Basford Win At Matlock

Matlock Town 0-1 Basford United (Northern Premier League) 04.01.20

Basford United picked up their first win of the New Year as they won 1-0 away at Matlock Town today. Matt Thornhill gave Basford the lead at the break with a chipped effort. The hosts pilled on the pressure in the second half but could not find an equaliser as a Spencer Harris penalty cannoned back off the bar.

There were no changes to the Basford starting XI that drew 0-0 with Grantham Town on New Year’s Day.

The hosts edged the opening exchanges of the game with Pietu Crouz causing issues. The winger cut into the area and fired goalwards only to be denied by Stef Galinski who was back on the line. Basford grew into the game as it progressed and Kane Richards forced Jon Stewart into a save just after the 20th minute mark.

The game then lacked any real quality with both sides struggling to fashion any clear-cut opportunities. Callum Chettle burst forward from deep but it came to nothing either side of long balls being aimed towards Ash Worsfold. Up the other end Marcus Marshall curled over the bar.

With seven minutes left in the half there was finally a moment of quality. James Reid picked out Thornhill and the Basford skipper guided the ball over Stewart and into the empty net to give his side the lead at the break.

Matlock had a great chance to level within ten minutes of the restart. After Marshall had been fouled inside the area Harris stepped up, but his spot kick came back off the cross bar.

On the hour mark the hosts came close again but Brad Gascoigne was there to head the ball away from several on rushing Matlock players.

Basford had a great chance on the counter with Reid breaking away but it ended with Richards being caught in an offside position. On the 80-minute mark Courey Grantham beat Stewart but his powerful effort fizzed the wrong side of the post. Up the other end Luke Hinsley was inches away from meeting a cross from the right. Minutes later a free kick was met by Bailey Gooda but his header was over the bar. Sam Scrivens’ set play then caused issues in Basford’s back line. Scrivens dinked the ball from a central position and Kieran Preston was forced to palm it away as it looked to run all the way through. The subsequent corner saw Hinsley’s acrobatic effort fizz over the bar.

Despite the late siege from the hosts, Basford had the ball in the back of the net again before Grantham’s tap in was ruled out for offside as they eventually hung on well to earn all three points.

The win keeps United in the promotion race in fourth place on 39 points from 22 played with Bamber Bridge at home next up on Saturday.

Matlock Town: Stewart, Yates, Gordon, Dean, Harris, Gooda, Hinsley, Tucker Poole, Marshall (Rea 78), Scrivens, Crouz (Chilaka 73).

Basford United: Preston, Roma, Wilson, Thornhill, Gascoigne, Galinski, Richards (Watson 77), Chettle (Carr 84), Worsfold (Grantham 67), Thomas, Reid.

Venue: Causeway Lane (424)