The Warren, 15th March 2003

Bassett Town's winning streak came to an end as they suffered a 5-1 defeat at the hands of London side Southall Town.

A brace from Lee Holman and goals from ex-QPR forward Michael Meeker, Steve Bircham and Jon Castanette saw off Bassett easily after Bassett had Dave Jones stretchered off inside the first two minutes and his replacement Stu Hemsley sent off for spitting at the opposition thirty minutes from time.

It was a poor performance from Bassett all round and no player deserved credit in this match apart from goalscorer for the visitors, Stu Lamont and youngster Ben Jarrett.

Even before kick-off, Bassett had injury problems as Gary Ashford failed a fitness test giving Carl Marsh his debut. In the second minute of the match Dave Jones went up to contest for a header and fell sharply on his ankle and he had to be stretchered off with what seemed like a serious injury but later was found not to be so serious. Stu Hemsley replaced Jones three minutes later.

Not before long, Southall began to dominate and were threatening to break through the Bassett back line. In the tenth minute of the match Bassett 'keeper Jason Hillier was tested for the first time when he comfortably saved a Michael Meeker free kick from twenty five yards out.

Southall playmaker Michael Meeker continued to prove a handful for marker Brian Kayll and on fifteen minutes Meeker earned Southall a corner. The corner from Leon Lewis was hit against the crossbar from six yards out and Lee Holman followed up at the near post to put the rebound away – a scrappy goal none the less.

Southall continued to dominate the game in every department with Bassett never really putting a challenge in on the ball.

Two minutes after Southall went ahead Bassett had Stu Hemsley booked for a silly foul on Justin Keane.

On twenty five minutes Bassett had their best and only chance of the first half when Paul Feeley whipped a corner in from the right hand side and Stu Lamont rose above the Southall defence only for his header to come back out off the upright.

A minute later, a Southall counter attack finished with another goal when Lee Holman ran right through the Bassett defence without a challenge coming in and slotted past the helpless Jason Hillier.

Bassett had another decent chance eleven minutes from the break when Danny Clayton – who had a good first half – played Ben Gascoyne through, Gascoyne whipped a cross in from the right wing and the unmarked Paul Patel totally mis-kicked the ball and the ball went out for a Southall throw.

A minute later Bassett were let off once again when Michael Meeker missed an easy one-on-one opportunity with Jason Hillier. Again Bassett were let off in the 38th minute when a long throw from the right was connected to by Lee Holman but Holman's header was deflected wide.

On the stroke of half time Bassett had Brian Kayll booked for a very weak challenge on Michael Meeker who over-reacted by falling to the floor.

Southall continued to attack during the seven minutes of stoppage time and forced a great save from Jason Hillier three minutes into that time when a Lee Holman shot was well saved.

Michael Meeker and Christian Glynn had half chances before referee Lovegrove blew for half time.

Roger Williamson described the first half as, 'The worst first half performance from Bassett in a long time.' He was right.

Bassett took a gamble at half time by using their second and final sub bringing youngster Ben Jarrett on for Ben Gascoyne.

Bassett started the second half better than they had played in the first 45 minutes and on 52 minutes came close when Paul Feeley hit just over from twenty five yards.

Bassett went three-nil down though in the 56th minute when Michael Meeker was held back allegedly by Brian Kayll in the box. Meeker comfortably put the spot kick away in the bottom right corner.

Two minutes later Ben Jarrett had a good chance for Bassett when his volley brought Southall 'keeper Kenny Lavender into action for the first time in the match but Jarrett's shot was saved following a Mark Simpkins ball.

In the 63rd minute Bassett were reduced to ten men when Stu Hemsley had to walk for spitting at an opposition player – Hemsley had made two stupid mistakes in the game, both of which will cost him fines from the Wilts F.A.

A minute later Southall went four goals up when Steve Bircham scored after a great run.

Fifteen minutes from time Michael Meeker missed an easy chance again for Southall when he hit over from two yards out. He was then replaced by Eddie Lewington for Southall's second change.

In the 80th minute, Bassett got a goal back through Stu Lamont - who had been pushed up into the midfield – scored from a well worked piece of play involving Ben Jarrett, Paul Patel and finally Lamont.

Two minutes into stoppage time Southall made it five-one when substitute Jon Castanette scored from a Lee Holman ball. Castanette though was about five yards offside when the ball went in but the linesman failed to spot this.

A poor performance from Bassett, although they now look safe with eleven games still to play. Five more points would guarantee safety and Bassett will look for at least three of these at home against Wantage on Tuesday.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Stu Lamont – closely followed by Ben Jarrett – he was the only player on the pitch worthy of this award. A well taken goal earnt Lamont this award.

Scoop Rating: 4/10 – One word can describe this performance – POOR.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 2nd September 2020 at 14:29