Report: Bashley 0-5 Barwell - Southern Premier

EAR BASH-ING: Bash assistant
Gerry Murphy leads the on pitch inquest

IT never rains but it pours at Bashley Road at the moment, but Barwell were in no mood to show mercy as Jimmy Ginnelly’s men lived up to their pre-season billing as ones to watch.

After suffering the goal that wasn’t in the FA Cup at Gosport in midweek, Bashley were crushed by a five goal haul for the Canaries inside 21 first half minutes.

The hosts could have few complaints, even if they felt hard done by after Barwell’s opener that seemed to drain the life and soul from a flattened Bash outfit.

Following a tepid start, Luke Barlone’s controversial 13^th minute opener saw the visitors crank up the pressure while Frank Gray’s charges capitulated in alarming style.

Referee Stephen Finch had asked his assistant to check the pressure of the ball before Barwell took a quick throw to Scott Lower who centred for Barlone to unleash his unstoppable drive.

Bashley’s players claimed they did not have chance to organise themselves after the check, but Gray did not blame the officials at full time, rightly laying responsibility at the feet of his players who gave up the ghost.

Barlone doubled the advantage three minutes later, again sailing across his marker to drive inside the far post after Paul Spacey’s touch from Jamie Towers’ cross.

That man Barlone all too easily burst through again on 19 minutes but was halted by Bash ‘keeper Joe Prodomo who could only clear as far as veteran midfielder Richard Lavery – the former Hinckley United stalwart showed his class by lofting a 35 yard effort over the head of the retreating custodian to make it three with the pick of Barwell’s bunch of fives.

The imperious Barlone drew a point blank save from Prodomo on 24 minutes, but the fourth was not far away, good work from Towers and Barlone down the right set up Matt West to cut back in and find Prodomo’s bottom right corner.

Wave after wave of Barwell pressure just kept coming as the visitors pressed a Bashley side fraught with nerves at every opportunity. A quick throughball set up the fifth with the hopelessly exposed Prodomo bringing West down for a 34^th minute spot kick. Towers duly obliged with what proved to be the last goal.

The second half was predictably a non-event – Barwell substitute Tom Bates showed flashes of brilliance and went close after Barlone narrowly missed a presentable opening for his hat-trick – in a rare foray forward at the other end, James Stokoe struck the outside of the post for Bash.

Boss Gray admitted to the Bournemouth Echo at the final whistle that some of his squad may on their way out after this defeat, coupled with no away wins and a 6-0 home drubbing by Hemel Hempstead Town three weeks previously.

The reality is that Bash need freshening up if they are to compete this season and it would be a surprise if changes didn’t come sooner rather than later. Barwell, however, look the part in every area – their pressing game and unerring ability to make the most of the mistakes they force should send out a serious warning to their promotion rivals. They look as good on grass as they do on paper.

The latest on Bashley's FA Cup row with Gosport, including reaction to Borough refusing a rematch can be found here. 

BASHLEY: Prodomo, Smith, Finlay, Strickland, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Hill (Gamble 48), Stokoe, Oliver, Knight (Lompato-Pires 54).

Unused subs: Farren, Gazzard, Kearn (g/k).

BARWELL: Castle, Lower (Oddy 46), Edwards, G Hadland, Albrighton, Lavery, Towers, S Hadland, Barlone, West, Spacey (Bates 46).

Unused subs: McAteer, Charley, Julien (g/k).

Goals: Barlone 13, 16, Lavery 19, West 28, Towers 34(p).

STAR MAN: Luke Barlone (Barwell)

Tough choice, so many of the visitors’ players did well in what was a real team effort. Barlone takes the award for opening the floodgates and playing his part in the multitude of chances that Barwell created. His strength, the timing of his runs and his finishing were a class above and on this display it is no surprise he attracted attention from Blue Square Bet Premier club Kidderminster Harriers over the summer.