Basford United 1-0 Hednesford Town (Southern League Central Division) 11.10.22

On Monday night, Basford United U18’s reached the first-round proper of the FA Youth Cup for a second successive season after beating Lincoln United 2-0 thanks to goals from Desmond Saane and Lui Bull.

On Tuesday night, after some cup exploits of their own over the past week or so, Basford United’s first team left it very late, to grab an important win which takes them to within a point of the playoffs.

With Nottingham Sport in attendance on a cold night, it was the home side which started off on the front foot, against a team second bottom in the league who were no mugs themselves. United struggling to break down the Hednesford defence in a tight opening 45 that saw the two sides go in at the break goalless.

An injury to winger Ben Starkie early in the second half saw Notts County loanee Luther Munakandafa enter the field, and it was he who had the first real opportunity of the match, dribbling inside the area before striking hard a certain goal it looked, until Pics goalkeeper Tiernan Brooks, also on loan from Notts County, a team-mate of the Basford substitute, saving brilliantly with a strong right arm.

Gregg Smith was next to test the goalkeeper, he struck from outside the box a low shot which was saved, perhaps even coming off a post, that started a spell of pressure where Basford were unlucky not to score after forcing a number of corners.

As the match wore on, Basford’s own legs look tired, having faced some tough and testing cup matches in recent weeks, they conceded plenty of late possession, with the away side coming more into the play, they had chances themselves as they enjoyed their best spell of the match but couldn’t trouble Kieran Preston in the United goal, and as the game looked to be heading for a scoreless draw, deep in injury time, Corey Grantham crossed into the box where Town defender Keith Lowe swung a boot, the ball flying into his own net for a devastating own goal against the relegation strugglers, and a massive three points for Mark Clifford’s side, who were certainly not at their best on the night.

There was time for more drama as a late headed opportunity was cleared off the line, Hednesford players up in arms shouting for handball, as the Referee ended the match promptly after.

Next up for United, the biggest match in the clubs history on Saturday coming, as Basford travel to National League side Solihull Moors in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round, a win will see the club reach the first round proper for the first ever time.

Basford United: Preston, Betts, Barnes, Patrick, Roma, Irvine, Grantham, Chapman (Bertram 89), Smith, Dwyer (Palmer 67), Starkie (Munakandafa 53).

*Main image @Papapix late celebrations saw Basford snatch dramatic victory in injury time.