Rylands Way, 3rd September 2002

Bassett Town lost their first home game of the year against an in-form Tuffley Rovers. Bassett without key players Rich Stevens, Mark Simpkins and Nick Tooley slumped to a 3-1 defeat.

Bassett started off the game quickly when they had a corner in the 3rd minute which they could have put away but Tuffley 'keeper Rich Newman came out and collected the ball.

Tuffley opened the scoring though, when in the 7th minute a through ball by Tuffley defender Spencer Wilson was headed in by Colin Peacey.

Both teams shared the spoils for the next few minutes; Paul Patel then wasted a corner for Bassett. In the following minute a bad ball from the Bassett defence was intercepted in the Tuffley midfield and Tuffley were nearly 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.

Tuffley kept piling on the pressure until Bassett broke away and found themselves with a corner after a good chance was saved.

Bassett nearly found themselves level in the 25th minute when an Allan Pluckrose free kick went close.

Tuffley then started attacking again after being on the back foot when a cross from Scott Medcroft met the head of Stivelle Cooper in the box who was not far away from scoring.

Tuffley were then awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute when Luke Sharps fouled Stivelle Cooper in the box earning Sharps a booking. Scott Medcroft coolly dealt with the penalty with a neat touch to send the ball past Bassett debutant Peter Baker.

Bassett then went searching to get a goal back when Gary Ashford came close with his head after 37 minutes. Bassett did get a goal back through Stuart Lamont in the 40th minute after an excellent cross lead to him scoring.

Two minutes later though Colin Peacey grabbed his second for Tuffley after Bassett failed to pick him up.

Just before the break Tuffley could have made it 4 but Stivelle Cooper scuffed an easy opportunity.

Bassett went into the dressing room 3-1 down and looking like the game was over.

Bassett came out in the 2nd half looking to grab two goals back after an awful first half display.

Neil Bridges came close for Bassett straight after the break from a Nathan Hall through ball.

In the 49th minute Tuffley were back on the attack when Mike Perris played Scott Medcroft through who nearly finished.

Allan Pluckrose then found himself with two golden opportunities for Bassett when in the 50th minute he misjudged a Paul Patel corner hitting the ball high and not very handsome. The other opportunity was when in the 53rd minute a corner led to a goalmouth scramble and Pluckrose could have come away with the ball in front of Tuffley 'keeper Rich Newman who smothered the ball.

Paul Garbutt then blasted a great shot at Newman who managed to pull off a fabulous save, tipping the ball away. Bassett then kept quiet for 5 minutes until Allan Pluckrose came close again from a Luke Sharps ball.

Bassett made the first change of the match in the 67th minute – Pete Yeardley bringing Pete Cahill on for Paul Patel who had picked up a slight knock. Pete and Mick were showing signs of frustration at the Bassett team as a whole – Bassett just couldn't string any passes together.

In the 72nd minute Bassett made a second change bringing Rob Day on for the injured Neil Bridges. In the 76th minute Rob Day had his first shot saved by Newman in Tuffley's goal.

Tuffley made their first change of the night in the 77th minute when Gary Cornwall replaced Tuffley goal hero Colin Peacey. Cornwall started off with a bang when his shot hit the side netting of Peter Bakers' goal.

Scott Medcroft looked like making it 4 for Tuffley when he shot wide. Tuffley made one last change before full time when Mark Middlecote replaced Mike Perris. The full time whistle came and Tuffley took a well-deserved win.

Managers Man of The Match: Stuart Lamont

Scoop Rating: 4/10 – Alan Hansen's catchphrase could describe Bassett's performance – 'Diabolical'.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 12:56