The Red House, 16th September 2006
Three second half goals, including two penalties from Steve Yeardley sealed a comfortable win over local rivals Purton. Yeardley now has four goals in his last three games, three being from the spot.
Both sides had numerous chances to open the scoring in an open, at times rough, first 45 minutes. However the second half was a different story as Bassett walked it.
A minute in Mark King squared to Yeardley whose 25 yard shot was spilt by Jonathan Cowley.
Chris Mills, in goal for the injured John Haines, had to punch clear a Josh Digby volley eighteen minutes in before an early injury to Paul Crabtree forced Paul Burke to bring on Steve Bunting as a replacement.
Midway through the first half Paul Blagden was gifted an easy chance when a blocked Digby shot fell to him, unmarked, on the edge of the box. However his effort was struck wide.
Nine minutes before half time Bassett were caught on the break as James Richards played through Blagden but Mills was able to tip away his effort.
A minute later Yeardley split open the Purton defence with a through ball to King. King's first effort was parried by Cowley straight back at the Bassett forward. King's rebound effort whilst lying on the floor was again punched and the ball fell to Matty Bennett but he squandered a great chance by firing wide.
A dangerous tackle through the back of Dwayne Quinn produced a yellow card for Paul Blanchard five minutes before the interval. Both sides had injury time chances but the two keepers were able to block out Bennett and Vince McKackin's efforts.
Three minutes into the second half the game was decided. Jason Edwards dragged John Magani down in the box and Yeardley slotted home the penalty. After that Purton chucked in the towel.
Scott Large replaced Tom Messenger in the 54th minute just after Lee Jones was booked for an earlier infringement.
A Yeardley header put Bennett through one-on-one with Cowley in the 57th minute but Bennett's shot across hit the post and rolled wide. Magani and Large then both came close before Bassett should have doubled their lead.
A Purton attack broke down and Bassett broke, outnumbering the home defence 4-on-2. Magani tried playing through Bunting, who no doubt would have scored, but instead cut in straight across and Cowley was able to recover the ball with King and Yeardley also up there for Bassett.
Lee Marshall then replaced King before Bennett finally doubled the lead. Bunting squared to Yeardley whose ball into the corner was ran onto by Bennett. Cowley had no chance of stopping Bennett as his effort from the edge of the area nestled into the bottom left corner.
Bassett continued to dominate as Bennett, Magani and Marshall all troubled Cowley but failed to extend the lead.
With just under ten minutes to go Bennett tried rounding Cowley - who had slid to try clear the ball – but was tripped up giving the visitors another spot kick, which Yeardley duly dispatched.
Yeardley almost added a third but hit just off target from outside the box after Quinn played a crossfield ball into his path.
Purton's McMackin had a chance to open his side's account in the 90th minute but he struck wide from 10 yards after getting goalside of Rich Gee following Digby's ball to the farpost.
Bennett then nearly added a fourth after running half the length of the pitch and taking on half the Purton defence but his shot across Cowley struck the post. However it wouldn't have mattered much as the scoreline showed the extent of Bassett's dominance in the second half.
Scoop's Man of the Match: Steve Yeardley – was everywhere and controlled the game from his central midfield position. Had a part to play in all three goals as he dispatched two penalties and put Matty Bennett through for the second.
Scoop Rating: 8/10 – A dominant performance against very weak opposition. The second half was a walk in the park after an open first period which Bassett had the better of. The score could, and should, have been much higher.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 20th September 2020 at 14:48
