Isthmian South Central Division – 26th March 2022
Basingstoke Town 2 v 4 Bedfont Sports Attendance 695
Where: Winklebury Sports Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Stoke fall to yet another home defeat against Bedfont Sports
Dan Brownlie stayed with the same line-up as Tuesday night’s win at Guernsey which was: 1. Paul Strudley, 2. Aiden Lewis, 3.James Haworth, 4. Robert Sheridan, 5. Nathan Smart, 6. Anton Rodgers, 7. Simon Dunn (Capt) 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. Bradley Wilson, 10. Conor Lynch, 11. George Reid
On the bench: McKoy Palmer, Marcio Magalhaes-Nevez, Lloyd Snell, Stefan Brown & Ben Cook
Referee – Adrian Harris
Under sunny skies it was Stoke who attacked the car-park end in the first-half, and after an initial free-kick we win a corner down the left-hand side, but Bedfont easily clear.
Then on four minutes from our defenders who lose their bearings, Bedfont break down our left and a low cross beats our defenders, and is swept home and Stoke go one behind.
We then have a couple of minutes possession but create little on their goal.
It is then Bedfont who attack on nine minutes and a hard shot is blocked away, they then force a corner as we are carved wide open, and the first of many short corners is put back into our goalmouth and we are able to head it clear,
Then on 16 minutes we win a free-kick about 25 yards. It is George Reid who steps up and plants it in the far corner of the net. GOAL ! Basingstoke Town 1– 1 Bedfont Sports (Reid 16 mins)
Bedfont come forward on 19 mins as they pass through our defence, but a cross from the left, is blocked by Dunn to Nathan Smart, who clears the ball.
Another attack on 22 mins as we are unable to put a tackle in and their forward hits a shot that rebounds off Paul Strudley’s legs to Nathan Smart, who gets fouled but not only awards us a free-kick, then decide to book Smart.
They attack again and win another corner, that goes short, but the follow-up cross flies wide of the far post.
Ditto two minutes as on the half-hour, another short corner flies past our goal, and they win a throw-in from the linesman 60 yds away and behind the play.
Bedfont seem able to pass through us once again and their No. 14 chips Strudley and the ball comes back of the post and we are able to clear.
Then on 39 we attack through James Haworth who goes on a 40 yard run, but loses control of the ball, just as he enters their penalty area, and then from the next attack we have two shots that are blocked away.
Bedfont come forward once again and their most dangerous player No. 10 Daryl Sanders, seems to be playing in his own post code, as no pressure is put on him and he finds their No, 14 who breaks clear, but Smart is able to win the ball and slides the ball back to Strudley.
Then on 41 minutes James Haworth goes in the book, but again not too sure what for.
Another short corner from Sports, but the dangerous cross is called for offside.
Moving into the last minute of normal time, we seem unable to hold onto the ball and Sports win another corner, that George Reid heads the ball clear.
The referee plays just the two minutes of added time, before blowing the halftime whistle.
Halftime – Basingstoke Town 1 v 1 Bedfont Sports
With the game back underway, nothing seems to have changed as they split our defence wide open once more, but a tackle by Aiden Lewis finally puts an end to this attack.
We then win the ball in midfield through D’Andre Brown, who slides the ball to James Haworth on the left, who sends in a cross that deflects off the initial defender and flies over the keeper, but out past the far post out for the corner. From the corner the ball is retrieved by Simon Dunn, who sends in a low cross that Conor just can’t get a touch to it, but the linesman has his flag up anyway.
Then on 51 minutes they break again through Sanders who slides the ball out to the right-wing, but the cross into the goalmouth is stopped by Sheridan.
Nothing of note for the next few minutes, as we move towards the hour mark.
Then on 63 minutes, a ball clipped into our six-yard area that beats Smart and their forward hits a shot that hits Strudley, but still rolls into the net and we go behind once again (1 – 2).
Then on 67 minutes our Manager decides to change things up, as we replace Conor Lynch with Marcio Neves and Stefan Brown for Simon Dunn.
We then win a throw deep down the right in their half. The long throw is headed clear to Aiden Lewis, who hits a half-volley that although hit well flies seven yards wide of the far post.
Then on 76 minutes we go further behind they seem to break into our penalty area, a shot that is initially blocked, but we can’t clear is knocked past Strudley into the net (1 – 3).
We try and come forward and Wilson takes the ball and sends a cross over that Reid gets his head to but straight to the keeper.
Then on 79 minutes it is game, set and match, as they send a ball out to the left and three passes later they slot the ball home from close range (1 – 4).
Marcio, tries to get us back in the game, but Bedfont are able to close him down.
Then on 83 mins a ball over the top finds George Reid who beats his marker and takes the ball towards the byline, but then chips the ball back that flies over the keeper, hits the bar, bounces down and they have time to clear.
We make our third change on 85 mins, as we replace James Haworth with Lloyd Snell, and Reid slots into the left back role.
The next few minutes sees some substitutions by Bedfont, but also have two players booked.
We are now moving into added time and we then win a penalty as Bradley Wilson gets fouled. Stefan Brown steps us and sends the keeper the wrong way. GOAL !! Basingstoke Town 2 – 4 Bedfont Sports (S Brown 92 mins)
The referee allows another two minutes of added time, before he blows the final whistle.
Full-time Score: Basingstoke Town 2 v 4 Bedfont Sports
Reid 16 mins, S. Brown 92 mins (Pen) Williams 5 & 76 mins, Diomande 63mins, Flatman 79 mins
Match Thought’s
A simple after the Lord Mayor’s show of a performance as we were outplayed, out-passed and showed very little sign of being a playoff team today. Seemed unable to cover their best player Daryl Sanders all game. Very few positives accept we remain in fifth a point ahead of Uxbridge.
Up Next:
Well following today’s loss we now head back out on the road to a very important but tricky trip to Marlow next Saturday. A strong fan presence is needed to get behind the team.
Match Report by Martin French..
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