Rylands Way, Saturday 20 December 2003

Another goal direct from a corner, this time by Tony Macek wasn't enough to separate Bassett and Fairford as both teams shared the points in an aggressive derby game; Simon Gregory on target for the visitors.

Bassett were much the better team in the first half with many chances going begging, most falling to Geoff Swatton who the Fairford defence struggled to handle. On eleven minutes Swatton shot at goal from the edge of the area but James Price collected the ball easily. Four minutes later Swatton had a go from thirty yards, Price making another save.

Bassett took the lead in the 21st minute when, for the second week running, they scored direct from a corner – this time Tony Macek with the goal. His corner from the left produced an absolute howler from Price who fumbled the ball into his own net.

Swatton found himself booked two minutes on when he and Russell Jones had a tussle in which Jones allegedly spat at the Bassett forward also gaining himself a yellow card.

On the half hour mark, Neil Matthews found himself in the book for an elbow on Steve Yeardley, a challenge that should have seen the Fairford player walk. Two minutes later Courtney Chessell was booked for dissent after kicking the ball away after referee Terry Cleasby gave Bassett a dubious free kick.

Bassett continued to be unlucky in front of goal and seven minutes from the break Geoff Swatton could have doubled the lead but didn't take advantage of poor defending from a Macek corner, hitting wide from six yards out.

Macek came close again in the 41st minute having his shot tipped wide from a John Magani ball. From the Macek corner Magani could have scored, getting a toe on the ball in a goalmouth scramble but Price somehow managed to get the ball away, making a point blank save.

In the second half, Fairford managed to grab a goal early on when ex-Bassett defender Luke Sharps put in a free kick to the far post, Simon Gregory was there to meet it, slotting in from eight yards out.

Rich Stevens was forced into action five minutes after the goal when a Fairford counter attack ended up with a Chris Knowles shot being palmed wide by the Bassett 'keeper.

In the 65th minute Sharps found himself in the book after a stupid lunge at John Magani.

The game continued to be a tight, aggressive affair with both teams creating chances but not finishing them. In the 76th minute Ben Gascoyne replaced Nathan Hall.

Next player to get booked was Tony Macek for another rash challenge. However, Macek's challenge was not bad as Simon Gregory's five minutes from time; Gregory took out Swatton thus gaining himself a booking. Bassett then made a substitution as Neil Bridges came on for Swatton.

Bridges was nearly Bassett's hero as two minutes after his introduction he and Magani could have sealed the win for Bassett. Bridges shot from the edge of the area was fisted away, on the rebound Magani took the ball round the stranded Price but his shot was cleared off the line.

Bassett now look to gain three points against Gloucester next week and hope that this improved performance continues into the New Year when they face a tough away trip to Bishop's Cleeve to start 2004.

Manager's Man of the Match: John Magani

Scoop's Man of the Match: Mark Vaughan – worked tirelessly in the midfield and he didn't even get booked!

Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A good team performance to pick up a well deserved and well needed point.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th September 2020 at 15:48