Wilsoe Road, Saturday 27 March 2004

Mark Vaughan received his marching orders once again as Bassett continued their inconsistency of late as they fell two-nil to a superior Slimbridge side.

Both teams started well with few chances falling to either side. It was Slimbridge who came closest first as Rich Moore volleyed straight into Ian Gill's hands after a Bassett attack broke down. Gill denied Moore again in the 18th minute when he saved the Slimbridge midfielder's twenty five yard free kick.

In the 26th minute Geoff Swatton and Stewart Bellinger linked up well for Bassett before Bellinger played it to Steve Yeardley whose deflected shot was comfortably saved by Ryan Chandler in the Slimbridge goal.

Two minutes later Matt Bennett came close as he had a shot deflected wide from fifteen yards out after good work by John Magani.

Slimbridge broke the deadlock eleven minutes from half time as the unmarked Julian Freeman headed in a Moore cross after Moore and Edward Ward linked up well to provide the cross.

Bassett suffered a blow a minute later as inspirational defender Rich Willis suffered an ankle injury and was replaced by Andy Hallett.

Steve Yeardley was booked for so called persistent fouling on the stroke of half time following a challenge on Matt Green.

Slimbridge were unlucky not to increase their lead in first half stoppage time when Green took the ball round three Bassett defenders before laying off to Freeman whose shot was held by Gill.

Three minutes into the second half Bellinger came close for Bassett albeit a half chance when his shot from the edge of the area was saved after Bellinger capitalized on a defensive error.

In the 51st minute Moore came close again as he shot wide on the turn. At the other end Bellinger supplied Swatton with a good chance but Swatton's 20 yard effort was held by Chandler.

Bassett received another injury blow when Coach Mick Byrne banged his head against the dugout causing a cut to his head.

In the 61st minute Moore hit the post after Bassett failed to clear a corner. A minute later Julian Freeman forced a great save from Ian Gill after Freeman connected with a Rich Moore ball. Slimbridge got their second in the 64th minute when Edward Ward connected with a John Cant ball after Steve Yeardley gave the ball away at the half way line.

Geoff Swatton was unlucky not to be sent off five minutes later after retaliating; Swatton receiving a yellow card for his actions.

Bassett brought on Ben Gascoyne and Stu Hemsley for Steve Bunting and Stewart Bellinger eighteen minutes from time.

Moore again fired over for Slimbridge in the 74th minute before Mark Vaughan received a booking for a clumsy challenge. A minute later and substitute Mike Green received a caution for a foul on Swatton.

Three minutes after getting booked Vaughan was sent off for an obvious elbow on Freeman adding to Bassett's growing number of players who are going to be out suspended for the final run in.

It could have been three nil seven minutes from time only for a Moore goal to be disallowed. Cant was denied just before the end by another super Gill save before Freeman hit wide.

Bassett were condemned to their 23rd defeat of the year and now have a tough test on Tuesday against Henley in which they need to salvage something with only seven games left.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Ian Gil – made some fine saves and not at fault with any of the goals.

Scoop Rating: 6/10 – A poor display in a game which Bassett needed to get something from to continue the form shown against Shortwood.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 5th September 2020 at 15:13