Chippenham (h)

[Josh2002]

A second chance to mathematically secure safety. A point will do it, and if Farnborough better Chippenham’s result tomorrow, then it will relegate our visitors. Hopefully another decent crowd and atmosphere, as there has been in recent home games.

[Tony]

Chippenham are 11th in the form guide with us 12th. They obviously need the win but have only won once away from home all season. As Josh says a point is enough for us today.

[Thelittleowl1]

Chippenham go down today if Farnborough win and they fail to beat us or if Farnborough get a draw and we win.

[Big Rich]

1-0 down after 11 min. Squeaky bum time.

[Josh2002]

Very poor half.

[Big Rich]

Drew 1-1. A very tepid performance, but safe nonetheless.

[Josh2002]

Safety secured! Had chances to win it, but we’ll be staying above the dotted line and that’s all that matters. Chippenham relegated too, and Bath are all but down due to their inferior goal difference.

[Tony]

Mission accomplished but for 70 minutes it felt decidedly uncomfortable as Chippenham held an early lead for the most part against a toothless Beaver's attack. Despite the majority of possession, we couldn't break down the visitor's well-organised defence and if anything Chippenham looked more dangerous on the counter. Their goal came after just 11 minutes from their first attack following a free kick which was headed in well at the back post. We were too slow in moving the ball forward and created very little of note. Second half continued much in the same vein until Kretzschmar saw his shot well saved by Will Henry, our best chance of the game. Our equaliser came a bit out of the blue when Aaron Lacey repeated the Chippenham goal with a stooping header at the same back post from a corner. Chippenham needed to get forward as with Farnborough also winning they were effectively down unless they could find a winner. We managed to defend reasonably well to see it out and could have won it through Grego-Cox but for a brilliant save from Henry at point blank range.Ince came on for a brief five minutes.

Bath are still mathematically able to sty up but with a worse goal difference than Salisbury and Dover it looks only a matter of time before they meet their destiny. Dowse has done the job he was brought in to do and although it hasn't been the easiest of rides he now gets to plan for the future, which is a bit of a luxury for the club after the last couple of financially fraught seasons.

[Thelittleowl1]

Wasn't pretty but job done.

[Sparky]

That was a nervy performance, but phew, after our descent earlier in the season, major props to Dowse and the team. They’ve done a grand job to keep us up.

Thought Chippenham had done their homework very well, playing with a solid centre, trying to nullify our overloads in central midfield in some recent matches.

But hey, it’s done. Hurrah. Hope we get to keep a few of those players for next season.