Rylands Way, 8th February 2003

Bassett were unable to overcome local rivals Highworth Town as they fell to their tenth defeat in the league this season thanks to goals from Jamie Mills and a penalty by Dave Webb.

Highworth were the team who started the game brightest and inside the first ten minutes had the best of the games opportunities.

In the fifth minute a short corner from Tony Joyce found the feet of Justin Miller who hit the side netting from just inside the Bassett danger zone. Four minutes later a cross lashed in by Mark Belcher was dealt with well by Rich Stevens in the Bassett goal ahead of the oncoming Highworth forward Tate Hulbert.

Highworth remained on top and after a quarter of an hour had another good chance when Ross Adams played Matt Jack through down the right wing, but Jack's cross was held well by Stevens again.

Bassett were becoming nervous at the back and let Highworth through again three minutes later; this time the play ended up with a goal when Jamie Mills crept behind the Bassett defence and neatly chipped the ball over Rich Stevens from ten yards out following a Tony Joyce ball. 1-0 Highworth, a lead the visitors fully deserved on the balance of play.

Bassett's first real chance of the game came when Justin Hyde put in a good cross which was dealt with by ex-Bassett 'keeper Steve Hale.

Bassett continued to push for an equaliser and came close in the twenty-third minute when Ben Gascoyne hit wide from all of twenty five yards.

Highworth continued to be the better of the two teams and had numerous chances; twice the linesman came to Bassett's rescue with an offside flag when Highworth were through.

Bad defending again let Bassett down ten minutes from the break when Tate Hulbert hit just over from the edge of the area. Bassett were again let off three minutes later when a Tony Joyce shot was allowed to fly across the face of the Bassett goal luckily going just wide.

Bassett's only real defensive achievement up to this point was that they were containing Highworth star striker Tate Hulbert – who was continually caught offside as the Bassett defence pushed up.

Steve Yeardley was booked in the 42nd minute for Bassett for a soft foul which didn't really deserve a booking Good work by Justin Hyde and Mark Vaughan allowed Dave Jones to have a shot but it was comfortably saved by Hale.

Highworth's last chance of the half came on the stroke of half time when Jon Reeves' cross met the head of Matt Jack only for the ball to be tipped over by Rich Stevens. Bassett went into the break a goal down and could not really complain.

Bassett started the second half in a more lively fashion and within one minute had a chance when Nick Tooley hit just over on the turn.

Highworth's first substitution came after 54 minutes when Paul Day replaced Tony Joyce. Tate Hulbert hit wide for Highworth from the edge of the area a minute later.

In the 58th minute Rob Hopkins hit over from 35 yards out after he picked up a loose ball just before Bassett had their second player – Paul Clegg – booked for a mini scuffle in the 61st minute involving him and two Highworth players.

Bassett made their first changes a minute later bringing on Mark Simpkins and Gary Ashford for Dave Jones and Paul Clegg. Bassett had yet another player booked in the 63rd minute – this time Mark Vaughan for a foul.

Highworth came back on the attack and Dave Webb hit over from the edge of the area with a volley in the 65th minute. Highworth looked to extend their lead and Tate Hulbert had a cross go right across the box seventeen minutes from time.

Bassett made their final change a minute later bringing ex-Highworth "superstar" forward Neil Bridges on for Danny Clayton. Highworth's second change came on 76 minutes when Matty Saye replaced Tate Hulbert.

Bassett suffered another blow in the 77th minute when Steve Yeardley allegedly pulled the shirt of a Highworth player in the box and referee Bert Barry gave a penalty following a flag from the linesman. Dave Webb coolly converted sending Rich Stevens the wrong way.

Bassett never looked like troubling the scoreboard before the end, the only chance of any note was a Gary Ashford shot from a Neil Bridges through ball that was saved by Steve Hale.

Matt Saye could have totally killed the game off for Highworth when he hit the side netting five minutes from time.

Just before the end Ben Gascoyne shot wide for Bassett from a Justin Hyde ball.

Bassett notched up double figures in the loss column in the league this season.

Bassett will have to hope for better luck in their upcoming games if they are not be dragged into a relegation dog fight.

Manager's Man of the Match: Rob Hopkins

Scoop's Man of the Match: Rich Stevens – another solid performance following his recent January Player of the Month Award.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – Not the worst performance by Bassett but Bassett never looked like troubling the score at all during the match.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 at 10:15