Rylands Way, 28th September 2002

Bassett recorded their third loss on the trot and have now gone five games without winning in the Hellenic Premier Division after a 2-0 defeat to rivals Didcot Town.

Didcot were straight out of the blocks in the first half when, after just two minutes, the Bassett defence couldn't clear a cross, which Chris Nelson put away for the visitors.

Bassett's defence were continually letting Didcot get the other side of them – Didcot having another couple of half chances in the first few minutes.

In the 14th minute Paul Garbutt could have got Bassett back on level terms when he slid in for a cross when there was an open goal, but Garbutt didn't connect.

Bassett continued to play at sixes and sevens as Didcot scored again in the 18th minute only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

The match continued to be played like it was a netball match as the ref was being quite strict with his decisions.

Danny Clayton had a good chance in the 26th minute, but his shot was saved by Didcot 'keeper Geoff Simmonds, after good work by Nick Tooley and Paul Garbutt.

Bassett continued to push for an equaliser when Paul Garbutt's 30-yard effort went over. Stu Lamont came close as well in the 37th minute with a well-timed header.

In the 38th minute the ref got his cards out for the first time when he booked Paul Garbutt for a bad tackle, which was mainly due to frustration. Justin Hyde was booked for Bassett just before the break for making stark comments towards referee David Commander.

Bassett went into the break a goal down after sloppy defensive play was to blame for the goal.

Didcot made a change in the break bringing David Bevan on for Terry Morrisey.

Bassett started the second period brightly; Paul Garbutt and Stu Lamont squandering chances. Then in the 51st minute Bassett had a one-on-one with Geoff Simmonds but nothing came of it. Nick Tooley had a good opportunity five minutes later but he shot over.

Didcot made their second change of the match in the 62nd minute bringing Fletcher Hoy on for Matt Bianchini.

Mark Simpkins had a good chance a minute later but nothing came of it.

Didcot followed Bassett's attacking spell by having one of their own which brought a goal through Ian Concannon, after Andy Cooper headed a free kick on.

Allan Pluckrose was booked for Bassett following the goal for dissent.

Bassett had to go looking for goals for the rest of the game – Paul Garbutt tried to grab one but his shot went over from the kick off.

Didcot and Bassett then made changes to their line-ups, Bassett brought Stu Hemsley on for Mark Simpkins and Didcot brought Darren McNamara on for Damien Oglesby.

Didcot had their first player booked in the 74th minute when Ian Concannon was booked for diving in the penalty area.

Bassett tried to put their focus to attacking for the final few moments when in the 77th minute Neil Bridges and Paul O'Connell were brought on for Danny Clayton and Justin Hyde.

Bassett looked as though they could have got a goal in the dying seconds, having put lots of pressure on the Didcot defence, but nothing came, except a booking for Stu Lamont for mouthing off.

Bassett had lost their third straight game, which is a worry for Pete Yeardley and Mick Byrne.

Managers Man of the Match: Allan Pluckrose

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – Bassett had the chances but didn't take them and the defence made too many mistakes.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 27th August 2020 at 15:13