Alfredian Park, 21st December 2002

A Danny Clayton goal secured Bassett Town all three points away to Wantage Town in a great team performance which was only marred by Paul Patel being taken off with a shoulder injury following a nasty challenge inside the first twenty minutes.

Wantage were the team who started the game on top, having two corners inside the first five minutes. They also had a couple of dangerous crosses that came to nothing as the Bassett defense started off where they had left off against Hook Norton.

Bassett themselves had their first attack of note in the 8th minute but again nothing came of it. Bassett were forced into an early change when Paul Patel suffered a damaged shoulder in the 13th minute following an ugly challenge from Wantage striker Chris Roche. To the astonishment of the Bassett contingent the referee took no action against the Wantage player for what had been a vicious attack on the Bassett defender. Patel's game was ended by that incident and he was replaced by Stu Hemsley who was returning to the first team having missed a couple of games.

Both teams created chances in an even first half. As the half wore on Bassett started to gain initiative, earning a number of corner kicks which unfortunately came to nothing.

Bassett continued to attack as the half drew to a close but numerous through balls and crosses were wasted. Mark Simpkins had the best chance for Bassett in the first half when a minute into injury time his shot was well saved after he dribbled past two defenders following good work by Rob Day.

Bassett went into the break with the score deadlocked but looking the team who were most likely to score.

Bassett started off the second half where they had left off and took the lead in the 51st minute when a great Steve Hale kick put Danny Clayton into the clear and Clayton fired home from inside the Wantage area.

A minute later Wantage had Chris Roche, the same player who had fouled Paul Patel, booked for a foul on Stu Hemsley – Patel's replacement.

Bassett had another good chance in the 54th minute when an excellent Mark Vaughan ball put Nick Tooley through clear of the Wantage defence but the Wantage keeper came and collected the ball from under Tooley's feet.

The Wantage 'keeper was again called into action moments later, making a brilliant save from a Gary Ashford shot following another good Mark Vaughan ball.

Allan Pluckrose had a good chance in the 67th minute when he headed just over from a Mark Simpkins free kick. Bassett made their second substitution five minutes later bringing Ben Gascoyne on for Rob Day.

Danny Clayton had another good chance for Bassett when his shot was again saved by the Wantage keeper, the busiest player on the pitch, following good work by Ben Gascoyne; three minutes later Nick Tooley hit over after taking the ball around four players.

Wantage had another player booked a couple of minutes later for starting a mini scuffle with Bassett's Mark Vaughan, Wantage then made a double substitution to try and salvage a goal.

They nearly got one when Steve Hale parried a good shot and the rebound was blocked and cleared to safety.

Bassett made their final change in the 83rd minute when Dave Jones was brought on for Mark Simpkins.

Wantage had a last chance effort a minute from time, but thankfully nothing came of it much to the relief of the Bassett followers as anything less than three points would have been a travesty.

Bassett had gained three vital points just before Christmas and will be looking to make it six points from two games when they travel to Shortwood United on December 28th.

Manager's Man of the Match: Mark Simpkins - he got better as the game went on.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Allan Pluckrose – a solid game at the back for the Bassett centre-back.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A great team performance which ensured Bassett got all three points.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 at 09:56