Report: Bashley 0-1 Newport IOW - Hampshire Snr Cup R2

FRANK TALK: Gray wants more
from his Bashley players.

FRANK Gray called on Bashley’s players to fight for their futures after crashing out of the Hampshire Senior Cup following a 1-0 home defeat to Wessex League club Newport Isle of Wight.

A match of few chances at Bashley Road was settled in Port’s favour thanks to Tom McInnes’ strike nine minutes from time. Ross Gregory’s crossfield pass was collected by Kyle Lever for McInnes to plunder the only goal of the game with a downward header from close range.

Newport had the better of the opening half an hour but Bash battled back and established a foothold in the game.

James Stokoe’s diving header drew a full stretch save from Gary Streeter before the break while the hosts were hesitant in attacking areas after the interval with Tom Hill, Josh Casey and Matt Finlay guilty of dallying and wasting openings.

The visitors weathered the storm and rallied with Mark Augustos forcing Stewart Kearn into a low save before substitute John McKee dragged a shot wide with the goal gaping.

The goal eventually came, though, with McInnes’ strike quickly followed by McKee pelting the post as Newport grabbed the victory their slightly more incisive play deserved.

It left Bash out of three cup competitions and without a goal on home soil in 449 minutes of action, prompting Gray to look for more squad reinforcements.

The Bash boss said: “We have to look at things and change it round a bit. We had a few players out but the side should still have been strong enough to win the match.

“We need a little more strength in the middle of the park as we haven’t dominated through the middle as much as we would like to. Maybe we have to sacrifice playing some football to get more strength into the side.

“The only way you get through a run like this is by working hard, there is no magic solution. The lads who we don’t feel are working as hard as they can are the ones that will have to move on.

“It is very difficult to put fight, heart and spirit into a player. Some players are more motivated than others and you have to get the lads with the right attitude. First and foremost at this level you look for a bit of desire and the football almost becomes secondary.”

BASHLEY: Kearn, Strickland, Oliver, Vokes, Middleton, Richardson, Casey, Hill, Stokoe, Gradwell (Gamble 74), Finlay (Foster 74).

Unused subs: Gazzard, Cooper.

NEWPORT IOW: Streeter, Gregory, Oatley, Butt (McKee 63), Ovnik, Fleming, Powell, J Rayner, McInnes, Lever, Augustos.

Unused subs: McDonaghy, D Rayner, Simpkins.

Goal: McInnes 81.

STAR MAN: John McKee (Newport IOW)

Newport were a solid and workmanlike side, but this was a poor match with little quality until an inspired substitution did enough to gradually prize Bashley’s defence open. McKee offered pace in wide areas which proved decisive. The winger may have shown better quality on the ball at times but his impact was enough to make the difference.