Bassett performed brilliantly in the first half and saw two goals and two strikes on the woodwork inside 30 minutes. But after playing Ross off the park and then for 20 minutes in the second session, they almost let their visitors back in.

Attacking from the whistle, Bassett's Rob Newman had hit the bar on five minutes with the Ross defenders nowhere. Bassett pressed harder and, in the 10th minute, Rob Newnham picked up the ball on the edge of the area. His pass to Pete Dearlove saw him in space and he slid a superb through ball to Jerry Newton which split the defenders. Newton's shot gave Bridges no chance. Bridges was in further trouble a few minutes later. A long throw by Harper was flicked on by Davis with Bray heading on to the bar and so the momentum was kept going,

In the 29th minute, a ferocious free-kick by Paul Harper was deflected high into the air. Bridges came for it, only to see Kevin Bray win the ball and put Bassett two up. Bassett should have gone further ahead a few minutes later when Dearlove headed wide from a Franklin cross.

Bassett went to pieces in the first 20 minutes of the second half. They became disorganised, lost their shape and it seemed their desire to win the game. Play became erratic as slowly Ross took command. They got a reward in the 62nd minute. With Davis and Newnham going for the ball without no calling, it spun into the path of M Cozma who scored easily. It was then backs to the wall for Bassett.

Then came a break-out by Bassett. A ball found Dearlove free on the right wing. His cross was not cleared and, from the scramble in the goalmouth, Justin Hyde scored Bassett's third. The game seemed safe then, but Ross kept up the pressure until, in the 78th minute, Graham Jones spoilt all their efforts. He was sent off for what appeared to be an elbow in the face of Green. Ross found it hard from then on. In the 87th minute. Bassett wrapped it up. A good ball from Franklin found Newton free on the left. His pace took him past a defender and his superb cross found Dearlove who rose to head into the net.

Credit: John Reynolds
Last modified on Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 11:53