Goal-shy Bashley FC pay the price against Fareham Town

BASHLEY were left kicking themselves as they had the majority of play but were unable to make it count in a 2-1 defeat at Fareham Town on Saturday.

The New Forest outfit dominated from the start and entertained with crisp passing and high pressing that kept the ball in the Fareham half for most of the game.

Fareham hardly bothered Callum Ward in the Bashley goal, but held the trump-card in Simon Ward, whose speed and ball skills orchestrated both Fareham goals.

Bashley were quickly out of the stalls with Hugh Dathan, Nathan Clements and Cameron Beard spearheading the attack. Despite this, it was Fareham that scored on seven minutes when a breakaway by Ward produced a corner from which unmarked Creeksider captain, Garry Moody, headed home.

Bashley took this in their stride and continued to press: the defensive midfield of Brad Morris and Liam Farrugia joined the attacking surge along with wingbacks Lewis Aimson and Jack Smith and together they served up a rich diet of forward and cross-goal assists that signalled goal rush. This was not to be, and the best chances of the half fell to the charging Morris who was unlucky when just failing to reach two far post crosses.

The second half produced more of the same but with the Fareham back three winning almost everything in the air and Bashley’s long shots being way off-target. Beard was bundled off the ball when through on goal, but the challenge was deemed fair whilst at the other end, Ward broke the Bash barrage with another dazzling run that almost ended in success. Dathan was also felled in the penalty area but this was judged more of a slip by the referee.

Another against-the-flow run by Ward resulted in a goalmouth scramble that was ended by Scott Hamilton who shot home through a crowd of players after the ball had broken loose.

Bashley brought on Jamie Webber and Harvey Slade, with the later bringing a new dimension with his darting movement and runs. Beard was the first to benefit but the ball was whipped from his feet by a brave save from the keeper.

Bashley at last found the net when Slade pranced into the box only to be brought down: Clements giving no chance from the spot to grab what was a consolation goal for Bash.

Bashley: Ward, Smith, Aimson, Morris, Thompson, Dathan, Strickland, Clements, White, Beard. Used Subs: Webber, Slade.