The extremely wet and windy conditions on Saturday did nothing to dampen this lively encounter in the quarter final of the Wilts Senior cup. although the pitch was very wet the competition was fierce and thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd. Supermarine opened the game in lively mood but as Bassett settled to the task they gradually began to take control. Bassett's back four, including new-boy Jon Haines, were playing solidly and snuffed out Supermarine's attacks before danger threatened, releasing the ball to midfield and front men. Bassett should have taken the lead after 20 minutes. Harrison skipped past his man wide on the right and took the ball to the by-line before firing it low and hard into the goalmouth. When it looked easier to score than miss, Hanrahan somehow contrived to miss the ball and Spackman in the Supermarine goal smothered it. Seven minutes later Bassett's appeals for a penalty were turned down after Harrison looked to have been bundled off the ball. Supermarine's best chance of the half came when Rees had to dive smartly to his left to turn away a fierce drive.

The second half opened with Supermarine taking the game to Bassett. Whilst maintaining the pressure and limiting Bassett to the odd breakaway, they failed to create any clear-cut chances, and it was Bassett who opened the scoring in the 60th minute. Mitch John mad a fine run from right fullback and delivered a good cross which was met by York, who gave Spackman no chance. However, this did not stop the Supermarine pressure and five minutes later they equalised when the ball was finally forced home after McKay had cleared off the line and Rees had pulled off a fine point blank save. Following the equaliser Bassett increased their work rate and started t take the game to Supermarine again. Hanrahan and York both missed good opportunities before frost blew a golden chance to win the game when four yards out, he side footed straight into the arms of Spackman. Supermarine also created further chances and Rees had to be alert when twice smothering the ball with onrushing forwards closing in. And so the game went into extra time but though both sides pushed on relentlessly few clear cut chances were created, the best falling to Supermarine when Fisher's snapshot was turned over the bar by Rees. All in all, a draw was probably a fair result although Bassett had the clearest chances to win it. The replay at Supermarine next week is eagerly awaited. If the teams are still level after that penalties will be needed to decide who will face Bromham in the semi-final.

Credit: Paul Harrison
Last modified on Sunday 15th November 2020 at 20:11