BASHLEY 2-1 FALMOUTH TOWN

BASHLEY 2-1 FALMOUTH TOWN

Falmouth Town made the long trip east on Saturday and it was an early 06:30 start for our first ever visit to the Veho Community Stadium deep in the New Forrest. Its only 198 miles door to door,but on the last weekend before the schools go back,extra traffic and roadworks, it’s always best to allow time for the unexpected and not turn up late. It also gives you time to chat with the home support and officials and exchange views on various topics whilst enjoying their hospitality. It might have been a good idea to have had a discussion with the Stadium announcer on the pronunciation of some of the town players names as a lot of them were hilarious.

A quick look through the very glossy match programme revealed the Bashley squad is peppered with players who are used to playing at a higher level with Dorchester, Salisbury, Weymouth and AFC Totton. Along with some very talented youngsters they look a very capable side. And so it proved from the K.O. as they started at a blistering pace with some neat inter passing and closing Town players down as soon as they had the ball and intercepting passes. It was from one interception on four minutes that led to the Bashley right winger crossing to his opposite number Luke Delaney running in on the far post unmarked to volley an unstoppable shot past Morgan Coxhead in the Town goal.

On seven mins Falmouth Town’s Luke Barner went on a run down the right wing before cutting in past two players only to see his shot saved by the Bashley keeper, Mack Allen.

On twenty-five mins a long through ball to Oscar Massey found the pacey striker rounding the keeper out wide, but his shot only found the side netting.

Four mins later saw a sucker punch for town. A bit of pin ball in the box with town failing to clear their lines,found the ball falling to Scott Bungay who despatched it into the back of the net.

2-0 H/T

Some harsh words from Falmouth Town’s manager Andy Westgarth during half time and a change of formation and personnel with Ruben Wilson replacing Cam Hutchison gave Town more urgency and threat. Twelve minutes into the second-half, Luke Barner received the ball running into the box before being fouled by the keeper. The referee pointing immediately to the spot and showing a yellow card to Allen.

It was at this point the vociferous Bashley teenage fans ran behind the goal to try and put Oscar Massey off the spot kick. It was to no avail though, as he coolly despatched an unstoppable penalty to make it 2-1.

As the half wore on Bashley were beginning to flag and Town were gaining in confidence. Eighty-five minutes, and a double substitution of Olly Walker for Luke Barner and Luke Brabyn for Jared Sims boosted the Town attack as they searched for a late equaliser. However, it was defender Harrison Jewell who made a long run down the right wing before hitting a shot only to see it cannon back off the post with the referee blowing for full time shortly afterwards.

2-1 F/T

Att: 401