Venue: Greenwich Avenue 3G
Kick off : 7:30pm
Me and Kev have recently purchased Basford Utd season tickets, and all pre-season home games were included in the price, so despite their being several other games of interest locally, we opted to go and take in a "freebie" at Greenwich Avenue. With rain falling throughout the day, the 3G surface also guranteed the game would be on. As it transpired though, only two local games were lost the the weather - with most grass pitches welcoming a good watering after the recent drought.
Made our way over to the stand on the far side of the pitch - always a good view until thoughtless others decide to stand in front of you - this time though the offenders quickly realised they were blocking our view and decided to relocate.
This was our first chance to see a Basford team with the recent recruits, Laurie Wilson, Dom Roma and Liam Hearn included - a trio of signings that should bolster the defence (Roma), the midfield ( Wilson) and attack (Hearn).
A minutes silence before kick off was well observed - in memory of Mansfield Town academy physio Matt Salmon who sadly passed away in May.
Hearn had his first chance to show his attacking prowess in just the third minute, but his well placed shot was well saved by the Stags' keeper. He forced the keeper into action again on 12, but again the stopper saved his first shot and his follow up effort.
I watched the Mansfield younsters quite a lot last season, and although half-a-dozen have recently signed first team forms, it is difficult to see them making the break through into a League 2 starting eleven. Manager Steve Evans has brought in more or less a whole new first team squad at Field Mill, and I would imagine the players on show tonight will remain on the fringe throughout the coming season.
Saul Deeney had to palm a header over the bar with half-an-hour played, but in reality with Wilson and Reid both outstanding in the centre of the park, and the protection they offered top notch, the Basford back line was rarely troubled. H-T 0-0
Basford made several changes as the second half progressed, two trialists, Reece Bertram, Ashley Grayson, Deon Meikle, Jake Wood and Kieran Wells all getting a run out. It was Wells who opened the scoring for the home team on 68, a corner fired in from the right headed powerfully home from 6 yards, much to the delight of the Basford faithful.
Image courtesy Chris Munroe
The Stags had also made several changes, but still found it difficult to trouble the Basford back line overly much. With just a few minutes remaining, Wells made a surging run into the Stags penalty area, He picked out one of the trialists in front of goal, and although the Town keeper did well to block the trialists shot, he couldn't hold onto the ball. As a top striker should do, Wells had carried on his run into the six yard box and with lightning quick reactions, managed to stab the loose ball over the line to chalk up his and Basford's second of the night. F-T 2-0
Basford starting eleven : Saul Deeney, Fabian Smith, Jamie Walker, Laurie Wilson, Lewis Carr, Dom Roma, James Reid, Rob Doolan, Liam Hearn, Callum Smith, Gideon Asiedu Boateng.
Basford starting eleven : Saul Deeney, Fabian Smith, Jamie Walker, Laurie Wilson, Lewis Carr, Dom Roma, James Reid, Rob Doolan, Liam Hearn, Callum Smith, Gideon Asiedu Boateng.
