Last
updated: 12/04/08
Classy Bath Win Trophy cup
Bath
2nd's won the BUSA trophy after an emphatic 5-0 victory over fellow
finalists Plymouth at Don Valley Stadium.
Goals from Paul Simmons (45,55), Ian Parks (70) and substitute Sion
Kitson (80,85) ensured Bath the victory in a match that they dominated
from start to finish.
Despite a massive effort from both sides, the first half never really
got going. And although Bath had the majority of possession they failed
to make it count in and around the final third. It wasn’t until
the game approached the half time mark that their possession started
to tell.
Their first real chance came when right back, Martin Graham, whipped
in a superb cross that found the head of his captain Daniel Lucas, who
had to watch his header cannon off the woodwork and out of play. But
seconds later, just before the half time whistle, Bath scored the goal
that they deserved.
Paul Simmons reacted quickly to head the ball into an empty net after
Fadi Saade pulled off a terrific save.
The goal must have demoralised a spirited Plymouth outfit and things
were only going to get worse for them. It was only ten minutes into
the second half when Simmons latched onto a loose clearance and raced
through on goal. He kept his cool and slotted it past Saade to score
his and his team’s second goal of the match.
Another
defensive error lead to the third goal of the night. Centre midfielder,
Ian Parks, reacted before any of the Plymouth defenders to tuck the
ball home.
With the third goal all but killing off the game, Bath started to ooze
confidence and played some terrific football on the attack.
Substitute Sion Kitson took full advantage of the 20 minutes given to
him, bagging himself two goals.
His first came after he rolled his marker and latched onto Daniel Lucas’
through ball. The finish looked all too easy for him as he smashed it
in from six yards.
There was nothing easy about his second goal, he cut in from the flank
and curled a delightful shot past Saade into the top corner.
This was the final nail in the coffin for a battling Plymouth who just
simply failed to cope with Bath’s passing and movement.
One positive note for Plymouth was that their fans sang relentlessly
from the first minute until the last. It was the kind of support that
helped Plymouth get to the final.
And although they lost they still had a good run in the competition
knocking out St Mary’s, Essex and Nottingham along the way.
They also achieved a very respectable third place in the Western Conference
Men’s 1A division.
Winners, Bath 2nd’s, defeated Portsmouth, Warwick and Worcester
on the road to the final and have secured a league and cup double, claiming
the same league as Plymouth, the Western Conference Men’s 1A.
by Terry Godfrey
