Rylands Way, 10th September 2002

A changed Bassett bounced back from a 2 game losing streak to produce a well earned draw against Londoners Southall Town who had ex-QPR and Reading striker Michael Meaker in their line up.

Southall started off the stronger side and created the first opening. In the 4th minute a cross came in to the Bassett danger zone but the Bassett defence cleared to safety.

Bassett created a chance at the other end when, in the 6th minute, a great corner came in but there was no head in the middle to connect to it.

Bassett then had a great opportunity in the 12th minute when new signing Geoff Swatton put Neil Bridges one-on-one with Southall 'keeper Kenny Lavender but Bridges squandered the opportunity.

Four minutes later Luke Sharps nearly put Southall a goal ahead when he deflected a ball just over his own crossbar.

Bassett went on the attack again when in the 22nd minute Geoff Swatton beat the 'keeper but hit the side netting from the edge of the 5 yard box.

Southall then had a good chance when Reinout Janssen's shot was put wide by 'local footy nut' Steve Hale in the Bassett goal.

In the 35th minute Southall made the first change of the match bringing Dale Godfrey on for Chris Glynn.

Southall striker Michael Meaker gained a corner for Southall in the 40th minute but nothing came from it. That was the last chance of the half.

Neither team started the second half brightly but Bassett, on level terms after a good first half, did have a decent half chance when a Justin Hyde ball failed to find a connection in the box in the 52nd minute.

In the 69th minute a mix up between Steve Hale and Stu Hemsley at the back luckily came to nothing.

Bassett brought on debutant Kai Crayford for Justin Hyde in the 76th minute to try and change things. Bassett then made further changes when Neil Bridges was replaced by Paul O'Connell. Five minutes before the final whistle they brought Paul Clegg on for Gary Ashford.

Bassett could have grabbed a late winner a minute before injury time when Geoff Swatton missed a decent chance.

Paul Clegg was booked during injury time before Southall's James Gregory missed an open goal which could have handed the game to Southall, luckily for Bassett the chance was squandered.

Managers Man of the Match: Nathan Hall for being superb.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – A decent draw for Bassett meaning they grab a well deserved point and end a 2 game losing streak.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 15:06