Wisloe Road, Saturday 6 December 2003

An early second half goal from Craig Cole edged high flying Slimbridge into the first round of the Supplementary Cup as they came from 1-0 down to beat Bassett Town. John Magani opened the scoring for the visitors before Julian Freeman levelled up in a physical game spoilt by incompetent officiating.

Ross Casey was first to come close after eight minutes when he took the ball around the Bassett defence who were standing off but his weak shot trickled well wide.

Four minutes later the game erupted as Tommy Callinan stamped on Paul Davis in an off the ball incident in front of the referee, injuring Davis in the process. Davis was cautioned for complaining that no action was taken against Callinan in a disgraceful decision by referee Page; Richard Gee came on for Davis who could take no further part in the match as a result of the incident.

In the sixteenth minute John Magani put Bassett ahead after Slimbridge 'keeper Ryan Chandler punched clear a Geoff Swatton shot, Magani slotted in the rebound from the edge of the area.

Steve Yeardley was next booked for Bassett – again a decision going the wrong way as Yeardley was involved in a minor scrap.

Bassett were then let off in the 20th minute when a weak Freeman shot rattled the post from a sloppy Edward Ward corner; Casey came close four minutes later for the home side.

In the 27th minute a long Ben Gascoyne ball picked out Magani who darted into the box before laying off to Rich Willis on the edge of the area, Willis blasted his shot straight at Chandler though who made a good save.

Slimbridge levelled on the half hour mark when a Ward corner was headed in by Freeman. A minute into first half stoppage time Magani and Sam Reason linked up well before Reason played the ball to Nathan Hall who hit over from twenty yards.

Four minutes after the restart Slimbridge took the lead when Cole took the ball round three defenders and blasted his shot in from twenty yards, the ball slammed the post and hit the back of the net – Rich Stevens having no chance.

Bassett continued to be pressured at the back but held out some troublesome Slimbridge attacks.

Bassett made a change in the 64th minute when Carl Taylor replaced Nathan Hall. Two minutes later Ashley Thomas hit wide from the edge of the area. In the 69th minute Thomas headed wide from a Casey free kick.

Sam Reason came close twenty minutes from time from ten yards out hitting over before Neil Bridges replaced Geoff Swatton.

Bassett continued to try and force extra time but couldn't – Sam Reason coming closest seven minutes from the final whistle but his low drive was kicked out by 'keeper Chandler.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Rich Willis – battled hard in the middle of the park all game.

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A spirited performance, battling hard all game but just couldn't finish it off in the final third of the pitch.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th September 2020 at 15:45