Hereford Leisure Centre, Saturday 13 December 2003

Bassett wasted another lead in a crucial game as they fell 2-1 away to Pegasus Juniors. Nathan Hall put the much changed Bassett side because of suspensions ahead just before the break but an Andy Hallett own goal and another score from Robert Lawrie sentenced Bassett to yet another defeat.

Neither team created much in the opening proceedings with Sam Reason and Ben Gascoyne coming close for Bassett; both failing to hit the target. Pegasus' only threat came on the half hour mark when Lawrie shot straight at Rich Stevens.

Debutant Stewart Bellinger and John Magani combined together in the 37th minute to set up Sam Reason whose blasted effort was tipped over by 'keeper Scott Hodgetts. Lawrie had another shot easily saved before Bassett took the lead.

Three minutes from half time Bassett gained a corner on the right hand side. Nathan Hall took it sending the ball floating in the air towards the near post; Hodgetts got a hand to it, only for it to be tipped into the back of the net. Asked whether he meant it, Hall replied, "Every bit of it."

Bassett should have had their lead doubled a minute into stoppage time when a John Magani run set up Gascoyne whose shot from fifteen yards out was struck wide when he should have done better.

After the restart, it was Pegasus who came closest first with a half volley from Lawrie again being saved by Stevens. In the 53rd minute Hall came close from another corner as Pegasus only half cleared one of his set pieces and from the rebound Hall hit over.

A minute later it was Gavin Stone coming close for Pegasus as he took on three Bassett defenders only for his shot to be kicked away by Stevens. Stevens comfortably saved a Mike Symonds shot minutes later before the hosts equalised.

It was again Stone involved in the action as he sent a cross in from the right which Andy Hallett placed past his own 'keeper after some poor Bassett defending failed to clear the ball. Hallett was then booked four minutes after the goal for a late challenge.

In the 67th minute Pegasus got their second when Richard Gee cleared two shots off the line after Rich Stevens was caught stranded and Lawrie took his chance on the third, blasting in from the edge of the area.

Bassett's forwards were not in the game at this point and in the 71st minute Neil Bridges and Stu Hemsley replaced John Magani and Sam Reason. Mark Simpkins was later replaced by Dave Jones.

Bridges came close six minutes after his introduction before Ben Gascoyne received a caution for a foul in which he took the ball.

Two minutes from time Bridges should have levelled the scores when he was put 1-on-1 with Hodgetts but a great save from the 'keeper turned Bridges' shot away.

Pegasus had two chances in stoppage time to increase their lead but failed. This didn't matter though as they came away winners.

Another three points thrown away by Bassett and lucrative points aren't something you need to give away in the time of giving – Christmas. Two big home games lie ahead over the next two weeks with Fairford and then bottom dwellers Gloucester – both matches are at home.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Richard Gee – a good performance rising to the occasion and taking for granted the opportunity of a start.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – Another three points given away. Bellinger and Magani didn't look in the game and with some big games ahead they need to get their scoring boots on.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th September 2020 at 15:46