After losing to Pewsey Vale in midweek, Bassett again showed what they were made of beating Brackley Town 2-0 despite 'keeper Rich Stevens being shown red after just 6 minutes.

Bassett got off to a very quick start in the first half stunning Brackley when in the 2nd minute Nick Tooley played a Nathan Hall pass through to Mark Simpkins who coolly slotted the ball past Brackley 'keeper Guy Smith.

Brackley came close to equalising in the 5th minute when Andy Baird came close.

The next minute 'keeper Rich Stevens was sent off for Bassett when he tried to get the ball but got the player instead. Justin Hyde replaced him in goal for the remainder of the half.

Hyde was tested straight away though, when Neil King hit a free kick that Hyde tipped away for a corner. Brackley wasted the corner and Bassett quickly broke away when Neil Bridges surging run found Nick Tooley whose shot was blocked by Smith in the Brackley goal.

In the 15th minute Andy Baird came close again for Brackley; this time finding the side netting.

Bassett then had a string of chances – Mark Simpkins wasted a free kick then a Pete Cahill cross wasn't met in the box; Bassett had a few more attacks but all failed to find another goal.

In the 38th minute Justin Hyde and Andy Baird collided, but thankfully no one was injured.

Just before the break Bassett struck again through Nick Tooley who hit a beautiful free kick into the top corner of the net. Bassett went into the break with a comfortable lead.

Bassett came out in the second half with their third goalkeeper of the game – Luke Sharps who had come on to replace Justin Hyde. Sharps was tested almost straight away when Wayne Blossom sent him the wrong way but the makeshift 'keeper somehow held on to it.

Brackley then had another chance when Andy Baird headed a cross into the side netting.

In the 62nd minute Brackley manager Tim Fowler put Nigel Jenkins on for Steve Ayris in an attempt to find a goal.

Bassett then made a change when Rob Day replaced the tired Neil Bridges who had had another superb game.

Nick Tooley came close to getting his second when his overhead kick went over. There were appeals for a penalty as Tooley thought his shirt had been tugged but the referee waved play on.

Nigel Jenkins then came close for Brackley before Bassett made their final change when Andy Morris replaced Nathan Hall.

Rob Day came close for Bassett in the 89th minute before Brackley put Adam Dedman on for Julian McCalmon to try to get at least one goal back. They didn't get the goal but were close when Lee Dawson missed.

Bassett had held on for all 3 points to move their tally to 6 points.

Manager's Man Of The Match: The Whole Team for a great all round performance.

Scoop Rating: 9/10 – A great performance by Bassett to get the three points.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 12:51