Rylands Way, Saturday 10 January 2004

Bassett once again squandered a lead against Pegasus and fell into further relegation trouble with a two-one loss against their struggling opponents. A Geoff Swatton goal was not enough as Rob Laurie and Mike Symonds netted for the visitors.

Bassett outperformed their opponents in the first half, creating many chances that could and should have been converted into goals. Swatton came close four minutes in after receiving a John Magani ball down the right touchline but Scott Hodgetts made a great save from a tight angle.

On ten minutes Swatton was again involved in the action when he flicked on a Lee Morse corner, but Rich Willis' adept touch shot was cleared off the line. Two minutes later a Swatton shot from ten yards was saved following good build up play by Stewart Bellinger and Steve Yeardley.

Bassett were awarded a penalty in the 17th minute when Jamie Edmonds upended Bellinger in the box. Swatton's penalty was saved but he tapped in the rebound from a poor penalty.

Edmonds had a half chance for Pegasus a minute later shooting straight at Rich Stevens from long range.

On the half hour mark Bassett had another good chance to take the lead when Bellinger put an excellent through ball through to Swatton, who was one on one, shot at Hodgetts who palmed the ball away to safety.

Eleven minutes from the break a thirty yard Laurence Helme free kick went just over Stevens' bar. Helme was the provider for Laurie's goal though as he swung in a corner from the right and Laurie headed past Stevens. The corner could have been averted if Steve Yeardley had put the ball out for a throw rather than dwelling on the ball and then being forced to concede a corner.

Bassett had the last chance in the first half as Rich Willis headed straight at the excellent Hodgetts from a Lee Morse corner.

Bassett rode their luck early after the restart but had the first chance to retake the lead. Willis played through Swatton twelve minutes in but Hodgetts tipped wide Swatton's powerful effort.

On the hour mark Swatton linked up with Magani, but Swatton's shot from eighteen yards was saved. A left foot effort from Swatton a minute later was also well held by Hodgetts.

Bassett had a scare in the 64th minute when Lewis Sommers beat the offside trap only to have his shot saved.

Bassett made their first change four minutes on as Justin Hyde replaced Ben Gascoyne.

On 72 minutes a Stu Lamont slip allowed Helme a chance on goal but his shot was denied by the feet of Rich Stevens. The Scotsman was brought off a minute later being replaced by the returning Richard Gee.

Bassett pressed for the lead and came close thirteen minutes from time as Hyde flicked the ball on for Bellinger whose half volley was saved comfortably by Hodgetts. Dave Jones came on for John Magani a minute later.

In the 79th minute Pegasus gained the lead as Rich Stevens failed to deal properly with a cross from the left; punching the ball straight to Mike Symonds who blasted in the rebound from the edge of the area.

Geoff Swatton had two chances for Bassett to tie the game but neither troubled Hodgetts leaving Bassett a lot to play for midweek against Abingdon.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Geoff Swatton - had many chances but didn't convert; battled hard up front.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 - Again failed to hold onto a lead by missing chances and by defensive errors. Pegasus had only a couple of chances and scored two, Bassett had a dozen half chances scoring only once.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 4th September 2020 at 16:43