HAVING been wasteful in front of goal three days earlier, Basingstoke Town took their chances to claim an important win over Bath City at The Soccer AM Stadium last night.

Rob Dickie, Liam Enver-Marum and Lloyd Macklin all found the net to earn three points that lifted Jason Bristow’s team back up to third in the Vanarama Conference South.

Bath fought hard and never gave up, despite travelling to Yorkshire and playing extra-time in the FA Trophy at the weekend, but Town were worth their victory.

Bristow shuffled his pack, making three changes to the side that had been held to a goalless draw by Concord Rangers three days earlier, and all three replacements made their mark on the game.

Robbie Rice had a really good game at right-back, supporting attacks and making some good blocks, while Simon Dunn’s energy enlivened the midfield.

However, the star of the show was Macklin. It was a brave move from Bristow to leave top-scorer Chris Flood out, but Macklin more than proved his worth, working hard, causing problems with his pace and taking his goal really well.

The opening stages of the game were scrappy, with neither side able to get on top. Bath seemed to be first to the loose balls and had more possession, but they spent a lot of time playing in front of Town.

The first real opening fell to Rice on 17 minutes, Jason Mellor having to dive full-length to keep out his volley from just inside the area.

Then, Enver-Marum nearly managed to get on the end of a poor back-pass, but Mellor did well to make a vital challenge.

Bath threatened when Dan Bowman found himself in space at the far post, but his touch wasn’t the best and Town were able to smother the chance.

Basingstoke’s passing improved as the half went on and when some good play led to a corner, they were rewarded with the opening goal. Bird’s ball in found Dickie at the far post and he marked his 19th birthday by squeezing a header between Mellor and the post to score his first goal for the club.

Macklin almost created a second with an excellent cross that Manny Williams could only divert into the side-netting, but his persistence paid off on 39 minutes. Having robbed a defender, the striker was hauled down just outside the area, with Enver-Marum curling the resulting free-kick beyond a static Mellor and into the far corner.

The same player almost made it three in injury-time at the end of the half, good defending preventing him from getting a shot away as he raced on to Dunn’s ball forward.

The hosts made a really positive start to the second half, but were unable to create any clear chances, and Bath managed to fight their way back into the game.

The impressive Bowman forced Stuart Moore into a good low save, while the goalkeeper was called into action again, this time keeping out Frankie Artus’ effort from distance.

The visitors pulled a goal back on 55 minutes, former Town striker David Pratt flicking the ball beyond Moore after the ball dropped to him on the edge of the six-yard box, but Town’s reply was instantaneous.

Less than a minute had passed before they made it 3-1, Macklin latching David Ray’s clearance, using his pace to work space for a shot and firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

Louie Soares could have added a fourth, curling a shot well over having cut in from the right, while Ross Stearn missed a good chance for Bath, firing way over from 10 yards.

Williams also saw a shot whistle past the post, but as the game went on, Bath began to dominate possession and territory. They were unable to create any real chances though, and Town defended well, making good blocks and challenges.

The hosts nearly added a fourth in stoppage-time, Enver-Marum’s low cross rebounding off the goalkeeper and a defender before hitting the post.

Instead, it was Bath who had the last word, Andy Watkins firing home after excellent work from fellow substitute Nick McCootie, who beat several defenders before squaring to give Watkins an easy finish.

Basingstoke Town's goals

Video courtesy of BTFCTV/YouTube

Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow

PLAYER RATINGS

Stuart Moore – 7 (out of 10)

Didn’t have an awful lot to do, but made the saves he needed to make with the minimum amount of fuss.

Robbie Rice – 8

Posed some real problems going forward in the first half. Less attacking after the break, but made some important blocks.

Tom Bird – 7

Defended well but struggled to get forward.

James Harper – 7

Another solid game. Keeps Town ticking over in possession.

Rob Dickie – 8

Marked his birthday with a well-taken goal and carried out his defensive duties with little fuss.

David Ray – 7

Another evening where he ended up with a bandage around his head after taking a blow to the head. Kept putting his body on the line though.

Louie Soares – 7

Showed some clever touches but fluffed his lines having done really well to set himself up for a shot at goal.

Simon Dunn – 7

Gave the ball away more often than he would have liked, but his energy made sure Town kept the tempo high.

Liam Enver-Marum – 8

A good display. Worked hard off the ball, chasing down lost causes, and found the net with an expertly-taken free-kick.

Lloyd Macklin – 9 (Gazette Star Man)

Showed that he’s more than capable of starting games. His pace had the Bath defence worried, while he won the free-kick that led to the second goal and showed his quality with an excellent goal.

Manny Williams – 7

Looked a bit under the weather but showed some good touches, linking up well with Dunn.

SUBSTITUTES

Andrew Jenkinson (for Macklin 67min) – 7

Helped to kill the game in the closing stages.

Nathan Smart (for Soares 79min) – 7

Played as a wing-back when Town switched formations late on.

Nicholas Bignall (for Williams 79min) – 6

Looked a bit rusty but didn’t really get enough time to shine.

Subs (not used): Flood, McAuley

Bath City: Mellor, Simpson (sub McCootie 81min), Bowman, Gallinagh, Walsh, Ball, Stearn, Adelsbury, Pratt (sub Watkins 73min), Kington, Artus

Subs (not used): Hemmings, Keary, Allen

Attendance: 466

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