NL News: Basildon 0-2 Enfield Town

[Guest]

Story: ***image1***Ten-man Basildon kept Town at bay this afternoon, finally losing out in extra-time to two Kevin Riley goals. The game got off to a lively start and Stuart Snowden forced a fine save from Davies in the first minute, powering in a header from a Bunn free-kick that the keeper did well to tip away.

Basildon countered by gaining a corner in their first attack, but it was a rare foray up-field for the home team as Town seized control of the game. The partnership of James Bunn and Daniel Clarke up front caused the home defence problems all afternoon and it soon became one-way traffic as Town kept possession and flooded forward in numbers.

Danny Snowsill had a rare scoring opportunity on 30 minutes but Davies was equal to the task and safely gathered up the shot. Matt Negus nearly embarrassed Davies a minute later when his high, looping cross caught the keeper unaware before bouncing harmlessly over the crossbar.

Clarke was using his pace to good effect and found his way around the back of the defence on more than one occasion.

Town continued to dominate after the break and John Ridout was only inches away from connecting with a dangerous cross from Nicky Morgan on 52 minutes.

Basildon went down to ten men on 56 minutes when Alan Bird was sent off after inexplicably throwing the ball straight at Bunn when taking poised to take a throw-on. It was certainly out of character with the game and although both sides had players booked it was a good-tempered contest

throughout.

Ridout was close again on 57 minutes but just failed to reach a cross from Bunn. Ridout turned provider on 64 minutes, flicking on a long throw from Stuart Snowden to set up Morgan with a chance that flew over the bar by a matter of inches.

Basildon had a great chance to snatch a breakaway goal on 75 minutes but Igor Leschuk dragged his shot wide with only Hall to beat.

Town made two tactical changes in the second half, and the

introduction of Riley and Brad Quinn set further problems for the home defence. The final whistle brought only a brief respite as Town continued the pressure in extra-time.

The breakthrough eventually came right at the end of the first period, when Clarke raced on to a long clearance from Hall and drove in a low cross the Riley blasted home from close range.

Bradley Brotherton had a shot well saved by the impressive Davies on 112 minutes but Riley sealed the result soon after with his second goal, tapping home from close range after a Clarke run into the box appeared to have reached a dead end.

Brotherton had a goal ruled out for offside deep into injury time and by then Basildon were hanging on grimly.

The win sees Town through to the first round proper in

their first-ever FA Vase campaign, with a chance of a good run in the competition still on the cards.

 

Basildon United; Davies, Parker (capt) (Hornsby 68), Axcell, Large, Barnes, Arnold, Poole, Bolton, Hewes (Curtis 139), Leschuk, Bird.

Unused subs; Kightly, Richmond, Jay.

Booked; Axcell, Leschuk, Poole.

Sent off; Bird.

 

Enfield Town; A Hall, Allen, Negus, Snowden, Brotherton, Snowsill (Riley 68), Morgan (Quinn 73), Ridout (capt), Clarke, Bunn (Couling 100), M St Hilaire.

Unused sub; Poole.

Goals; Riley 105, 117.

Booked; Clarke, Allen M St Hilaire.

 

Attendance 178.

 

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What do you think about this story? Post your comments below.

[Mr Happy]

I couldn't get to this game but it sounds as if the man of the match was the Basildon keeper! Let's hope the next draw sees Town at home.

[Tom S]

Not a bad call. His centre-half, at about 6 foot 6, wasn't far behind.

 

The TOTE collective (those who weren't at Donnington Park, in Austria or in Gloucestershire) felt that our man of the match was Chopper. He had sod all to do except face down two breakaways from Leschuk. The first was mentioned in the report above where he shot wide - but credit goes to Chopper for giving him nothing to shoot at.

 

The second isn't mentioned, but in extra time Leschuk broke clear again. This time the shot was a good one and Chopper made an excellent save. He then caught the corner and passed immediately to Clarkey on the edge of Basildon's area to set up the first goal.

[matthew oliver]

god why do you write sooooo much.

[Badger]

Because he can.

[Tom S]

Thank you for your support Mr Badger.

 

I shall wear it with pride.

[Badger]

As long as you don't wear it with stirupps.

 

It can chafe something awful.

[Basil-Don]

Good report,interesting to see hullbridge's graham poole playing in the same Bees team as michael kightly.

[WTF]

Good report,interesting to see hullbridge's graham poole playing in the same Bees team as michael kightly.

 

 

Hi Rich, have you developed a new hobby of replying to 8+ year old posts?

 

Or are you just trying to avoid the subject of this season? lol

 

Good report,interesting to see hullbridge's graham poole playing in the same Bees team as michael kightly.

 

 

Hi Rich, have you developed a new hobby of replying to 8+ year old posts?

 

Or are you just trying to avoid the subject of this season? lol