Rylands Way, Saturday September 6 2003

Two second half goals sealed a two-nil victory for Abingdon as Bassett slumped to their third defeat in a row. Bassett had a stronger side than against Bishops Cleeve with Matt Bennett returning after his Youth Cup exploits on Thursday against Bournemouth and also Richard Gee to the bench.

The forward trio for Bassett of Bennett, John Magani and Sam Reason combined well early on, but Dean Moss had the first chance of the game for Abingdon when he hit a thirty yards shot over.

On four minutes, Reason put Magani through who had Bennett by his side but Magani went alone and Abingdon were able to knick the ball from Magani and clear.

Two minutes later Bennett combined with Tony Macek after a great run by Bennett, Macek's cross though wasn't connected with by Magani or Reason waiting in the box.

Some good football was being played at this point by both sides but neither was able to create an opening. In the nineteenth minute John Magani had another chance – this time one-on-one with Carl Wilkins – but Magani's effort from just outside the area was saved by Wilkins.

Moss came close again for Abingdon on the half hour mark when he volleyed over from twenty five yards. Bassett then had a very good chance twelve minutes from time when both Sam Reason and John Magani had chances but neither could convert their opportunities. Abingdon cleared but the ball fell to Carl Taylor who toe-poked over from the edge of the area.

Darren Curtis was brought into action right on half time when he was caught off his line by Richard Peirson who shot from the halfway line but Curtis managed to avoid disaster and collected the ball.

Abingdon continued to have the best chances in the second half when right after the restart on 51 minutes; Darren Curtis comfortably saved an Anthony Burden head from Thomas Larman's cross.

Bassett went behind four minutes later when James Organ shot from thirty five yards out into the far top corner past Curtis after Organ capitalised on the space he had. Bassett brought Carl Hawkins on then when he replaced Carl Taylor. On the hour mark Larman crossed into Mark Simms but Simms headed well wide.

Bassett made their second change in the 62nd minute when Ben Gascoyne replaced John Magani. A minute later Gascoyne's strike partner Sam Reason put in a great ball but no one was there to connect with it in the box.

Bassett began to get frustrated and it showed when in the 72nd minute Mark Vaughan was booked for the third time this year for a foul on Burden but Burden immediately got up after the Abingdon physio had come on.

Substitute Chris Hawkins shot wide a couple of minutes on after he got possession off a half cleared Mark Simpkins throw.

Richard Gee came on in the 76th minute replacing Andy Hallett before Abingdon doubled their lead. A long Carl Wilkins goal kick was connected with by substitute Kevin McDonnell and McDonnell made no mistake and put the ball away gaining on a lack of communication between Mark Vaughan and Paul Davis.

Bassett became desperate to try and get back in the game and a chance for Ben Gascoyne on 81 minutes went begging as he softly struck at Wilkins from the edge of the area. Two minutes later and Matt Bennett came close after heading wide a Tony Macek free kick.

In injury time Andy Marriott nearly made it three-nil as his free header was saved after a Nicky Bayliss corner.

It was too little too late for Bassett who need to get back in form with tough games ahead against Southall and Hungerford away before meeting Bemerton Heath in the FA Vase qualifying round.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Tony Macek – only player putting up a fight in the game to try and get it back.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – Bassett couldn't convert their chances again and need some power up front in the absence of Geoff Swatton.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 09:00