for the top corner, only to be denied from a stunning save by the Romans keeper Wiles-Richards.
Both sides started the early parts of the second half with chances. Until Villa come within a few inches of scoring, for a second time. Haydon Vaughan struck a powerful attempt from 25 yards out only to see his effort cannon off the upright and away to safety.
Josh Casey was the next man to come close in a second half where the Villains were growing ever dangerous. A short corner was played into the box to substitute Jake Leahy who acrobatically found Michael Harding who under tight pressure then found Casey. He drills the ball across goal and just wide of the far post.
The game became end-to-end as it headed into the last 15 minutes. A quick bath counter forced Dickinson to save Substitute Streczen’s low shot. A. comfortable save for Tyla in the end.
That chance being one of the only for either side in the end. Villa had put the pressure on but couldn't find anything else to trouble the Bath goal.
Haughney speaking on the result. “Did we do enough to win? Probably not. But I do feel that we deserve something the game 100%, But that's football. You don't get sometimes what you deserve.
we gave a good account of ourselves today, and I don't think we looked overawed coming here. I think we gave a good account of ourselves to answer your question; we now got Tuesday and Thursday. I've just said to the boys what I think we need to work on, so we'll be working on that Tuesday and Thursday, then I think we could win next Saturday.
Villa now have a week to rest up and go again Next Saturday, 22 August vs Evesham at Rectory Meadow. 3pm Kick-off.
Be massive for us, so a big game Saturday, Evesham, big game.”
Ending on the Villa support today, Haughney added. “I look around and to see the Villa supporters today. Two and a half hours, I must say we absolutely love it, and we cannot from the bottom of our hearts, appreciate them making that journey. And we could hear them today, so thank you again.”
