BASINGSTOKE Town’s title hopes were dealt a major blow by struggling Bishop’s Stortford at The Soccer AM Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts were frustrated by Stortford, who defended deep and counter-attacked well to pick up three vital points in their battle against relegation.
Town enjoyed plenty of possession and territory but their decision making and execution in the final third left plenty to be desired, with good opportunities spurned due to either poor finishing or misplaced passes.
Basingstoke manager Jason Bristow picked the same starting 11 that had won 3-0 at Maidenhead four days earlier, but there were two changes on the bench. Manny Williams was fit enough to play some part, while Nicholas Bignall, who re-signed for the club on Friday, replaced Pat Cox, who has left the club.
In the early stages, things pretty much went to plan for the hosts. Shaun McAuley tested Stortford goalkeeper Jake Larkins with a shot from the edge of the area in the first minute, while Liam Enver-Marum should have put them ahead soon after.
A mistake at the back left the striker through with just Larkins to beat. The goalkeeper did well to close him down quickly, but Enver-Marum will probably feel he should have scored, his effort hitting Larkins’ chest.
More chances followed, with Louie Soares’ shot well blocked and Enver-Marum unable to beat Larkins with a difficult headed chance, but the game then became more scrappy, with the visitors able to get a foothold.
Stortford caused problems down their right flank, getting in behind Tom Bird, and it was from an attack down this side that they took the lead on 22 minutes.
Full-back Ashley Miller looked offside as he received the ball on the right side of the area, but the flag didn’t go up. He was able to tee up Greg Pearson at the back post, with the ex-Burton Albion striker volleying home to mark his first game back at Stortford.
The visitors almost grabbed a second six minutes later, George Allen heading a corner wide as Town struggled to find their passing rhythm.
They improved as the half came to an end though. An excellent pass from James Harper had Enver-Marum in behind the defence, but the angle was against him and he was unable to get a shot away before he was tackled.
The striker had another half-chance, meeting Nathan Smart’s cross at the near post, but he was at full stretch and couldn’t redirect the ball on target, while Larkins made comfortable saves to deny both Bird and Soares as the half drew to a close.
The visitors had the first opportunity of the second half, Rickie Hayles heading over from a corner, but Soares should have levelled the game just before the hour mark.
Enver-Marum took a throw quickly and his clever touch put Soares in space inside the area. He had time to pick his spot, but blasted wastefully over the crossbar.
Stortford nearly doubled their lead soon after. Stuart Moore seemed to take his eye off Joe Tabiri’s hopeful shot from 25 yards, almost fumbling it into his own net, but he recovered to tip the ball around the post and made a decent save from Anthony Church’s near-post flick from the resulting corner.
Bristow responded with a double substitution, switching from a 3-5-2 system to a midfield diamond, but the pattern of the game remained the same.
Flood was next to go close from the hosts, latching on to Bird’s long clearance. Larkins was in no-man’s land, but Flood scuffed his shot well wide.
Frankie Merrifield fired over the bar as Stortford continued to threaten on the break, while at the other end Manny Williams failed to make the most of a good Bird cross, heading over the crossbar.
Bristow played his final card 13 minutes from time, throwing striker Bignall on for defender Rob Dickie, with the change almost bearing instant fruit, Larkins doing well to keep out Simon Dunn’s shot.
The hosts had a big shout for a penalty turned down when Adam Bailey-Dennis appeared to handle Williams’ low centre, but it would have been a harsh spot-kick to award.
Town’s problems were exacerbated with eight minutes to go, when Smart, who had been booked after tangling with Pearson in the first half, picked up a second yellow card for hauling down the striker just outside the Town area.
Despite being down to 10 men, Town continued to lay siege to the Stortford area, but they couldn’t find a way through. Larkins was able to deny Flood, recovering well after flapping at a free-kick, while Williams was unable to get over his header from a corner as time ran out.
Despite the defeat, Town remain fourth in the Vanarama Conference South table, but they are now six points behind leaders Boreham Wood, though they have two games in hand on the table-toppers. More importantly, they are four points behind second-placed Bromley, having played a game more.
Click here to watch a post-match interview with Basingstoke Town manager Jason Bristow
PLAYER RATINGS
Stuart Moore – 6 (out of 10)
Didn’t have much to do in terms of shots to save and narrowly avoided being embarrassed when he fumbled Tabiri’s effort. Not always comfortable under the high ball.
Nathan Smart – 6
Up against a difficult opponent in Bobby Joe Taylor, but he managed to keep the winger pretty quiet and get forward himself. Unlucky to be booked in the first half but got caught on the wrong side of Pearson for his second yellow.
Tom Bird – 6
Not his best game. Found it hard to deal with Stortford winger Sheldon Sellears, who was able to get behind him a bit too often.
Robbie Rice – 7
Another solid performance. Really unfortunate not to be guaranteed a place in the side.
Rob Dickie – 6
A difficult afternoon for the Reading loanee, who got caught out of position trying to run the ball out of defence on several occasions and didn’t provide much in the way of cover for Bird.
David Ray – 7
For the most part, managed to deal pretty well with the experienced Pearson.
Louie Soares – 6
A quiet game and fluffed his lines when presented with a great chance to level the scores.
Shaun McAuley – 6
Worked hard, but unable to have much of an impact on the game. Lucky to remain on the pitch after kicking out at Allen in the first half.
Liam Enver-Marum – 6
Really should have scored in the early stages. Caught offside far too often.
Chris Flood – 6
Another quiet game for the striker.
James Harper – 8 (Gazette Star Man)
Comfortably Town’s best player on the day. Always available to receive the ball, rarely conceded possession and played some fantastic passes.
SUBSTITUTES
Simon Dunn (for McAuley 64min) – 7
Lively and energetic when he came on. Must be pushing for a place in the side.
Manny Williams (for Rice 64min) – 6
Got a bit lost in Town’s four-man forward line towards the end of the game. Will feel he should have tested the goalkeeper with a big headed chance.
Nicholas Bignall (for Dickie 77min) - 6
Unable to make any sort of impact as Town struggled for cohesion in the closing stages.
Subs (not used): Jenkinson, Macklin
Bishop’s Stortford: Larkins, Miller, Hayles, Tabiri, Bailey-Dennis, Allen, Sellears, Church, Pearson (sub Simmonds 84min), Merrifield, Taylor
Subs (not used): Walker, Nicolau, Randell, Rachoni De Lima
Attendance: 679
Related Links
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here