Rylands Way, 2nd October 2004

An 85th minute goal undid Wootton Bassett Town as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against second from bottom side Ardley United in a game, which did little to entertain.

Bassett had the majority of the early chances as both sides battled through a sloppy opening half.

In the third minute, Dave Tyler played a through ball to John Magani but Paul Tassell easily held the forward's shot from eighteen yards.

In the 12th minute, Andy Youngsam cut the ball back to Magani who hit a poor shot straight at Tassell when he should have done better.

Ardley nearly took the lead in the 25th minute, a long kick from 'keeper Tassell fell to Neil Barrett whose shot was parried away by Lee Flynn – this after Barrett had got past defender Rich Willis.

Tom Docherty was booked for Ardley in the 28th minute as he held back Magani who was clean through on goal. Then a minute from half time, Tony Bott had a half volley from twenty-five yards easily saved by Flynn.

Six minutes after the restart Moses Green found Matt Bennett with a great through ball but Bennett's shot was blocked before the rebound from Tyler was blocked and cleared away as Bassett continued to have trouble in front of goal.

Tyler nearly scored an own goal just before the hour mark as he mis-kicked a clearance from an Ardley corner, which just went wide of the post.

A Matt Bennett shot from the edge of the area went well wide in the 60th minute before Ashley Bradshaw made his first team debut in relief of Andy Youngsam who had a quiet outing.

Another youngster was brought on half way through the second half as Chris Mills – who impressed in midweek replaced Ben Gascoyne who continued his inconsistent run of form.

In the 70th minute, Rich Willis rose and headed a Bradshaw corner just over. Four minutes later, Martin Hall had a shot from the edge of the area easily saved by Flynn.

Twelve minutes from time Bassett made their final sub as Paul Patel came on for John Magani.

Immediately, Patel was involved in the action as Willis sent a long ball over the top that Patel ran on to, he took the ball into the box but his shot was easily saved.

Ardley snatched only their second win of the year five minutes from the end as a long ball over the top caused confusion at the back and substitute Paul Bough put the ball in from six yards as Lee Flynn failed to come out to get the ball.

Flynn held a shot from Chris Please in the 89th and minute and Bassett's lack of urgency in the final minutes cost them again as they went through the motions all game.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Stu Hemsley – worked hard in the middle of the park.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – A dismal display against a poor team. Nothing worked up front as everything went through Matt Bennett, which Ardley picked up on. Lack of urgency and ideas again cost Bassett.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Friday 11th September 2020 at 09:43