CHAMPIONS ELECT BASFORD GO 9 POINTS CLEAR AGAINST 10 MAN LYE

BASFORD UTD 3 V LYE TOWN 0
MIDLANDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE AT GREENWICH AVE
4 APRIL 2015 3PM

LEE HENDRIE EX ENGLAND AND VILLA STAR NOW LEADING A CHARITY PUSH FOR CARE LEUKAEMIA  

[Take a look at the 'we all stand together' facebook page in a few days for more pictures from today]
Basford picked up three valuable points in this top of the table clash but it was a game that was sent awfully of key after 40 seconds when Lye were reduced to ten minute.  United went in 1 up but it wasn't until the final stages of the game that Basford pushed home their advantage to run out comfortable 3-0 winners and go 9 points clear at the head of the table.
So before the game a bit about the day following yesterdays change of ball to the oval type it was back to the round one today.  Early plans had been to take a look at Kettering but with the Easter travel problems I decided to get along to Basford, a ground I had on the to do list for too long now, for 1st against 3rd.  I had come across them with my former CMFL club who drew them, I believe, in the league cup a few years ago, and they had always had a drive to be progressive with their Chairman Chris Munroe at the helm. 

BASFORD'S SMART NEW CHANGING ROOMS AND SCHOOL ROOM

Indeed since leaving step 7 they have steadily developed their ground which now includes a nice new changing room block alongside an academy classroom, these are situated to the right of the turnstile.  Also in this area and before the changing rooms is the snack back and a large modern school like cabin building which was shuttered off today, below all of these buildings is a small bench seated stand.  The far goal as hard standing with the NET Tram system splitting for the Phoenix Park line and Hucknall terminus and behind this the train line running parallel to Worksop.

STAND WITH A VIEW

Moving round to the side opposite the changing rooms is two large dugouts that are quite close together and a nice covered terrace.  Behind the goal by the turnstile entrance is a collection of cabins, hospitality and secretary's being the main function.  There is a seated stand behind the goal which makes it somewhat of a restricted view and it gets more challenging with posts and netting to catch the ball at the side of the goals, it must be quite a difficult view from here.  The turnstile entrance was standard enough, there is also a spare one for those busy games. 

FRIENDLY WELCOME

Upon entering  programmes and raffle are available from a manned table and the whole of this area is nicely capped off with some astroturf grass.
So in a slightly reverse manner outside the ground is the clubs double deck club house which houses a small bar area plus snack bar where the blog undertook chip cob sampling.  Very good they were too we had been concerned because we had found nowhere to eat locally and did not fancy the local 'chipys' we had come across, we certainly made the right choice by eating at the ground.

CLUBHOUSE FOR BASFORD UNITED JUST OUTSIDE THE GROUNDS PERIMETER

Basford have a noticeable level of former professionals on their books and non more so than Lee Hendrie former England international and Aston Villa star, to name a few of the now 37 year olds clubs.  Currently Hendrie is on a big charity drive for 'Cure Leukaemia' and after varying fundraising efforts the next big one is just over 3 weeks away.....The London Marathon!  It was nice to have a little chat with Lee about how preparation is going and we of course wish him all the best in his praiseworthy endeavours.  To this effect Basford were donating £1 to the fund for every supporter today so the 135 that were in attendance was a further boost for the charity.  You can follow Lee on twitter @leehendrie77 take a look and support lee in his efforts.

LEE HENDRIE IN ACTION

Travel today to Greenwich Ave had involved two buses from base and no trains and a fairly local game for the blog after many recent long distance travels.
Before and towards the end of the game it was nice to catch up with Basfords grounds man and former Bilborough Pelican official for a chat.  Following yesterdays heavy rain he had done a tremendous job in getting the pitch ready which by all accounts had been standing in water yesterday afternoon, well done.
The game started as mentioned above with a disastrous start when Lye were reduced to ten men following a foul on Stuart Hendrie, brother of Lee, when he was 25 yards out just 40 seconds in.  Most in the crowd expected a yellow card with two players in the centre offering cover but amazingly and probably harshly referee Bond produced a red to dismiss Bradley Smith.  A brave decision but one that ultimately rather spoiled the game as an attacking force for both teams.  It was Basford who commanded the first half and with visiting keeper Damian Stevens in fine form there was just one goal for the home side to celebrate. 

1-0 TYRELL SHANNON

The 17th minute provided the deadlock breaker when Tyrell Shannon raced onto a through ball arrived before Stevens and placed the ball over him into the goal from just outside the box.

CAMERAS DONT ALWAYS CAPTURE THE BEST PICTURE THE GOALPOSTS WERE DEFINITELY UPRIGHT AND STRAIGHT!

The second half saw Lye continue their hard work to limit the home side and hope for a chance that could maybe level the game it didn't come and on 69 minutes Stevens again saved well from a Shannon shot the ball fell out to Stuart Hendrie who crashed the loose ball in off the underside of the bar. 

STUART HENDRIE

It may have opened the floodgates now but it wasn't to be as Lye continued to represent themselves well in a defensive capacity and Basford at time were a little over elaborate, however on 90 minutes the scoreline was extended to 3-0.  Substitute Courey Grantham broke through into a one on one with Stevens and finished with a coolness that gave Basford a convincing final score line.
Basford are 9 points clear and it would have been interesting to see how the game would have played out without the early sending off if Lye had defended to the same extent I think we could have been in for a 0-0 score line.

AN ATTENTIVE CROWD WATCH SOME SECOND HALF ACTION

 That said Basford have some cracking players, not just the star names, but also within the younger players too.

The return journey was made again via bus and it had seemed a strange Saturday not to travel to a game on the rails.  But at last I had made Basford United and I have to say I enjoyed the afternoon and the visit to Greenwich Ave it will certainly be on the blogs list for a re visit soon.
Oh yes one final point the Basford website provides a cracking little bit of public transport information for visitors/hoppers, well done on the thought that has gone into that information.  Not any easy job because there are many ways and services of reaching a game here.

TODAYS END SHOT NET TRAM JUST OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF
THE GROUND