Lively draw brings end to Romans' latest season

Nine-man Aveley held Bath City to a fiery draw to conclude the 2024/25 season.

- Mark Stillman

The already-relegated hosts took an early lead through Luke Holness, before having Jason Ring and Harry Beadle dismissed within the hour.

Jesse Nwabueze levelled from the spot, awarded following Beadle’s red card.

The Millers took a shock lead through David Kawa but Scott Wilson levelled with three minutes left to clinch a point, and the sealed him the Golden Boot for Bath City this term with ten to his name.

City's excellent revival under Darren Way meant they arrived at Parkside with little to play for in their 650th National League South contest.

On the flip side, Aveley were relegated five games previous, but wanted to end Danny Scopes’ tenure on a high with the manager having already announced his departure after three-and-a-half largely successful years.

His side nearly made a dream start inside three minutes when Holness’ shot from 30 yards deflected heavily off the heels of Kieran Parselle and flew narrowly wide with Harvey Wiles-Richards at full stretch.

The front man wasn’t to be denied shortly after. Benefiting from a cute back header from Deese Kasinga, Holness escaped the clutches of Ollie Tomlinson and stabbed home past the exposed Wiles-Richards to put the hosts ahead - the first goal City had conceded in the first half for 16 games.

The Romans set about putting things right. Ewan Clark’s positive run was ended by a cynical foul from Ring on the edge of the box and a straightforward caution.