British Gas Business Football League Premier Division
Saturday 9 December - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm
half-time: 1-1 result: L1-2 attendance: 609
team: Evans, Rollo (c), Green, Coupe, Holland, S Jones, Rogers, Hogg, Edwards, Partridge, McKeever (Davidge 72 (Zarczynski 84)). subs not used: Clarke, York, Simpson.
man of the match: Chris Holland
scorers: Partridge (36)
bookings: Coupe (88)
officials: to follow
league position: 2nd form: WLDWWL next match: Clevedon (A) (EC)
Report taken from by Richard Gadsby

Even the Bath City boo-boys were strangely silent after this disappointing defeat as football took a back seat to concern over the health of fans' favourite Craig Davidge.The 'Greased Whippet', as he is affectionately called by fans, was rushed to hospital after, literally, running into a wall late in the game. The collision left the youngster barely conscious and prompted a 40-minute delay to proceedings. It marred an otherwise entertaining game with City hit by two sucker punches after failing to make the most of their own chances.

John Relish's side flew out of the traps, swarming over the Hitchin penalty area with some excellent football. Darren Edwards and Scott Rogers both came close in the opening ten minutes with Hitchin forced to try and hit on the break. City's first golden opportunity fell to Scott Partridge. A move which started with a throw out from Paul Evans saw Lewis Hogg pick out Edwards with a great through ball. He unselfishly played in Partridge, who was unmarked in the box, but, for once, the striker's touch deserted him and he stumbled over the ball, rolling it into the keeper's grasp. City were made to pay when Hitchin took the lead five minutes later. A lucky bounce from an otherwise solid Jim Rollo tackle seemed to deceive Rogers and Daniel French ran on to slot home. City found themselves back on level terms before the break, ironically as Hitchin were starting to come into the game. A Mark McKeever free-kick eventually fell to Matt Coupe on the right and his cross across the face of goal was turned home at close range by Partridge.

City started the second half as they had the first with Hitchin soaking up plenty of pressure. Hitchin keeper Robert Beckwith made an excellent stop with his feet from a Chris Holland header, Edwards also stung Beckwith's hands and then Partridge again missed a great opening. A simple ball over the top left the City striker clean through, but he fired his shot far too close to the keeper who again saved with his legs. Hitchin made the most of City's wastefulness when, with 20 minutes to go, Chris Dillon turned in a French cross from five yards out. French then had to be stretchered off following an innocent challenge with Hogg and, just minutes later, the Davidge injury ended the head of steam City had been building up. When the game finally restarted, following the arrival of two emergency vehicles, there was under ten minutes left and it took that long for the two sides to find their rhythm again. Chris Holland put City's best chance wide and Dillon fired into the side-netting at the other end.