Bashley sink US Portsmouth to go third

Wessex Premier
Bashley FC 2
US Portsmouth FC 0

BASHLEY moved into third place and stretched their unbeaten run to 11 matches with a comfortable win against US Portsmouth.

Goals from Dan Thompson and Jamie Webber allowed the New Forest side to pick up their 10th win in their last 11 league matches.

Bashley started briskly with Webber, Lyle Simpson, and Adam Grange, all slightly off-target with goal attempts. However, Bashley did not have to wait long, with Webber producing his trademark ghosting into the danger area, this time meeting a Grange cross before hooking the opener past the keeper.

Bashley were now in full flow, with the front two well supported by midfield duo Brad Morris and Lewis Ross, and precision long balls from Dan Thompson and Sam Jackson.

The toll of missed opportunities grew with Ross, Ollie Bradley and Lewis Aimson joining Webber and Grange with frustrated efforts to find the net.

Persistence finally paid dividends when Dan Thompson slotted a piercing free-kick into the bottom corner of the net.

Bashley, now reasonably comfortable with a two-goal lead, were grateful for the skills of keeper Ross Casey when the shot-stopper produced a flying interception to end any chance of a Services revival.

Bashley made full use of the bench with Liam Farrugia and Harrison White having a run after injury lay-offs, and Bue Bennett replacing Simpson.

Despite changes in personnel and formation, the result was a goal-less second half as the chances mounted. USP went nearest to scoring with a header, but Bashley secured a comfortable two-goal victory.

Bashley: R. Casey, J. Smith, D. Thompson, S. Jackson, L. Aimson, B. Morris, L. Ross, L. Simpson, J. Webber, A. Grange, O. Bradley. Subs: S. Thompson, H. Bunce, L. Farrugia, H. White, B. Bennett.