Gray: Newport set the standard (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Gray: Newport set the standard

8:00am Thursday 4th March 2010 in Football By John Boyman

FRANK Gray admitted that runaway Blue Square South leaders Newport County were simply too strong for his Basingstoke Town side.

The Welsh side were hugely impressive as they won 5-1 at the Camrose on Tuesday night, extending their lead at the top of the table to a massive 24 points.

“Newport are a very strong side and that’s why they are more than 20 points clear at the top of the table,” said Town boss Gray, pictured, after the game.

“In spells, we were not that bad but they were too strong. They showed us what the standard is if you want to win the league.”

Basingstoke played some good football at times but were simply unable to get close to their opponents, who never looked back after racing into a two-goal lead in the early stages.

A third goal soon followed, and, while Town pulled one back from the penalty spot before the break, their hopes were extinguished when Newport made it 4-1 early in the second half.

“The penalty gave us a chance at half-time,” Gray said. “The next goal was always going to be very important but we were not able to get it, which was disappointing.”

See Thursday's Gazette for a full report and pictures.