Southern League Division One South - Bashley FC draw with Tavistock AFC
Southern League Division One South
Bashley FC 0
Tavistock AFC 0
Bashley went into their final home league game hoping to end a bizarre run of form in which they took one point from their previous five matches at The GlenMex after winning their last four away.
It didn’t quite work out – but it almost did in the ninth minute of ten, added when Josh Bertie chipped the Tavistock keeper only for the ball to drift a fraction wide.
Had it gone in, it might have been unfair on the visitors, who had plenty of chances in a contest that epitomised the saying, a game of two halves.
Bash hardly had a look-in during the first half but dominated the game after the break.
Their near-miss at the end summed up just how frustrating things have been going for Bashley at home, not only recently but through much of a season in which the admirable away record has kept the team clear of any severe relegation worries.
Having played recently with just one available striker, Bashley were relieved to have Conor Whiteley back from a three-week absence to support Max Wilcock, while Sam Steel returned after injury in the back four.
Tavistock made the much brighter start and had Bash on the back foot in the early minutes and through most of the half.
Jack Endacott was first to threaten with a surging run up from left back and fired a shot which Ross Casey could only palm away.
The ever-reliable Brad Morris completed the clearance before anyone from Tavistock could follow up.
Bashley were increasingly under the cosh, and in the 19th minute, they survived a series of hair-raising incidents. Prynn wriggled in one-on-one behind the Bashley defence and hit his shot as Casey advanced. The keeper pushed it away before reacting quickly to do the same thing with Prynn’s follow-up. The ball fell to Alfie Cunningham six yards out, but he skied his effort.
Tavistock found a way past Casey on 24 minutes, but Josh Bertie, relishing his new role as left-back, raced in to clear off the line.
The first half had fallen short of Bashley’s expectations, but they started to have much the better of things with Bertie prominent. Down the left flank, he twice crossed into a dangerous area. Eventually, the ball came back to him, but when he cut in, he could not control his shot, which soared over the bar.
The impetus had switched to Bashley, and after Wilcock won a corner, Delaney crossed to Steel at the far post, but Aaron Dearing saved his header.
It was suddenly all Bashley. Eddie Hodge sent Jamie Johnston away and he found space to shoot. His effort had pace but lacked direction and went straight at Dearing.
Next, Delaney broke free again and crossed perfectly for Max Wilcock, but his potentially match-winning header from eight yards was just too high.
Further chances came and went, and the whistle arrived, signalling a stalemate draw.
Bashley ends their Southern League campaign away at Westbury on Saturday, while the other game before the curtain comes down on the season is a testimonial game for Brad Morris to mark his long and loyal stay at the club on Saturday, 11th May.
Bashley: R. Casey, J. Webber, S. Steel, A. Rolls, J. Bertie, B. Morris, L. Ross, L. Delaney, C. Whiteley, J. Johnston, M. Whitlock. Subs: E. Duell-Merritt, N. Prestel, S. Wright, E. Hodge, C. Wooding.
