Monday 2 January 2006 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm

Southern League Premier Division
half-time: 1-0 result: W2-0 attendance: 585
team: Evans, Rollo (c), S Jones, Coupe, G Jones, Harris (Holloway 84), Bird, Clarke, Walsh, Partridge, Power (Davidge 71). subs not used: York, Shackell, Sandell.
man of the match: Steve Jones
scorers: G Jones (39), Partridge (75)
bookings: Clarke (58), S Jones (88)
officials: K Johnson (Bristol), M Pottage (Wincanton), S Barclay (Sherbourne)
league position: 7th form: DWWLLW next match: Bedford (H)
Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

Bath City banished bad memories of back-to-back defeats at the end of 2005 with a dominant new year win over struggling Evesham. In terms of points and confidence the result was more important than the performance but City's lack of killer instinct in front of goal is still a major cause for concern near the turn of the season after they wasted a glut of chances in the second half. In every other aspect, the team from Twerton were excellent and the outcome seldom looked in doubt.

Scott Partridge caused the defence-minded visitors many problems in an unfamiliar right-wing role as City continually carved open Evesham. Adie Harris was the first to test Evesham keeper David Adey with a header from a Tony Bird free-kick. Bird then deceived Adey with a deep cross that hit the post and the Evesham No 1 was immediately forced to tip over a Dean Clarke shot from the rebound. Steve Jones hit the top of the crossbar with one header and fired wide with another minutes later. The game's turning point came when Gavin O'Toole was sent off. The United skipper may have had some cause for complaint for the first booking after a poor tackle on Matt Coupe but he only has himself to blame for the second following a very late lunge on Harris which he stupidly debated with the referee. Gethin Jones compounded Evesham's misery less than two minutes later when his pin-point header flew into the net from a Bird corner.

Walsh had two efforts stopped by the keeper for dominant City after the break, while a Steve Jones header went wide and Jim Rollo saw his shot blocked after a good solo run - but the half's brightest moment came from Evesham when the substitution of former City favourite John Williams brought a round of applause from the Twerton crowd. City should have been at least three goals in front by then, but Partridge made it 2-0 with a header from a rebounded Rollo shot.