Bath City 1-0 Maidenhead United
Twerton Park
Att: 501
23/11/13
This was to be, aged 17 years and two months, my 300th football ground for a game, and at a ground I have fallen in love with, even going as far as proclaiming it my favourite in England. Twerton Park had been on my radar since the start of the season, but train price structuring makes little sense, and to leave on the day would cost more a rather hefty £30 return. Instead I took a gamble, bought cheap train tickets in advance and headed to the stunning city of Bath. Bath is a city that I'd recommend to anyone, whether there is Football, Rugby or no sport (Although the rugby ground itself is in a glorious location) will Phil describing the city as the 'English Brugge'.
As it is Twerton Park is a 25 minute walk from the station, walking along the river on a day like this is rather enjoyable. Walking under the railway bridge as you approach the ground greets you with THE view that I associate with grounds, the floodlights looming above the surrounding terrace houses. Because of the length of walk I set off early and managed to get to the ground before the turnstiles had opened, and on Louis' (Terrace Photography) advice I headed up to the fields behind the ground to take some photos. The view from them is truly breathtaking, stretching to the surrounding hills well beyond the Roman city, as well as a nice view over the ground nestled below. Having done this I made my way in, met Louis (who'd been helping out with the ground) and wandered around taking photo's.
Twerton Park (or Mayday Trust Park) initially opened in June 1909, with Bath City moving in in 1932. The ground has famously been home to Bristol Rovers between 1986-1996, and not so famously Team Bath (The university side) until their resignation from the Conference South in 2008/9. Currently the ground has a capacity of a little over 8,000. You enter at the bottom of the main stand, but can't view the pitch until you make your way up the slope. At the near end is a small, triangular almost, open terrace which is rather shallow. This swings round onto the covered terrace, my favourite part of the ground. This is more than a reasonable size, with graffiti from the Bristol Rovers days sill present. The far end, the Bristol End, is a large open terrace (think Ebbsfleet) that is given to away fans when segregation is needed. The final side houses all the seats within the ground. Nearest the Bristol End is a small family stand, and next to the the elevated Main Stand. I imagine views are fairly good, despite the supporting pillars. This had been the victim of an Arson attack in 1990, with 7 Bristol City fans convicted. In front of the main stand is a small terrace.
The game, unlike the ground, was unremarkable. Before the goal it was somewhat entertaining. The best chance, prior to the goal, both came from Bath City. The first of which was when Dave Pratt fired the ball into the arms of the keeper, despite being clean on goal. The next shot was to be the only goal of the match, in the 23rd minute. When a cross from the right was headed off the post by Pratt, who happens to be Ex-Maidenhead. The rest of the game was rather dour, with little in the way of chances or free-flowing moves, although Bath did enough to see of their visitors.
I didn't mind that the game didn't match the ground, indeed I would've felt spoilt if it did. Instead I'm glad I left it for a 'milestone' number, as it truly is a special place. Hopefully my next visit is with a crowd similar to this, a must-visit venue in a must-visit city.
As it is Twerton Park is a 25 minute walk from the station, walking along the river on a day like this is rather enjoyable. Walking under the railway bridge as you approach the ground greets you with THE view that I associate with grounds, the floodlights looming above the surrounding terrace houses. Because of the length of walk I set off early and managed to get to the ground before the turnstiles had opened, and on Louis' (Terrace Photography) advice I headed up to the fields behind the ground to take some photos. The view from them is truly breathtaking, stretching to the surrounding hills well beyond the Roman city, as well as a nice view over the ground nestled below. Having done this I made my way in, met Louis (who'd been helping out with the ground) and wandered around taking photo's.
Twerton Park (or Mayday Trust Park) initially opened in June 1909, with Bath City moving in in 1932. The ground has famously been home to Bristol Rovers between 1986-1996, and not so famously Team Bath (The university side) until their resignation from the Conference South in 2008/9. Currently the ground has a capacity of a little over 8,000. You enter at the bottom of the main stand, but can't view the pitch until you make your way up the slope. At the near end is a small, triangular almost, open terrace which is rather shallow. This swings round onto the covered terrace, my favourite part of the ground. This is more than a reasonable size, with graffiti from the Bristol Rovers days sill present. The far end, the Bristol End, is a large open terrace (think Ebbsfleet) that is given to away fans when segregation is needed. The final side houses all the seats within the ground. Nearest the Bristol End is a small family stand, and next to the the elevated Main Stand. I imagine views are fairly good, despite the supporting pillars. This had been the victim of an Arson attack in 1990, with 7 Bristol City fans convicted. In front of the main stand is a small terrace.
The game, unlike the ground, was unremarkable. Before the goal it was somewhat entertaining. The best chance, prior to the goal, both came from Bath City. The first of which was when Dave Pratt fired the ball into the arms of the keeper, despite being clean on goal. The next shot was to be the only goal of the match, in the 23rd minute. When a cross from the right was headed off the post by Pratt, who happens to be Ex-Maidenhead. The rest of the game was rather dour, with little in the way of chances or free-flowing moves, although Bath did enough to see of their visitors.
I didn't mind that the game didn't match the ground, indeed I would've felt spoilt if it did. Instead I'm glad I left it for a 'milestone' number, as it truly is a special place. Hopefully my next visit is with a crowd similar to this, a must-visit venue in a must-visit city.