Kilkenny Lane, Saturday 13 March 2004

After a tight loss to North Leigh in midweek Bassett Town headed to Carterton where they slumped to a 3-0 loss as their inconsistent form of late continues. Bassett haven't scored a goal now since the 28th of February against Chipping Norton Town – that is 306 minutes of football.

Stewart Bellinger came close for Bassett in the opening two minutes from a free kick 25 yards out but Carterton 'keeper Nick Herritage saved the shot.

At the other end of the pitch Bassett made a shaky start and Carterton took the lead when Trevor Ashley lobbed Ian Gill after a through ball opened up the Bassett defence.

In the 27th minute Ian Gill released a long goal kick towards Geoff Swatton who tried to lob Herritage but his shot went wide.

Andy Hendry was booked seven minutes later for Carterton after a late challenge on Steve Bunting.

Gill denied Mark Threlfall in the 35th minute after a shot from the edge of the area and then a James Mortimer-Jones shot was saved three minutes from half time.

On 43 minutes, Paul Sherwood capitalized on an Andy Hallett mistake but was denied by Gill who made a save at the winger's feet.

Four minutes into the second half Carterton doubled their lead when Threlfall struck in a corner from the right and the unmarked Jamie Butt rose to head home at the back post for the home team.

Ben Gascoyne squandered a half chance for Bassett a minute later after a weak shot of his was saved.

Gill denied Threlfall again at the other end after the striker's shot from the edge of the area was saved.

In the 57th minute Threlfall beat Gill, only for his shot to come back crashing of the bar after he had walked through the Bassett defence. John Magani was brought on for Richard Gee a minute later to give Bassett another attacking option.

Magani set up Geoff Swatton in the 62nd minute after good work down the left between him and Bunting put through the Bassett forward but Swatton shot over from 15 yards out.

Bassett had a scare in the 66th minute when 'keeper Gill went down hard after a later Paul Sherwood challenge but was unhurt; Sherwood received a caution for his actions. Matt Allen was also booked for dissent.

Steve Yeardley replaced Stu Hemsley in the centre of midfield two minutes later for Bassett. Mark Hammond replaced Bunting in the 76th minute.

Bassett began to search for a goal to halve the deficit and Gascoyne came close eleven minutes from time when he hit a long range volley wide of the mark from a half cleared free kick.

Andy Hallett was booked for a foul a minute later. Swatton came close again after a great Mark Hammond ball but the shot was saved once more.

Threlfall was again allowed a chance on goal two minutes from the end but his shot was saved after some lacklustre defending allowed him through.

Stewart Bellinger could have halved the lead a minute into injury time after great work by Swatton and Magani but Bellinger's shot from twelve yards out was easily saved following Swatton's ball.

Mortimer-Jones capped the win for Carterton – capitalizing on an Andy Hallett mistake – and struck in from the edge of the area to subdue Bassett to their ninth loss in ten in a period where they have picked up one point from a possible thirty.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Mark Hammond – did well when he came on, a good performance for his first game back since last season.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – A poor performance after a good midweek performance. Poor defending and lack of basics cost Bassett dear.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 5th September 2020 at 12:45