Basford United 2-1 Alvechurch (FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round) 31.10.20
Basford United booked their place in the next round of the FA Trophy with a 2-1 win over Alvechurch.
Basford dominated proceedings but it took until the 86th for them to break the deadlock as 17-year old Wayde Hines fired home from close range for his first senior goal for the club.
Marcus Marshall then headed in his third in as many games as Basford wrapped up the win. Kieran Cook’s long-range effort in the last few moments did get Alvechurch on the scoreboard but the result was already confirmed.
Alvechurch had the first chance of the game after just ten seconds when Sam McLintock fired straight at Kieran Preston but after that it was one-way traffic as Basford dominated proceedings.
Ryan Wilson saw a freekick saved, even though it looked to be heading wide before the fullback almost curled the resultant corner into the far corner of the net. James Clifton, who was starting for the first time since he went off injured in Basford’s draw with Matlock, then drew a good save from Matt Sargeant in the Alvechurch net.
That dominance was then almost rewarded had it not been for a player on the line on two occasions. First Marcus Marshall saw a flicked effort blocked on the near post before a slick passing move ended with a player smashing the ball off the line from Kyle Dixon’s driven effort.
Just after the half hour mark Basford had Sargeant diving across his goal. The ‘keeper did well to deny Wilson before he pulled off another save from Rev James on the rebound, which Clifton followed up with a good strike but his effort was blocked.
Basford did have the Alvechurch number one beaten two minutes later but the ball still did find the back of the net as Wilson’s curling freekick came back off the post, as the visitors held on to see the goalless score line through until the break.
The start of the second half continued the same pattern of the first with Basford on top and they should have been in front three minutes after the restart. Callum Chettle did well to find some room down the right and looked to pick out James but the forward could not make contact on the ball.
Kane Richards then saw a header held by Sargeant before the ‘keeper pulled off a stunning stop to keep Basford out. Wilson’s low freekick was deflected into the path of Marshall but somehow Sargeant got down to keep out the Basford forward from point blank range.
Alvechurch did finally give Kieran Preston something to do on 74 minutes as Tom Turton tried to catch the Basford ‘keeper off his line but he was able to back track and push the effort wide before the hosts went close up the other end.
Richards burst into the area before a good effort was deflected inches wide of the target. Dixon then dragged an effort wide of the goal after some good link up play with Marshall.
The breakthrough came with four minutes left on the club. Substitute Matt Thornhill’s cross came across the face of goal to Hines who was there to hit the ball in from close range. That lead was quickly doubled as Marshall rose highest to head home his third in two games.
In the final moments of the game Cook smashed in what was nothing more than a consolation for the visitors as those two quick fire goals had secured Basford’s place in the next round.
Basford United: Preston, Clifton, Wilson, Dunn, Gascoigne, Roma, Dixon, Chettle, Marshall, Richards (Hines 83), James (Thornhill 71).
Alvechurch: Sargeant, Walker, Birch (Sephton 42), Turton, Hull, Willets, Brown-Hill, Botfield, Wakeling (Barkers 83), McLintock (Downing 60), Cook.
Venue: Greenwich Avenue (291)
*Article provided by Harry Worgan (Basford United Correspondent).
*Main image @Basfordutdfc Marcus Marshall celebrates with match winner Wade Hines.
