In what was the club’s first ever first team game on Sunday the side got off to an excellent start when Stuart Hendrie capitalised on a defensive model to roll the ball home from the edge of the penalty area in the seventh minute.

Romulus responded strongly, Mark Danks put a free kick just over and Luke Keen was inches away from a cross.

Following a good ball in from Fabian Smith, Mason Rowley headed just wide and then Saul Deeney made a fine diving save from Keane as Romulus came forward.

As the play went from end to end Corey Grantham’s shot was scrambled clear after a good run by Hendrie and then Deeney was quickly off his line to clear from Keen.

As Romulus pressed, Danks’ shot was blocked, Rowley made a headed interception and Roger Lee halted Keen with a well timed tackle.

Basford started the second half brightly. Kyle Dixon broke down the left but his cross was blocked and then Smith’s corner was cleared after a scramble in the penalty area. Robbie McNicholas made a good interception as Romulus threatened to break.

On 63 minutes, Hendrie’s flick on sent Grantham clear to score after drawing keeper Raajan Gill out. As Romulus retaliated Deeney was relieved to see a teasing cross by Danks clear the post.

In the 66th minute Grantham’s shot was blocked but Hendrie pounced on the rebound to score with a rising shot from 15 yards.
Kyle Dixon then made it four after 68 minutes with a tremendous low shot from 25 yards that hit the net before the defence could move.

Grantham was at the centre of Basford’s attacks and should have made it five, rounding Gill but he could not get the ball out of his feet. Then he was inches away, heading Harry Wakefield’s cross against the bar, and then shot across goal with Hendrie unable to reach the ball.

Basford team: Deeney, Lee, Robbie McNicholas (Myron Duffy 75), Grayson, Rowley, Darkin, Griffths Junior (Pickbourne 78), Smith (Wakefield 78), Hendrie, Grantham, Dixon.
Subs not used: Wiggins-Thomas, Jake Wood.