Basford Through In FA Youth Cup

Basford United’s under 18s were in stunning form as they won 7-1 away to Alfreton Town in the FA Youth Cup.

The visitors strolled into the lead through Sam Newell’s effort and never looked back from there. Rory Harrison and Jacob Taylor quickly made it 3-0 before Wayde Hines curled in a free-kick for four. Before the break Harvey Berrisford pulled one back for the hosts.

That was nothing but a consolation though as Jericho Bonner extended Basford’s lead before Taylor got his second. The night was capped off when Hines slotted home from the penalty spot late on.

Josh Law named a squad mostly made of first year players, with just captain Mackenzie Rooney, Tobias Rhule and Taylor the only three named in the starting XI that are in the second year of the club’s academy programme.

Basford quickly settled into the game, and after two long efforts for the hosts, went into the lead. A good passing move saw the ball come to Newell, whose deflected effort nestled into the back of the net. It was soon 2-0 as Harrison curled a low effort into the bottom corner after linking up with Taylor down the right.

They then moved into a 3-0 lead after Jude Thompson had gone close for the hosts. Taylor this time beat the offside trap down the left and fired low into the far corner of the net.

Hines was the next player to get on the score sheet. Newell won a free-kick leaving Hines to send the ball into the bottom corner out of the reach of Callum Strange in the Alfreton net. A rare error from Basford then gifted the hosts a goal as Berrisfold tapped into an empty as they failed to clear out lines.

Towards the end of the half it was Basford who went close on a number of occasions with Nathaniel Peters having their best chances. The midfielder burst his way into the area and forced a good stop from the Alfreton number one. He then had another effort saved after a good passing move sent him through as the score remained 4-1 at the break.

There was no let up as Law’s side started the second half on the front. Taylor sent an effort inches over the bar from range before Newell had an effort blocked, as the pair both looked for their second goals of the night.

A free-kick seemed to offer the hosts some hope of a way back into the game but a stunning save from Gianni Musson to claw the ball off the line after it was flicked goalwards kept the gap to three. Basford were soon back on the front foot and had a deserved fifth. Bonner ghosted his way in at the back post to tap into the net. They quickly then extended their lead to five. Bonner was involved again forcing the ‘keeper to flap at a ball into the box and Taylor was on hand to drill in the rebound.

The final ten minutes of the game saw Alfreton send an effort from range over Musson’s cross bar before the visitors moved onto seven. Hines was hauled down in the area and the 16-year old stepped up to slot home from the penalty spot for the final action of the night.