Bassett travelled to Oxford on Saturday looking to secure a further three points to maintain their push for league honours. On a blustery afternoon on a sticky surface good football was going to be difficult. Bassett opened the brighter of the two sides, but many moves broke down in the last third of the park. Kidlington had the first opportunity but squandered it. Bassett should have taken the lead on 19 mins, Roger Smith broke free of the defence but with only the keeper to beat his shot lacked pace and the keeper saved. Soon after a 25yard drive from Rich Merchant cleared the Kidlington bar. On 27mins Ian Curtis from a narrow angle found the side netting. The rest of the first half see few chances on both sides and they went in 0-0.
The second half was 10mins old when Mickey Goodwin slipped the ball between two defenders and Merchant made no mistake from 18 yds with a cool finish to the keepers left. Bassett's defending had not been up to its usual standard and Simon Green failed to trap the ball when a first-time clearance might have been better. Kidlington capitalised on the mistake and drew the sides level. On 68mins Bassett almost retook the lead when Goodwin found Curtis who shot narrowly wide of the right-hand post.
On 70mins Bassett regained the lead from the penalty spot. A good through ball saw Goodwin squeeze between two defenders and into the box. Just as he was about to shoot both Kidlington defenders made contact with him and not the ball. Paul Harper stepped up and the ball was past the keepers left hand before he dived. Jeremy Newton replaced Jon Davis and was straight into the action with a snap shot from 20 yds. On 75mins Merchant almost made it three when teed up by Bryan Wood fired just wide of the right hand upright. Some stout defending in the last 10mins by Bassett meant that the points were secure. Roger Smith showed well throughout the game but tired towards the end. Man of the match for me was Kevin Flavell who yet again belied his years and led by example.
Bassett need to win the games in hand which would see them secure third spot at this stage. Two games with Ardley United and one against Cheltenham Saracens could have a bearing on the final league positions.
Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Tuesday 16th March 2021 at 12:40
