Mendy's early bath part of a humbling away visit to City

Hemel were dealt an early blow when a free-kick from City’s Axel Andresson went up and over the wall and into the top right hand corner.

Matters only got worse from there for the Tudors when Arnaud Mendy was shown a straight red for a last-ditch challenge in the penalty area.

Andresson stepped up to slot it into the corner, sending Jamie Butler the wrong way.

The game was looking more and more like an impossible task for boss Dean Brennan’s men.

Hemel did have their chances and a low shot from skipper Jordan Parkes ricocheted off a Bath defender.

By the 31st minute Hemel were trailing by three goals after a low cross from out wide led to a simple tap in for Shawn McCoulsky.

The game was done and dusted by the half-hour and Hemel couldn’t cope with ten men on the pitch and it was evident to see.

Ten minutes later, Bath made it four and it was another easy goal for the hosts. A cross from the flank was floated to the near post where Nick McCootie headed home from 12 yards.

In the second half, Bath penetrated down the left flank and scored with a looped header over a stranded Butler to make it 5-0 with 30 minutes left.

Hemel did have a rare chance from Charlie Sheringham when he tried to take it round the Bath keeper but the stopper nicked the ball.

Parkes was also kept out of after a good save.

Bath concluded the rout with a sixth goal in the second minute of injury time.

Hemel now remain in 10th place and 11 points adrift of the playoffs. Bath are now just one point behind Hemel with two games in hand and City’s goal difference improved to +18, against Hemel’s -4.

This Saturday Hemel host bottom-of-the-table Margate at Vauxhall Road (3pm).

Hemel: Butler, Driver, Jackson (Asafu-Adjaye 62), Parkes, Diagne, Kaloczi, Greenhalgh (Singh 78), Saunders, Robinson (Warren 90), Sheringham, Mendy.

Subs not used: Parrott, Johnson.