Memorial wins boost Bashley's brilliant pre-season showing
BASHLEY FC continued their excellent pre-season form with two wins over opposition from high leagues in popular memorial fixtures.
The latest contest against Basingstoke Town was played to honour Trevor Parker – who passed away earlier this year – and attracted 179 in the crowd to help raise more than £600 for a cancer charity.
One of the biggest names in local football and a character on and off the field, Trevor is held in fond regard by the two clubs since he had successful spells managing both.
At Bashley he worked wonders, guiding the side to the old South Division title at their first attempt in 1989 and into the Premier Division, where they rubbed shoulders against illustrious sides such as Burton Albion.
In the early stages of the game Bashley, who included Brad Morris, were the first to settle and went ahead in the sixth minute when following a corner, a Jack Smith half cleared shot fell to Jesse Gould who, from 10 yards out, split the defensive wall with a well-place drive.
Soon after Harry McGrath was first to a low, hard corner but his excellent hooked shot was off target, while a net-bound chance at the other end was nullified by a goal-line block by the effervescent Jack Smith and a Jamie Webber attempt sailed the wrong side of the Basingstoke bar.
A flowing move instigated by Hugh Dathan and Jack Smith, encouraged the closely marked Ollie Smith to break free from his towering defender only for the Bash new boy to slice wide. Just before half-time Bash keeper Ollie Bull bravely intercepted a fierce goal bound effort.
As expected, both teams made changes in the second half with every bench player getting game time and again it was young Brogen Sims that made good use of this opportunity.
Harry McGrath battled his way through a packed defensive line but unable to see a chink in the armour passed across the box; Sims, who had run astutely into space, grabbed the chance and coolly placed his shot out of the keeper’s reach.
Prior to that contest Bash saw off Winchester City 3-0 in the annual Dave Jose Trophy fixture. The holders visited Bashley Road for the popular contest, while Bash fielded a team of 18 consisting the bulk of last season’s squad, returning former players Lewis Ross and Conor Whiteley, and several trialists.
Young prospect Ollie Smith quickly displayed his credentials; his forward run to greet and dispatch a cross-goal pass, delivered with speed and accuracy by Jesse Gould, was sheer perfection.
Early in the second half another cross from Gould led to the home side doubling their tally when from just inside the box Whiteley fired home surgically into the far corner of the net.
As the game progressed both sides made changes as the benches played musical chairs.
It was left to Brogan Sims, whose goalscoring prowess with the U18s last season was cruelly curtailed by a broken collar bone, to show he had recovered when he smartly added the finishing touch to a loose ball following several blocked shots in the Winchester goal area.
Bash finish their pre-season campaign tonight (Tuesday) at home to Sholing - 7.45pm ko - and start their Sydenhams Wessex Premier campaign on Saturday by hosting Fleet Town.
