Rylands Way, 30th November 2002

Bassett made it through to the last 16 of the RPM Records Supplementary Cup with a workman like performance against lowly First Division side, Clanfield.

Manager Pete Yeardley took the opportunity to give three teenagers a First Team run out and all three - Ben Jarrett, Ben Gascoigne and Steve Yeardley - acquitted themselves well.

Visitors Clanfield had the first shot when Chris Hunt fired at goal on 4 minutes but Steve Hale in the Bassett goal comfortably dealt with the shot.

Bassett's first real chance came on 12 minutes when the ball fell to youngster Gascoigne but Stuart McPherson in the Clanfield goal spectacularly saved his shot, although the linesman was also flagging for offside.

Bassett broke the deadlock on 15 minutes, a shot from Ben Gascoigne fell to Nick Tooley, his initial touch took the ball into the air and he rose to head the ball over McPherson, 1-0 Bassett.

Bassett continued to have much of the play against a side a division below Bassett. Justin Hyde fired over on 17 minutes and Stuart Lamont was denied a goal thanks to a last gasp header on 25 minutes when it looked like the big Scot would score.

Nick Tooley went close to a second on 35 minutes following an excellent through ball from Lamont and Lamont himself, again from a corner on 38 minutes, the header going just wide.

Despite all the pressure, Bassett nearly went into the break on level terms. A hard shot across the Bassett box by Peter Osbourne missed everyone and went out for a goal kick. A close escape for Bassett.

At the other end there was still time for one more chance, with Stuart Lamont again causing the visitors problems at corner kicks. This time his header was well saved by McPherson.

With Mark Simpkins feeling ill, Robert Hopkins replaced the creative midfielder at the break, with Ben Jarrett pushed up into midfield. Indeed it was Jarrett who had the first chance of the second half. A neat through ball from Justin Hyde saw Jarrett in the clear but his shot went wide of the Clanfield post.

However, Bassett were not to be denied a second for very long. With 52 minutes on the clock a powerful chip from the edge of the box by Dave Jones, following a mazy run by Justin Hyde saw Bassett extend the lead.

Ten minutes later an excellent run from Ben Jarrett resulted in a shot that was well saved again by the young McPherson in the Clanfield goal.

A couple of minutes later Danny Clayton fed Jarrett but this time he shot straight at the keeper, an easy save for the visiting number one.

This was just about the last piece of excitement in what became a very dull game. Not even the introduction of Mick Byrne as a striker in the closing stages managed to get the crowd excited, with the "Barmy Army" already in the bar before referee Kevin Small blew the final whistle to put an end to the match. Certainly a game that will be quickly forgotten.

On the plus side, all three teenagers performed well and Steve Hale looked assured in keeping another clean sheet, his 6th of the season.

Managers Man of the Match: Stuart Lamont

Scoop's Man of the Match: Ben Jarrett – A good game from the youngster.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 at 09:16