The Season So Far:
Aces FC are a bit of an enigma – seemingly no social media presence and just the odd mention online courtesy of opponents mentioning a score line or a local paper announcing when they joined the Trowbridge & District League (TDFL) back in 2014. What I could discern is that they are a Bath-based team… and that is about it. Their home games are played at the Sulis Sports Club which is owned by the nearby University of Bath, but to be honest has probably seen better days.
Their previous 2 games have been awarded to the opposition, presumably for Aces being unable to raise a side (although I’m happy to be corrected on that matter). On January 15th they came up against TDFL Division 2 runaway winners Seend United and found themselves on the wrong end of a 13-0 scoreline in the A&B Cup. Their last win came in the League back at the start of December when they beat Bradford Town A 2-0 at home. They are sat in 8th (of 10) in the TDFL Division 2 with just a handful of wins so far, but at least a couple of games in hand over the other teams in the division.
Shrewton United Development share a league with their hosts today and are currently 4th in the league. Last weekend they lost narrowly to The Duke FC, who they drew with the week before that. Both of those games were in the Spring Cup (as is today’s match). Shrewton’s last league action saw them beat Dilton Marsh Wanderers 3-1 at home in mid December. Their stand out result came at the end of November when they thrashed Calne Eagles 9-1.
The Visit:
I got the bus as far as the bottom of Brassknocker Hill, a notoriously steep and unforgiving slope on the outskirts of Bath. I found the public footpath and began my ascent – it was everything I feared but thankfully not too long a trek, distance-wise. The Sulis Sports Club is just off the footpath and along the road from the University of Bath’s main campus. The University has an impressive sports setup at that campus which may go some way towards explaining the feeling that the Sulis Sports Club has been somewhat forgotten about. There are maybe 4 pitches to one side of a building which I presume houses changing rooms.
Shrewton had the first big chance of the game on 13 minutes but the shot was straight at the Aces keeper after a free kick was blocked. Another free kick 10 minutes later for the visitors hit the outside of the post. The deadlock was broken with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half – a penalty awarded for handball by an Aces player; it was duly dispatched. Shrewton’s lead was doubled on 41 minutes – it was an emphatic finish that hit the underside of the bar and flew into the net.
Saba Claudiu got a goal back 9 minutes into the second half. A great low finish into the bottom corner with the side of his foot. It was very much game on – something I wouldn’t have expected to be saying at the end of the first period. The equaliser nearly came on 66 minutes – the Shrewton keeper completely missed his kicked but then made up for it with a point blank save. The home side were really pressing – a thunderous shot smashed off the bar and the rebound came at number 14 too hard for him to capitalise on. With time running out, the Aces number 11 had a couple of really good chances – a shot cleared off the line went out for a corner. From this corner his header was deflected off target. They huffed and puffed but the home team were unable to find an equaliser.
WEST COUNTRY FOOTBALL 