Report: Bashley 2-1 Frome Town - Southern League Premier

BASHLEY: Opened with home win

BASHLEY battled their way to a first victory of the Frank Gray era, and while they may have been fortunate to snare all three points against Frome Town, Bash’s tenacity could not be questioned.

James Stokoe’s well taken double was enough for Gray’s charges to taste victory in a tense encounter despite Lewis Powell’s penalty putting the cat amongst the pigeons late on.

There were plenty of chances and a fair amount of needle throughout a gripping game, but Stokoe’s sharp shooting made all the difference, while his Frome counterpart Powell was wasteful in front of goal.

The visitors started well – Tom Evans’ long throws caused chaos in the Bashley backline with Powell flashing a header wide before Dean Flockton’s effort was questionably ruled out for offside.

Gray criticised his side’s defending after conceding three goals to headers at Cambridge City, and Bashley were vulnerable to the aerial threat again with new signing Ian Richardson patching up a disjointed backline – the former Totton centre half held it together though, enabling the home side to find some rhythm.

Stokoe might have been awarded a penalty a minute before his first goal, but even a free shot from 12 yards wouldn’t have been as simple to convert as Bashley’s opener – Knight whipped in a free kick from the right which Stokoe nodded into an empty net after ‘keeper Darren Chitty came out and got nowhere near the ball.

Bashley were playing some neat football, but Frome spurned more chances to score after the break – Powell’s shot was easily gathered by Kearn before Dave Evans planted a simple header wide, and they were soon made to pay as Stokoe grabbed a second, latching onto Brad Strickland’s hopeful punt forward and finishing coolly past the onrushing Chitty.

Powell again headed into the grateful arms of Kearn from six yards moments later, highlighting the difference between two well matched sides, but an error from the Bashley goalkeeper handed Town a lifeline.

Kearn came for a ball he was never going to reach with Gary Middleton nudging Matt Smith as he tried to attack the ball – Smith needed no invitation to go down and Powell converted to set up a grandstand finish. 

Frome nearly found an equaliser deep into stoppage time, but substitute Tom Colledge flashed his effort just wide with Kearn rooted to the spot.

The match exposed weaknesses for both sides that will be picked apart by stronger opposition in the Southern Premier, but the battling qualities possessed by both teams will see them take points from anyone who has an off day.

Bashley still need more quality, but Gray certainly got the best out of what he has in this match, and if they can capture more signings like Richardson, a better season may be in the offing for the men in yellow.

BASHLEY: Kearn, J Smith, Oliver, Strickland, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Hill, Stokoe, Speechley-Price, Knight.

Unused subs: Gazzard, Green, Vokes, Lompato-Pires, Prodomo (g/k).

GOALS: Stokoe 28, 66.

FROME TOWN: Chitty, Thompson (Colledge 71) Evans (Ledgister 36), Flockton, Bennett, Lapham, M Smith, Evans, Powell, Lyons (Auckland 57), Wood.

Unused subs: Bowman, Herbert.

GOAL: Powell 83(p).

STAR MAN: Ian Richardson (Bashley)

Two men in Bashley colours found themselves in the right place at the right time – Stokoe plundered two goals while Richardson diligently mopped up after some messy defending. Richardson edges it on his debut for an all-round performance that not only stopped Frome in their tracks, but steadily built confidence throughout a frail looking team.

Report: Poole Tn 2-0 Clevedon Tn - Southern League S&W

AT THE DOUBLE:
Marvin Brooks

MARVIN Brooks’ double spared Poole Town’s blushes on the opening day of the season as the off colour Dolphins overcame Clevedon Town.

With Tom Killick’s men struggling to find rhythm and arguing amongst themselves during the first half, Brooks popped up to kickstart their campaign with a bullet header from Steve Devlin’s corner ten minutes before the break.

Poole’s midfield maestro added the second on the hour from another set piece – Devlin’s flagkick found Lamin Dibba, whose header was blocked, and Brooks bombed onto the rebound, smashing the ball home on the half volley from 20 yards.

Clevedon will rue their defensive lapses on a day where their effort and endeavour ruffled a few feathers at Tatnam Road, and while the Dolphins backline remained solid, the lively visiting front pair of Adam Mahdi and Joe Flurry caused plenty of concern.

Mahdi’s fizzing drive which drifted wide was the best opening in the first half an hour and as the pressure grew for the home side, Sam Clarke had to be on his toes to cover his centre halves with vital challenges more than once.

Brooks’ goal settled a few nerves and Devlin almost added a second before half time, rattling the crossbar with a fierce free kick that his jinking run had won. Devlin again went close right on the whistle, bursting down the left and seeing his shot skim across the face of goal.

Despite leading at the interval, a few harsh words were dished out in the home dressing room and Poole were livelier after the break, but still lived dangerously at the back.

The second goal calmed the contest down, but Clevedon had their chances – the goal seemed to open up for Adi Adams, but Will Spetch blocked his shot, while substitute Reeko Best should have headed Alex Russell’s dinked cross home to pull one back, but the ball bobbled wide.

In the end, Poole showed enough quality without hitting the heights of last season – they will need to play better to justify their title favourites tag, but the sign of a good side is one that wins without the wizardry.

*Dolphins boss Tom Killick's post match thoughts with the Bournemouth Echo can be found here.

POOLE TOWN: Hutchings, Clarke, Spetch, Dibba, M Walker, Howes (Richardson 72), Burbidge, Devlin, Chudy (Price 58), Preston, Brooks (Sturgess 78).

Unused subs: O’Donnell, Beasley.

GOALS: Brooks 35, 60.

CLEVEDON TOWN: Matthews, King, Robbins, Fisher (Ricketts 58), J Walker, Murray, Russell, Adams, Flurry (Moss 73), Mahdi (Best 58), McKenna.

Unused subs: Hussain, Bell.

STAR MAN: Marvin Brooks (Poole Town)

Close call between Brooks and Devlin, but the goals edge it for the youngster – none of the Dolphins played as well as they are capable of on the day, but the midfield duo ran themselves into the ground for the cause and played a vital role in breaking the play up when Clevedon started well. 

News: Nathan Blissett signs for Kidderminster Harriers

BLISSETT: Harriers bound

STRIKER Nathan Blissett has signed for Kidderminster Harriers on a one year contract from Evostik Northern Premier League club Romulus.

The 23-year-old shone with 13 goals in his first season at Coles Lane and has been snapped up by the full time Harriers after impressing boss Steve Burr in a week long trial. 


Blissett spoke to the Romulus website about the transfer this weekend following his Harriers debut in a 3-2 defeat to Mansfield Town. The full interview and details of the transfer can be found here. 

News: Romulus sign model Keenen Meakin-Richards

PRO MODEL TO MODEL PRO:
Keenan Meakin-Richards

EVOSTIK Northern Premier League club Romulus hope to have signed a model professional ahead of the big kick-off this week, by signing a professional model.

The Roms have snapped up central midfielder Keenen Meakin-Richards in the build-up to their opening game of the season against Leek Town.

Meakin-Richards talks exclusively to theonionsack's author Andy Mitchell for the Romulus website about his modelling, football coaching with youngsters and the Roms' prospects for the season here. 

News: Winton Cricket Club deducted 50 league points

PENALISED:
Winton CC

WINTON Cricket Club have been deducted a mammoth 50 league points by the Dorset Cricket Board, plunging the Dorset Premier League newcomers towards near certain relegation. 



The sanction was passed because the club do not have two youth sides playing competitive cricket in line with the board's interpretation of it's rules.

It leaves the newly promoted club stranded at the bottom of the table. Without the deduction their fate would be in their own hands with the bottom club going down and the second bottom side facing a play-off to stay up. 

Winton have appealed the decision, arguing that they have youth teams in place and that the rules do not stipulate that they have to play competitively.

The full story with views from Winton CC's Brian Dobson and DCB's John Ridout for the Bournemouth Echo can be found here.