Rylands Way, Tuesday 30 September 2003

A 93rd minute Kevin Lewis goal stole Carterton a point as the sides shared the spoils in a two-two draw. Geoff Swatton scored first to give Bassett the lead before Adam Holder levelled for Carterton. Then a minute before stoppage Neil Bridges got his first goal for Bassett in his second season which should have sealed the match for Bassett but Lewis' late strike dealt a blow.

Carterton came close first within three minutes when Rich Stevens made a great save tipping the unmarked Jason Cook's shot wide.

Neither Bassett nor Carterton could create an opening until the 21st minute when poor defending allowed Andy Henry through but he missed from ten yards out. Carterton continued to dominate and eight minutes later Kevin Lewis shot wide from twenty yards.

A minute later and Carterton had the best chance of the first half when Adam Holder hit the upright from twenty five yards after the Bassett defence backed off.

Bassett had their first chance of the game just before half time when a Danny Clayton corner was headed wide by Paul Davis.

Six minutes after the restart and Bassett were ahead when Geoff Swatton put the ball away from six yards out after Rich Willis headed down to him.

On the hour mark Bassett nearly doubled their lead when Geoff Swatton played through Matt Bennett but Carterton 'keeper made a save resulting in a corner.

Carterton levelled on 71 minutes when Holder mis kicked a cross from forty yards out and the ball ended up sailing over Rich Stevens head. Bassett made a change six minutes later bringing Neil Bridges on for Matt Bennett and then Rob Hopkins for Carl Taylor.

Both teams were in for a hectic finish and seven minutes from time a great run from Geoff Swatton opened up an opportunity for himself but his shot from point blank range was fisted away. Four minutes later Jamie Butt volleyed over a James Mortimer-Jones free kick over.

Bassett had the lead though in the 89th minute when Neil Bridges of all people slotted past Roberts after great work by Steve Yeardley allowed Geoff Swatton to put a through ball in for Bridges. Bridges came close two minutes later bicycle kicking a Swatton ball wide.

Bassett were dealt a blow though in the 93rd minute when Lewis scored at the far post as Bassett failed to deal with a low cross.

Jamie Butt was then booked two minutes after the goal after stopping Bassett from taking a quick free kick before Rich Willis was booked for a scuffle. These scenes led to an altercation as both teams walked into the changing rooms leaving a disappointing mark on an enjoyable game.

Giler's Man of the Match: Mark Simpkins

Scoop's Man of the Match: Rich Willis – strong as ever in the middle of the park.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A good performance producing a draw against one of the in form teams in the league.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 09:14