Southern League Premier South Division – Saturday 9th September 2023
Beaconsfield Town 2 v 3 Basingstoke Town Attendance 377
Where: Windsor Road, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. HP9 2SE
Dan’s line-up today was: 1. Paul Strudley, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Callum Winchcombe, 4. Michael Atkinson (Capt), 5. Scott Armsworth, 6. Billy Upton, 7. Bradley Wilson, 8. Ben Cook, 9. Ashleigh Artwell, 10. Dan Rowe, 11. George Reid
On the bench: Marcio Neves, Paul Hodges, Kai Hobbs, D’Andre Brown, James Clark & Nathan Smart
Referee – Elliott Haddrell
Basingstoke’s latest adventure on the road got underway in scorching heat, with us attacking the clubhouse end, and it was Wilson who broke down the left in the third minute, but his cross flies across the face of the goal and out for a goal-kick.
Both teams are still trying to get use to the heat, but we create the next chance as Wilson finds George Reid, who takes the ball inside the penalty area, and hits a shot that rolls past the post.
Beaconsfield have the next couple of minutes, but create nothing to worry Paul Strudley in goal.
Still very little goalmouth action, but Beaconsfield then appear to hit the bar on nineteen minutes, and the follow-up play sees the homeside hit a shot wide of the near post.
The game is halted as fans take on drinks.
The game really has not going as we hit the half-hour mark, but good work from Callum Winchcombe as he puts a halt to a Beaconsfield attack, with a well-timed tackle.
We attack again through Reid towards the corner flag, but loses the ball, only for a Beaconsfield defender to mishit his clearance and the ball falls to Ben Cook just outside the box, who hits a half-volley shot into the net. GOAL! Beaconsfield Town 0 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Cook 31mins)
Stoke create the next chance, as a passing move down the right, ends with Reid hitting his shot wide of the far post.
We then hit the bar as a nice move allows Reid to thump the ball against the bar and over for a goal-kick.
We move into the last five minutes of the first-half with Stoke still the team on top, despite a little bit of possession by the home team.
We are now deep into added-time and Beaconsfield push forward down our right, and a shot finds the far corner of the net and level the game. Beaconsfield 1-1 Basingstoke
The referee restarts the game and then immediately blows the halftime whistle.
Halftime Score: Beaconsfield Town 1 v 1 Basingstoke Town
The game gets back underway, with no changes to our line-up, and it’s Stoke who are the team pushing for another goal, and a neat move finds Wilson close to the by-line with a one-on-one with the keeper, but Reid’s shot is pushed away by the keeper.
Then in the fifty-sixth minute there appears to be a tussle in the box, and the referee books a player from each side. The game restarts and we break down the right and the ball is fed to Reid who takes a touch inside the box, then hits a swerving shot that leaves the keeper little chance as it finds the back of the net GOAL!! Beaconsfield Town 1 – 2 Basingstoke Town (Reid 57 mins)
Before the restart we make our first change with Ashleigh Artwell being replaced by Paul Hodges.
Then on sixty-three minutes we lose the ball from our attack, and a long ball over the top allows a Beaconsfield forward to break clear but he chips the ball over Strudley and fortunately over the bar.
This seems to ignite the homeside and another attack forces a good save by Strudley down low.
It’s time for another drinks break and our players take a well-earned breather. From the restart the homeside have an attack which results in a shot that flies over the bar.
We make our second change with Kai Hobbs replacing Dan Rowe (73 mins)
With the heat and a number of minor stoppages and other substitutions by Beaconsfield, the flow of the game has stopped as we move into the last ten minutes of the game.
We have another bit of possession through Michael Atkinson who finds Wilson who cuts inside then hits a shot that flies over the bar.
Then Stoke attack again down the left and Wilson sends a low cross, that Hobbs looks to get to first, only for a defender to take his ankle away and the referee points to the spot. The penalty is delayed as Hobbs receives treatment for the tackle.
It’s Wilson to take the penalty and he makes no mistake, as he finds the left-hand corner of the net. GOAL!!! Beaconsfield Town 1 – 3 Basingstoke Town (Wilson 85 Mins Pen)
We are now in the final minute of normal time, but knowing there will be significant added-time.
We make our third change with Michael Atkinson being replaced by James Clark.
Then in added-time, Beaconsfield pull another goal back via a header from a corner. Beaconsfield 2-3 Basingstoke.
It’s now all Beaconsfield as they win further corners looking for an equaliser, and they almost get it, but Strudley make a stunning save.
We are then able to hold the ball in Beaconsfield’s half, and the referee has seen enough and blows the final whistle on another Stoke away victory.
Full-time Score: Beaconsfield Town 2 v 3 Basingstoke Town
Bradshaw 45 mins, Yearwood 90 mins Cook 22 mins, Reid 57 mins, Wilson (Pen) 85 mins
Match Thought’s
Despite the hiccup in the FA Cup, we won our fourth league game in a row, but again we seem to try and make them it more difficult than it needs to be. Paul Strudley again made a crucial save to keep our lead, whilst George Reid hits another stunning finish.
A good hard-working performance by the team in that extreme heat, gives us those valuable three points, and moves us into seventh in the table.
Another great turnout by the Stoke faithful.
Up Next:
We switch to the North-Hants Cup, as we take the trip down the road to Alresford Town this Tuesday evening (12th).
Match Report by Martin French..
English 
Polish 
Thought we deserved the win with our overall play. How valuable is George Reid to our side.