Rylands Way, Tuesday 11 November 2003

Bassett continued their poor streak as they fell two goals to nil to fellow strugglers Pewsey – goals coming from Matty Messenger and Alan Blake. Bassett have only collected eight points from their past eight games and have lost five of ten games.

Bassett were one down before ten minutes had even been played. In the sixth minute Pewsey had Barry Flippance booked for dissent before three minutes later Messenger scored with a thirty yard lobbed which slipped through Rich Stevens hands into the back of the net.

In the thirteenth minute Matt Bennett hit wide a half cleared throw-in from twenty yards out. Pewsey nearly got another in the 28th minute but a Steve Yeardley challenge denied Pewsey of an opening.

Three minutes later Geoff Swatton rushed his shot and shot straight into 'keeper Lee Wilson's hands.

Wilson beat Swatton to the ball again three minutes from the break when a long Mark Simpkins ball intended for Swatton was dealt with by Wilson. On the stroke of half time Ben Gascoyne fired at goal and Wilson again denied Bassett an equaliser.

Twelve minutes after the restart Messenger had a good chance but mistimed his shot sending the ball wide.

On the hour mark Swatton was brought down on the edge of the area by Darren Walters who was booked. The resulting free kick was claimed easily by Wilson with no Bassett challenge.

In the 70th minute Messenger had another great opportunity but missed what could have been a certain goal. Two minutes on Swatton found himself in the book after retaliating at Alan Blake. Steve Yeardley was then replaced by Sam Reason pushing Mark Simpkins further back.

A minute after Reason's introduction Rich Stevens nearly made another costly error after taking his eye off the ball nearly giving Flippance an easy chance to double Pewsey's lead.

Fifteen minutes from time great work down the left hand side created a good chance for Matt Bennett who shot straight at Wilson from twenty yards.

John Magani came on for Ben Gascoyne at this point and he came close with his first few touches of the ball hitting wide from ten yards out.

Inevitably Pewsey increased their lead when Blake walked through the Bassett defence to slot home.

Old Bassett legend and master of the stepover – Andy Brien added insult to injury falling like one Michael Meaker which earned Andy Hallett a booking.

Bassett need to get out of trouble fast with huge games ahead against high flyers Brackley and North Leigh – a result in these two games will hopefully give Bassett momentum and help them surge up the table – this will happen if Bassett give the same performance they did at home earlier this year against North Leigh and also Didcot away.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Paul Davis and Stu Lamont – showed good leadership throughout.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – got better towards the end but couldn't finish on the night. Two mistakes again cost Bassett the win.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th September 2020 at 15:37