Bassett got no more than they deserved after this dismal performance at Rylands Way on Saturday. Given that Ardley's first goal was against the run of play. Bassett's problem was how to convert open play into goals. Ardley's defence was there for the taking, but most of Bassett's moves ended on the 18-yard line - not pretty defending, but at least effective. And anything that went further than that was competently dealt with by keeper Knight.

The feeling was that Ardley would crack, but they didn't, although their occasional forays on goal were easily dealt with by the Bassett defence. That was until the 20th minute when a through ball found Pete Allison on his own and he took his chance to put Ardley one up. While Bassett continued to press as in previous weeks, one wondered where a goal was to come from. It came in the 27th minute, however, and again from a set-piece. Awarded a corner, which was taken by Morgan, Ardley could not clear and the ball dropped nicely for Gavin Barron who volleyed in from eight yards. Things continued in limbo until the 43rd minute when Ardley went in front. This was via penalty, awarded for a foul by Pickett on Parsons, which Paul Dorch duly converted. And the game had entered only the 50th minute when Dorch scored Ardley's third. It was a goal that was to put the game beyond Bassett's reach, given the way they were playing. A lovely lob found Stevens off his line and, although he got a hand to the ball, he could only help it into the net.

Credit: Wilts & Glos Standard
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 21:23