Bashley 2 – Falmouth Town 1

It was an early 6.30am start for Falmouth Town's first ever visit to the Veho Community Stadium deep in the New Forest, writes Nigel Wilkes.

It’s only 198 miles door-to-door, but on the last weekend before the schools go back, extra traffic and roadworks, it's always best to allow time for the unexpected and not turn up late. It also gives you time to chat with the home support and officials and exchange views on various topics whilst enjoying their hospitality.

It might have been a good idea to have had a discussion with the stadium announcer on the pronunciation of some of the Town players’ names as a lot of them were hilarious.

A quick look through the very glossy match programme revealed the Bashley squad is peppered with players who are used to playing at a higher level with Dorchester, Salisbury Weymouth and AFC Totton. Along with some very talented youngsters, they look a very capable side in the Southern League. 

And so it proved from the kick-off, as they started at a blistering pace with some neat inter-passing and closing Town players down as soon as they had the ball, and intercepting passes.

It was from one interception on four minutes that led to the Bashley right winger crossing to his opposite number, Luke Delaney, running in on the far post unmarked to volley an unstoppable shot past Morgan Coxhead in the Town goal.

On seven minutes Town player Luke Barner went on a run down the right wing before cutting in past two players, only to see his shot saved by Bashley keeper Mack Allen.

On 25 minutes a long through ball to Oscar Massey found the pacey striker rounding the keeper out wide, but his shot only found the side netting.

Four minutes later saw a sucker punch for Town. A bit of pinball in the box, with Town failing to clear their lines, found the ball falling to Scott Bungay, who despatched it into the back of the net.

Some harsh words from manager Andy Westgarth during half time and a change of formation and personnel, with Ruben Wilson replacing Cam Hutchison, gave Town more urgency and threat, and 12 minutes into the half Barner received the ball, running into the box before being fouled by the keeper. The referee pointed immediately to the spot and showed a yellow card to Allen.

It was at this point the vociferous Bashley teenage fans ran behind the goal to try and put Oscar Massey off the spot kick. It was to no avail though, as he coolly despatched an unstoppable penalty to make it 2-1.

As the half wore on Bashley were beginning to flag and Town were gaining in confidence.

A double substitution at 85 minutes saw Olly Walker on for Luke Barner and Luke Brabyn for Jared Sims.

This boosted the Town attack as they searched for a late equaliser, but it was defender Harrison Jewell who made a long run down the right wing before hitting a shot, only to see it cannon back off the post with the referee blowing for full time afterwards.