Spencer Stadium, 14th September 2002

Bassett Town were denied a late win after a Paul O'Connell shot seemingly hit the back of the net in a scrappy affair against Hook Norton.

My first half was mainly spent driving around Oxfordshire seemingly lost because Hook Norton don't exactly play in Hook Norton (pretty village though). They actually play in nearby Banbury, ground sharing with Dr. Martens outfit Banbury United.

The first half was apparently quite a scrappy affair with neither team looking like scoring, nor playing football with any flair. Bassett had a setback mid first half when experienced captain Allan Pluckrose was injured. Bassett should really have been scoring goals against a team below them in the table but unfortunately, played with no real passion in the first 45 minutes.

Bassett went out in the second half with Paul O'Connell on for the injured Pluckrose as they looked to grab a goal.

In the first ten minutes Bassett were the better team, Dave Jones testing Hook 'keeper Townsend in the 50th minute.

Hook had a chance 5 minutes later when Tyrell tested Steve Hale in the Bassett goal. Hook then made a change bringing Cousins on for Garner.

Bassett had a great chance to grab the lead in the 59th minute when Gary Ashford pulled the ball down but his shot was blocked by a Hook defender after great work from Ashford and Neil Bridges down the wing.

Hook then counter attacked and Stratford came close for them hitting over, infuriating Auntie Hilda in the crowd.

Bassett made a change in the 66th minute bringing Mark Hammond on for Dave Jones. Hammond immediately made an impact chipping a ball in for Stu Lamont whose header was saved.

Bassett continued to pile on the pressure as Nathan Hall struck over a minute later. A Gary Ashford shot came close in the 75th minute after good work by Bridges and O'Connell down the left wing.

Bassett made their last change in the 77th minute when Pete Yeardley put assistant Mick Byrne upfront for Gary Ashford.

Bassett again continued to put pressure on the Hook Norton defence; Paul O'Connell having a great chance in the 85th minute. Neil Bridges was booked a minute later for handball.

Stratford blasted the free kick over from 18 yards luckily for Bassett. Hook could have wrapped the game up in the 88th minute when Farley beat the 'keeper but missed, forcing more comments from Auntie Hilda.

Bassett then nearly wrapped the game up, late in stoppage time, when a Bassett attack was cleared by Hook only for the ball to fall to Paul O'Connell. His shot seemingly crossed the line but the referee didn't agree.

The final whistle went and Bassett went home with a decent draw.

Managers Man of the Match – Nathan Hall

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – A good second half performance should have brought a goal after a disappointing first half.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 15:08