The Gulls take on The Romans on Non-League Day at Plainmoor
Having won three successive wins on the road, Paul Wotton’s side will be looking to replicate that form at home tomorrow, as the battle for National League South promotion heads into the final straight.
With United having lost only one game at home all season, Plainmoor remains a challenging place for visiting sides to get a result, however they can take nothing for granted tomorrow, as an improving Bath side look to spoil the NLD party.
Who’s the boss?
Darren Way was appointed Romans manager in December 2024.
After spending the majority of his playing career with Yeovil Town, in January 2006 he joined Swansea City but his time in Wales was beset with injuries and he returned to Somerset in the summer of 2008, but unfortunately he was forced to retire in February 2010.
During his recovery he had carried out coaching and scouting roles for Yeovil and he was appointed officially to the coaching staff after hanging up his boots. After five years as first team coach, during which team the team climbed to the Championship, in December 2015 he was put in temporary charge of the side then, after six games, made the permanent manager, where he remained for three years.
How have they been doing?
Having lost out in the National League South Play-Offs last time out, this season has been one of struggle for the men in black & white.
With a host of City favourites departing in the close season – including Jordan Dyer, Dan Hayfield and Cody Cooke, who all headed to Plainmoor – Jerry Gill’s side found their gaps too much to replace, leading to City’s previous boss parting ways with the Club last December.
The appointment of Darren Way has certainly helped steady the ship, and they arrive on the English Riviera in good form, twelve points ahead of the drop zone and with safety all but secured for next term.
Played for both
Experienced striker Alex Fisher joined City in August 2024 following his release by Yeovil Town at the end of the 23/24 season.
He began his career with Oxford United where he netted twice in 14 appearances for the first team but, after loan spells with Brackley Town and Oxford City, was released in 2009. Alex then joined the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain and spent time with clubs in Belgium and Italy.
In June 2014 he returned to England, first signing for Mansfield Town, and then onto Paul Cox’s hastily-assembled team at Torquay United, before heading north of the border to shave spells with Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Motherwell.
He joined Yeovil in January 2018, and had spells at Exeter City, Newport County before a return to The Glovers. A serious leg injury in April 2023 side-lined him until early 2024, where he joined Oxford City on loan.
Player to watch
Elliott Frear is in his fourth season at Twerton Park, after joining City shortly before the start of the 2021-22 season, following a spell north of the border.
He started his career in Devon with Exeter City before successful spells with Tiverton Town, Salisbury City, Forest Green Rovers (twice) and Motherwell preceded a move to fellow Scottish side Heart of Midlothian, prior to his switch to Bath in the summer of 2021.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 1 – 0 Bath City | National League South | Saturday 4th November 2023
United claimed all three points on the Romans’ last visit to South Devon, as The Gulls ran out 1-0 winners at Plainmoor.
It was Shaun Donnellan’s late strike that eventually decided the match, as Torquay secured a notable against two sides involved in the early season promotion reckoning.
There will also be LIVE commentary of the full match available on TUFC Radio HERE