Basford United 1-0 Witton Albion (Northern Premier League) 27.01.20

Basford United went joint top of the league table with a 1-0 win over Witton Albion. The only goal in a tense game just after the hour mark through Kane Richard’s glancing header.

There was one change to the Basford line-up that won 1-0 at home to Morpeth Town in their last game. Nat Watson came into the side in place of Jack Thomas.

Witton had the lion’s share of chances in the opening exchanges but failed to fit the target. James Short fired two efforts over the bar either side of Michael Monaghan’s curling effort that failed to test Kieran Preston. Up the other end Ash Worsfold saw an effort saved by Chris Renshaw before his follow up was cleared off the line.

Watson was the next player to try his luck. The forward brought the ball down on his chest and sent a dipping volley just over the bar. Worsfold then had another chance but he could not get his head on Ryan Wilson’s fizzing cross from the left.

Callum Chettle then saw a long-range effort before James Reid tried to catch the ‘keeper out at the end of the half with a clever free-kick but Renshaw was able to make a good save.

The second half started with Basford on the front foot and on 58 minutes Chettle drew a good save from Renshaw before Watson put the follow up over the bar. Just three minutes later they did go in front. Reid’s free-kick was guided into the bottom corner by the head of Richards.

The visitors then had a chance to draw level from the restart but the shot was over the bar. Short then came even closer forcing Kieran Preston into a good save with a driven effort. The pressure from the visitors continued as Adam Anson headed over the bar from a freekick.

The visitors continued to throw players forward into the dying moments but the Basford back line for the second game in a row stood strong to take all three points.

Basford United: Preston, Roma, Wilson, Thornhill, Carr, Galinski, Richards (Bateman 89), Chettle, Worsfold (James 76), Watson, Reid.

Witton Albion: Renshaw, Baldwin, Short, Wardle, Anson, Ryan (Owens 54), McKenna (Mitchley 72), Lingouba, Jones, Monaghan (Sambor 54), Foley.

Venue: Greenwich Avenue (255)

*Article provided by Harry Worgan (Basford United Correspondent).

*Main image @Basfordutdfc Stef Galinski in action as Basford beat Witton.