Basford Return To Winning Ways

Basford United 2-0 Hyde United (Northern Premier League) 16.10.21

Basford United returned to winning ways after comfortably winning 2-0 against Hyde United at Greenwich Avenue.

First half strikes from Matt Thornhill – a penalty – and Aaron O’Connor was enough to bounce back after defeat to Buxton in the week and move Basford to within one point of the play-offs.

“It was nice to get back to winning ways,” boss Steve Chettle said. “By hook or by crook we needed to win.

“We’ve been up and down; we had a great result last week away at South Shields and a disappointing result against a very good team in Buxton on Tuesday, so we’re delighted – a good day all round.

“I thought we were better at the top of the pitch. A well created goal starting out left from Kane [Richards] to get the penalty and ‘OC’ [Aaron O’Connor], Alex Howes and Reco Fyfe all could have had enough one, so that’s another positive.

“We set our stool out every week to get a clean sheet each week and that way you know you’re guaranteed a point every game,” he added. “With Adam [Collin] and the back four – along with Owen Betts this year – they’ve all done really, really well.”

Declan Dunn failed a late fitness test and was left out, replaced by Alex Howes who started successive games, whilst O’Connor switched with Rev James up top and there was a place on the bench for Academy scholar Lewis Rourke.

Completely untroubled throughout, things may have differed had Tom Pratt capitalised on Brad Gascoigne’s short back-pass after only three minutes or found referee Kurt Bartlett in a more lenient mood after he was bundled over by Ryan Wilson moments later.

As it were, Jim Gannon’s United were completely outplayed in a game lacking in true quality, a testimony to their wretched form of late.

Thornhill’s shot after 24 minutes was well blocked, and Reco Fyfe should have done better with an effort that curled well wide from 12 yards out six minutes later.

Kane Richards looked lively, and his darting run into the area saw him clumsily upended by Ciaran Summers in the area.

‘Keeper Craig Ellison guessed correctly, but skipper Thornhill’s penalty carried accuracy and pace and the home side deservedly led.

Hyde huffed and puffed but were poor and their afternoon was summarised when Jack Dyche was withdrawn before half-time after innocuously clashing with Adam Collin.

Things worsened for those from Cheshire before the break as, only seconds later, O’Connor benefitted from a poor display of defending to anticipate well and fire under the onrushing Ellison and the away inquest began.

Chettle described Hyde as exciting pre-game and there were flashes throughout, albeit rarely. Aiden Butterworth was denied by a superb fingertip from Collin after 52 minutes before Basford’s onslaught resumed.

Thornhill nearly added to their tally when his header flicked inches over after a well-worked corner routine with Wilson and O’Connor really should have put the game to bed on the hour, only a delay in his decision-making allowed Fogerty to retreat and clear.

Comfortable and untroubled, Chettle introduced 17-year-old striker Rourke – fresh from his FA Youth Cup exploits in the week – for his debut late on in what is another feather in the Club’s ambitious cap, as managerless Radcliffe Borough are up next on Saturday.

Basford United: Adam Collin, Dom Roma, Ryan Wilson, Brad Gascoigne, Stef Galinski, Alex Howes, Reco Fyfe, Matt Thornhill, Marcus Marshall (Lewis Rourke 89), Kane Richards, Aaron O’Connor (Rev James 75).

Hyde United: Craig Ellison, Bradley Roscoe, Ciaran Summers, Cameron Fogerty, James Jones (Mitch Candlin 61), Harry Ditchfield, Fenton Green, Jack Dyche (Carter Waters 45), Aiden Butterworth (Bradley Page 85), Tom Pratt.

Venue: Greenwich Avenue (254)