The Meadowbank Ground, Wednesday 22 October 2003

A Matt Bennett brace and one from Geoff Swatton was enough to see off an ailing Shortwood side as Bassett secured a vital three points in a game where Shortwood were played off the park in a stunning Bassett performance.

Bassett were dealt some early pressure by Shortwood mainly coming from Rich Evans and Lee Pritchard but the Bassett back three of Andy Hallett, Rich Willis and Rob Hopkins held firm denying any chance for Shortwood to gain an early lead.

On nine minutes Evans shot over after Pritchard played him through after a windy run down the wing. Evans came close two minutes later when he headed just over from the edge of the area.

At the other end Bassett couldn't carve their way through the Shortwood defence either with Neil Bridges, Sam Reason and Geoff Swatton unable to break loose from the opposition.

However, on twenty two minutes Mark Simpkins laid Neil Bridges through down the right wing, Bridges played a ball over to Geoff Swatton but Swatton at full stretch couldn't convert at the far post.

Back at the other end a strike from Pritchard was deflected wide by Steve Yeardley. From the ensuing corner Paul Groves whacked over unmarked from fifteen yards after receiving Pritchard's corner.

Six minutes from time Peter Ralph blasted straight at Rich Stevens after Ralph received a ball from a Pritchard free kick.

A minute into injury time in the first half Bassett took the early advantage. Paul Patel flicked on to Neil Bridges who laid the ball across goal to Matt Bennett who fired past the stranded Ewan Prentice to finish off a well worked move by Bassett sending them into the break with a lead.

Two minutes into the second half Pritchard, again, struck over with a thunderous shot from the edge of the area.

Bassett though had found a rhythm and a minute later at the other end a good piece of route one football paid dividends. A Rich Stevens goal kick found Geoff Swatton totally unmarked in space and Swatton coolly lobbed Prentice.

It had to be Neil Bridges finding the post in the next minute for Bassett as his shot ricocheted back off one post across the goal line. Has there ever been such an unlucky player to wear a Bassett shirt?

In the 55th minute Chris Greenough shot straight at an in form Rich Stevens who completely dominated his eighteen yard box during this game with new found confidence.

In the 59th minute Neil Bridges collected a deflected Matt Bennett ball; Bridges though had his shot saved.

Bassett found the woodwork again in the 65th minute when this time Geoff Swatton hit the bar from the edge of the area after a great piece of work by Matt Bennett.

Four minutes later a twenty five yard effort from Paul Patel was easily saved. Bassett extended their lead in the 72nd minute when Matt Bennett made no mistake in slotting home to complete his scoring for the night after receiving a great through ball from midfield.

Bassett made a change a minute later as Neil Bridges came off after a hard working performance to be replaced by John "Twinkletoes", "Three Point Turn" Magani.

Geoff Swatton hit over from the edge of the area thirteen minutes from time. This before Bassett made their final change bringing Richard Gee on for Sam Reason.

Gee got straight into the thick of the action as he hit the post from a diving header, Paul Patel supplying the ball in the 87th minute.

A minute later Geoff Swatton laid a short free kick to Mark Simpkins who blasted at Prentice who kicked the ball over dramatically. From the resulting corner Geoff Swatton hit just over.

A great game for Bassett all round especially from Matt Bennett, Neil Bridges, Steve Yeardley and Rob Hopkins.

Manager's Man of the Match: Neil Bridges

Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Yeardley and Matt Bennett – great games for both youngsters, both had great work rates working hard to get the ball.

Scoop Rating: 9/10 – A great team performance after a shaky start.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 10:28