Once again it looked very much like Bassett would not capitalise on their complete dominance of the game and their opponents. It must be said, however, that Brian Kirk in Yarnton's goal was superb. It was down to him that they were not four down at half-time. Plus Bassett had one kicked off the line.

Bassett started on the attack right from the whistle and the game was only five minutes old when Kirk made his first save from a shot by Stoddart and a few minutes later from Franklin. Again, the pace of Franklin, Stoddart and Newton were causing Yarnton many problems and in the 11th minute it all paid off. A low cross from Stoddart was half-cleared but only to the feet of Pete Dearlove, whose drive gave Kirk no chance. Then Bassett relaxed and in the 44th minute slack marking, and with Yarnton growing in confidence, a through ball found Dave Burns with only Read to beat. He did, sliding the ball under the Bassett keeper.

Dave Warren's half-time talk seemed to do the trick and apart from shots from 25 yards Yarnton rarely got past the 18-yard line. The defence locked up and Read dealt with anything that came past. On 60 minutes a superb Bassett move on the left, a low hard cross from Newton, saw Dearlove belt in his second. A minute later Dearlove got his hat-trick, another ball in saw him turn his man and fire in just inside keeper Brian Kirk who had done so much to keep Yarnton in the game with a series of saves or blocks. If Dearlove's hat-trick hadn't killed Yarnton off another superb move out of defence saw the ball moved out to the left-wing. A hard driven cross across the goalmouth and Stoddart running in buries them on the 82nd minute.

So, Bassett continue their good run. With the Milton game to be replayed they have gained 13 points from 5.

Credit: John Reynolds
Last modified on Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 13:12