Great Scott! Dragons thank two-goal hero (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Great Scott! Dragons thank two-goal hero

1:15pm Tuesday 28th August 2007 in

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Basingstoke Town 2, Cambridge City 1

A DOUBLE from in-form striker Scott Fitzgerald ensured that Basingstoke Town picked up their second home league win of the season.

Fitzgerald notched his fourth and fifth goals of the season in the second half at the Camrose on Saturday to cap a promising team performance and maintain his side's 100 per cent home record this term.

Town dominated much of the game, which was played in almost stifling conditions, and went ahead early in the second half, only to be pegged back by Ashley Fuller.

I thought we played better than the result suggests. If we had scored three or four, that probably would have been a fair result

Francis Vines

However, they recovered exceptionally, going straight down the other end to score what proved to be the winning goal and secure a result that pleased manager Francis Vines.

"It was a good win and we played well today," he said. "In fact, I thought we played better than the result suggests. If we had scored three or four, that probably would have been a fair result.

"I was really impressed with the first-half performance and in truth we should have been ahead at half-time.

"It was good that we also began the second half well and got the goals but not taking our chances before the break left them in the game.

"It was very hot out there today and I was pleased with the way the players coped. It shows they are looking after themselves properly."

Vines made just one change to the side that drew with Thurrock, bringing in youngster Ben Wright to replace the injured Paul Harkness up front. Centre-back Joe Dolan was once again sidelined by a hamstring pull.

Town completely dominated the first half, forcing six corners while Cambridge earned only one.

Robert Watkins headed a Matt Warner corner over the bar, Wright went close with a shot from left of the area and Fitzgerald was foiled by the City 'keeper from close range in the first 20 minutes.

Cambridge's only effort of the half saw Steve Wales force Jonty Venter to save low at his near post. Town continued to press and Fitzgerald was unlucky not to open the scoring in the 24th minute, hitting the crossbar with a volley after some great play down the right wing from Wright, who impressed throughout.

Basingstoke had a strong claim for a penalty 10 minutes later, when Fitzgerald was hauled down chasing a lost cause, but referee Will Bull waved away the protests and the teams went into half-time with the match goalless.

Town finally went ahead two minutes into the second half. Steve Laidler launched a hopeful high ball into the area, which the Cambridge 'keeper fumbled under pressure from a Jason Bristow challenge.

With the City defence claiming a foul, the ball dropped to the feet of Fitzgerald, whose shot was blocked. However, the rebound fell kindly for him and he made no mistake from close range second time around to score a goal that even Vines admitted was fortunate.

"If that had happened at the other end, I would have wanted a free-kick," he said.

"That it wasn't and the fact that Scott got two chances to put it away was lucky but you need that sometimes."

Cambridge almost mustered an instant response and it was only a great saving tackle from Bristow that prevented Josh Simpson getting a shot on goal.

The visitors drew level 10 minutes later when Town failed to respond to a quickly-taken short corner, Fuller cutting in from the right to squeeze the ball home at the near post.

"It was a shame we could not keep a clean sheet and I was disappointed with the goal because I felt that not everybody did their jobs," Vines said.

"They took a quick corner and we were still talking about what we were doing rather than getting in position."

Basingstoke's reply to this setback was instant and match winning - Ben Surey getting the better of former Town defender Joe Bruce to cross from the left for Fitzgerald to head home at the far post.

Cambridge pressed for an equaliser throughout the final 30 minutes of the match, having plenty of the ball in decent positions.

Their best chance fell to Ben Bowditch, who should have done better with a close-range free header, but Town held on to take all three points.

Basingstoke Town: Jonty Venter, Ben Townsend, Rob Watkins, Jason Bristow, Sean Hankin (sub Jamie Whisken 67min), Steve Laidler, Ben Surey, Ben Wells, Scott Fitzgerald, Ben Wright (sub James Taylor 72min), Matt Warner. Subs (not used): Dean Lodge, Tyron Smith, Carl Gibbs.
Cambridge City: Shane Herbert, Joe Bruce (sub Neil Midgley 63min), Adam Everitt, Lee Chaffey, Glen Fuff, Ben Bowditch, Steve Wales (sub Mark E-Bayer 63min), Josh Simpson, Michael Gash, Lee Roache, Ashley Fuller (sub Craig Radcliffe 87min). Subs (not used): Stuart Wall, Martin Davies.
Attendance: 493.