Lymington honour Leon with Vase victory against Bashley

FA Vase: Bashley 1-4 Lymington Town

LYMINGTON Town scored three first-half goals in a 4-1 win over local rivals Bashley to advance to the next round of the FA Vase.

Before the game, a minute's silence was held following the passing of former Lymington Town and Southampton chairman Leon Crouch.

In the third minute, Lymington were awarded a penalty when Dom Falco was needlessly brought down. Michael Gosney stepped up and fired home to put the Linnets ahead.

Minutes later, Bashley defender Lewis Aimson, who had recently returned from serious leg injury, fell awkwardly to earth after rising to meet a corner which resulted in a double fracture of his lower arm. Tom Betts replaced the hospital-bound Aimson just in time to see Linnets’ forward Falco brush aside the now-unsettled defence to score with relative ease.

The onslaught continued for Lymington, and it took a double save from Jason Collins in the Bashley goal to keep the game alive. This reprieve didn’t last long, and it was Steve Flynn who pounced on the hosts’ defensive error when he drifted through to slot home a third goal for the visitors.

It took until to the final minutes of the half before punch-drunk Bashley cleared their heads and a ferocious drive by Harry McGrath hurtled past the post to give hope of a second-half revival.

A revitalised Bashley took to the field after the break and Lymington keeper Nic Jones was called to action when Harry Morgan went close, put through by Jack Smith. The breakthrough came when McGrath cantered down the right, moved inside and his shot, tangent to both goalmouth and keeper, and found the far corner of the net.

However, Lymington restored their lead when a free-kick was awarded 35 yards out. Gosney’s fantastic long-range effort nestled into the back of the net to give Lymington a 4-1 victory and a place in the next round.

Lymington boss Dave Lewis was delighted with his side’s performance. He told the A&T: “We have respect for Bashley as they are among the best footballing sides in the league. The lads were up for it as it was a Vase game and an away local derby. Scoring early settled us, and from then on, we were clinical in front of goal. It was a comprehensive performance against a very good Bashley team.”

“We’d like to dedicate the win to Leon and his family. The contribution Leon made in the reforming of Lymington will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.”