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Tyler Head Saves Season for Bassett

Rylands Way, Saturday 5th February 2005

A goal three minutes from time by Dave Tyler earned Bassett a crucial point as Pegasus Juniors were held to a 1-1 draw, had Tyler failed to come up with the goal it could have been season over for the home side as the tough battle to stave off relegation continues; Pegasus were unable to build on an early second half penalty from Chris Mortlock.

The first half had few chances with both sides scrapping the game out on a sloppy pitch which didn't allow either team to get the ball on the floor and play passing football; Bassett's long ball failed to create openings as Pegasus had the height advantage over their opposition.

Rob Laurie had the opening chance of the game after eight minutes but his shot went wide following a lay off from Mortlock.

Paul Brown was then booked for the visiting side following a lengthy argument with referee Peter Daly.

After 17 minutes, Tyler found himself on the end of a well-hit cross field ball by Matt Bennett but the onrushing 'keeper Jamie Hales managed to block the ball just as Tyler struck it.

Lee Morse struck over from 25 yards for the home side on 35 minutes, after Chris Mills laid the ball back to him before, a minute later, Laurie shot well wide from outside the area.

The best chance of the first half came with two minutes to go but Ian Gill held on well to a header at the penalty spot by Richard Thomas, Thomas connecting with a flicked on throw in.

Pegasus continued to threaten Bassett in the second half and Gill denied a Mortlock header from the six-yard box from an Adrian Harris cross. Mills had a chance at the other end on 52 minutes following good build up play between Bennett, Tyler and Morse but Mills struck just over from the edge of the area.

Ten minutes later, Pegasus were awarded a penalty after Andy Hallett ended a brilliantly Ben Price run by taking him down in the box, Hallett received a yellow card but it could have been much worse for the Bassett defender. Mortlock coolly placed the penalty in the bottom right corner, sending Gill the wrong way.

Mortlock nearly created a goal three minutes later as he broke off a good run before squaring the ball to Adrian Harris but Harris struck wide. Bassett then made their first change of the match bringing Tom Messenger on for Chris Mills.

With eighteen minutes to go, Hallett gave the ball away to Mortlock who struck across goal and wide as Bassett continued to look shaky at the back before Gill brilliantly palmed away a Price shot headed for the top right corner.

Matt Bennett was forced off with eleven minutes left – seemingly denting Bassett's hopes of a comeback – with Mark King his replacement.

Gill had to make another good save from substitute Gavin Stone with five minutes to go before Tyler secured a very valuable point with an easy header.

Rob Hopkins swung in a free kick, which was flicked on at the penalty spot by Messenger, and Tyler headed into an open net as Hales was caught off his line trying to punch.

Scoop's Man of the Match: Dave Tyler – looked to have kept Bassett's survival chances alive with a clutch goal.

Scoop Rating: 5/10 – A disappointing performance saved by Tyler; the team looked nervous throughout and couldn't provide for the frontmen – Tyler and Bennett for the majority of the match.

Credit: Swindon Advertiser
Last modified on Thursday 24th September 2020 at 09:11