Following an excellent win at Wantage the previous week, Bassett were looking to pick up a further three points at Clanfield last Saturday.

In the opening exchanges. Bassett played the football while Clanfield looked to use the long ball at any opportunity. After 10 minutes, a floated free kick into the Clanfield area saw Justin Stephens outjump the home defence to head the ball back across the face of the goal. Unfortunately, though, no Bassett forward was on hand to finish off. Both Taylor and Casey then missed chances to put Bassett in front when, on both occasions, it looked harder to miss than score.

On 25 minutes, the best move of the game saw Guthrie release Casey down the right. While his first-time cross was met by Vincent 10 yards out, unluckily for Bassett, his header cleared the wrong side of the crossbar. Five minutes before half time, Clanfield forced three comers in succession. From the third, they took an undeserved lead with a downward header inside the six-yard box.

The second half began as the first with Bassett having the ball but unable to convert chances. Finally, after 55 minutes. Bassett got a deserved equaliser after Gavin Barron burst into the box and was brought down from behind. From the resulting penalty, player/manager Kev Moloney gave the Clanfield keeper little chance with his spot-kick. Bassett were now on top and should have had a second penalty on 65 minutes. From a Bassett comer, the ball was kept out of the net by a Clanfield hand. It appeared that the referee was the only person in the ground not to see it. However, from the resulting rebound, Giles hit the outside of a post.

In the end, Bassett had to settle for a share of the points and, with leaders Purton and third-placed Wantage also drawing, maintained their second spot in the table.

Credit: Wilts & Glos Standard
Last modified on Friday 1st January 2021 at 12:26