BASFORD BOOK QUARTER FINAL SPOT

BASFORD UTD 3 KIDSGROVE ATH 0
INTEGRO EVOSTIK LEAGUE CUP @ GREENWICH AVE
29 JANUARY 2018 --- 7.45PM

BASFORD UNITED FC

A silky performance from Evostik League 1 South leaders Basford Utd booked the first place in the quarter finals of the League Cup after a night of quality football on the impressive 4g surface that also saw Kidsgrove join in with some good football too.
Monday night football is not always on the blogs cards but with the kind offer of a return lift from fellow blogger Bob L Hatt it was all systems go and with a pre match meal at the Bobbers Mill Macs, probably one of the best restaurants in the chain, the diet would have to wait for another day.

THE BUSINESS END AT GREENWICH AVE

The dark streets towards the ground saw a warm welcome on the turnstile and once inside there was still the usual community activity taking place on the pitch so after a few circuits there was time to re acquaint with many fellow hoppers and at least 2 other bloggers Mr Waite from the Retford Parish and Bob L Hatt from the Belper Diocese.  Burnley Dave, formerly Glapwell flag man, was there as was Mr Storer a paid up member of tonight's Parish who provides an excellent round up of the local non league alongside advance fixtures so it was as ever good to catch up alongside this a quick follow up meet with Alan from the Ilkeston Parish too.  The final attendance of just 114 is disappointing for a club that are at present riding high in many competitions and without a good collection of hoppers and interested visitors the crowd would have been around the 70 mark.  It does, as ever, beg the question 'what do the local public want' especially with the standard of football Basford Utd are putting on show, as previously blogged under the excellent guidance of Chairman Chris Munroe.

BUSINESS END PART 2

Tonight's encounter would be a quick re visit following the Corby game between the Christmas and New Year holiday period so it isn't really the time to review a ground descriptor except to say they are still watering the pitch!  Having purchased an admirable programme that also covered the Community sides game on Saturday, plus raffle there was time for a soft drink before catching up with tonight's referee Gareth Davis.

REFEREE DAVIS POINTS TO THE EXACT SPOT FOR THE FREE KICK

Gareth's a personable young man who represents his profession well and who I first made acquaintances with in The Central Midlands Football League and who it has to be noted has progressed well and during this evenings pacey encounter put in some mighty sprints to noticeably keep up with play.  Tonight he was assisted by Lauren Holt and Melissa Burgin and all three officials had creditable performances that helped this entertaining match.

BASFORD PRE MATCH WARM UP

The high energy started early on with Courey Grantham forcing Dave Parton in the visitors goal into a smart save moments later a beautiful move set Fernando Bell-Toxtle away but his shot struck the base of the post.  Not to be outdone Kidsgrove striker Lee Cropper struck the post as the visitors looked to get a foothold in the game.

KIDSGROVE KEEPER PARTON VIEWS THE GAME

It was Basford who deservedly took the lead on 27 minutes when Grantham was upended in the penalty box and James Reid converted with Parton very close to getting a save in but the ball was well struck and nestling in the back of the net.  On the stroke of half time Grantham who was proving a constant threat and was felled just a yard outside the box, again a good judgement by referee Davis whose pace had kept him up with play, and Mathew Thornhill saw his superbly struck free kick excellently saved by Parton.  An action packed first half amazingly had seen Basford only score one goal and Kidsgrove consequently were well in this tie.

BACK OF THE NET

Grantham was on fire and he set up Aidan Austin early in the second period but again in this game the post come to the rescue, shots were raining in now on the visitors goal but with defensive blocks and keeper Parton in fine form it remained a close game in score line terms.  But some light was put between the two sides on 74 minutes when Reid saw his corner sweetly met by the head of Kieran Fenton and then just three minutes later Liam Hearn tapped in at the back post to make it 3-0.

THE FOUNTAINS OF BASFORD GOING STRONG

A comfortable victory really for Basford but along the way it has to be said Kidsgrove put up a good footballing performance but at present Basford are a joy to watch with pace, free flowing football and when needed dogged determination.  This performance put out of the home sides mind the long undefeated run that had come to an end at Stamford last Saturday and hopefully the standard of football seen tonight can remain for the regulars to enjoy to the end of the season.
Thanks to Bob L for the return to Alfreton for the final bus back to base with an arrival around 11pm on an increasingly cold evening warmed by a good footballing night out.