Rylands Way, 24th September 2002

Bassett Town continued their slump as they recorded their second four goal deficit loss in a row, as manager Pete Yeardley watched Man United beat Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

As Giler came in to the dugout in Pete Yeardley's absence, Bassett were looking to get a win against Abingdon, after their 5-1 defeat in the Vase against Hellenic rivals Shortwood United on Saturday.

A very changed lineup started the match with debutant Paul Carson, Rob Day and Geoff Swatton in for Mark Simpkins, Stuart Hemsley and Paul Garbutt.

Abingdon were the team who started brightly and had the first chance of the game when Andy Parsons nearly took it around Steve Hale in the Bassett goal, but Haler got to it.

In the 17th minute Abingdon took the lead when Rob Hopkins deflected a Frankie Dorrian shot into his own net. Dorrian could have made it two five minutes later when he made a surging run but didn't convert.

Bassett had the majority of play from then on in the first half; Justin Hyde blasted over midway through the half, Nick Tooley headed a Neil Bridges ball over in the 37th minute, Justin again could have scored when he came one-on-one with Abingdon 'keeper Carl Wilkins but he shot wide.

Nick Tooley and Nathan Hall had good chances in the dying seconds of the half but didn't convert.

The frustration on Mick Byrne's face said it all going into the break. Bassett just couldn't convert possession and shots into goals. Bassett did have another 45 minutes though to get themselves back into the game.

Bassett came out, as usual, looking for goals but in the 54th minute Frankie Dorrian blasted home putting Abingdon two goals to the good.

Bassett had another scare four minutes later when a cross was not dealt with properly by Haler but luckily the ball bounced off the bar.

Abingdon made their first change in the 60th minute bringing Pete Moss on for Chris Hooper.

Another Moss got on the score sheet in the 71st minute when Dean Moss scored from a superb run.

Bassett had another scare five minutes later when Rob Hopkins and Steve Hale had a mix up from a back-pass, which trickled wide, but could have gone in.

Bassett then made their first changes bringing Geoff Swatton on for Mark Hammond and a minute later Gary Ashford for Nathan Hall. Abingdon followed with their second change bringing Steve Thompson on for scorer Dean Moss.

In the 84th minute Bassett had Geoff Swatton booked for a dangerous tackle.

Abingdon immediately scored their fourth afterwards when Luke Brandon smashed home from 20 yards. Abingdon then made their final change when Frankie Dorrian came off for Matthew Irons.

Abingdon could have made it five before the end when Haler was made to make two good saves.

Paul O'Connell had Bassett's only real chance of the half when he hit wide. Bassett had slumped to their second defeat on the trot leaving problems for the management.

Giler's Man of the Match: Debutant Paul Carson

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – A decent performance but Bassett should have taken their chances late on in the first half.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 15:11