Rylands Way, Saturday 17 January 2004

Michael Meaker again was the difference between Bassett and Southall as the one time Wales international struck two past youngster Steve Bizley to edge a victory for the high-flying Londoners. Bassett battled strong and hard all day, Ben Gascoyne giving Bassett what looked like a welcome point only for Meaker to spoil the show.

The Bassett defence were strong and Meaker could not find a way through early on in the game with the Bassett back four clearing most of the danger.

It was Bassett however who nearly took the lead first on nineteen minutes when the in form Dave Jones struck a curling shot from twenty five yards only for Southall 'keeper Ben Miles to edge the ball over the bar with his fingertips, the ball most certainly would have been in the top corner if it wasn't for Miles' save.

Miles was to be the supplier for Meaker's first goal. He cleared away a loose ball which split the Bassett defence; Meaker ran onto the ball and gave Bizley no chance with a blasted effort.

Geoff Swatton came close ten minutes from the break when his shot was saved following a Lee Morse ball.

A minute later Bizley made a fine save to deny Meaker after a twenty yard effort. In the 40th minute a Jon Castagnette cross was headed just wide by the Southall dangerman.

Richard Gee, off a promising midweek performance, was booked on the stroke of half time for what looked like a fifty-fifty challenge on Ashley Keane.

Bizley again denied Meaker just before the break getting a touch to a shot from wide angle and deflecting the ball wide.

Swatton and Chris Glynn had chances for both teams at the start of the second half; both hitting wide of the target.

Meaker had a shot saved quarter of an hour in after receiving a Keane ball who first intercepted a wayward Steve Yeardley pass.

Meaker's Welsh counterpart Dave Jones showed some exquisite skill in the 67th minute to get round a Southall defender, he next put in a fine cross which John Magani headed into Miles' hands.

Chogi's best mate, Paul Garbutt made his return in the 65th minute when he replaced Magani. Three minutes later Jones had a twenty five yard free kick easily saved.

Geoff Swatton was next in the book for Bassett twenty minutes from time when he was booked for dissent. Then, just minute's later physio Ruby Kavanagh gave an Oscar winning performance delivering a bit of verbal to Castagnette after a late lunge on Patel.

In the 77th minute Patel was booked when a foul was called for and Patel thumped the ball at the Southall player who was down – first time he has hit the target all year!

Bassett made a change after that – Ben Gascoyne replacing Geoff Swatton.

Nine minutes after his introduction Gascoyne delivered. A through ball was played through to Gascoyne who ran onto the ball and chipped the oncoming Miles.

Bassett immediately switched off as at the other end Meaker ran through the Bassett and slotted past Bizley to give Southall a hard earned three points – three points that should have been one had the Bassett defence done as they were told to and hold out for the remainder of the game.

Manager's Man of the Match: Steve Bizley

Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Bizley and Richard Gee – both played exceedingly well all game especially the youngster Bizley, both were better than Dave Jones on the day.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – A lack of concentration cost Bassett a deserved and much needed point.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 5th September 2020 at 12:27