Cleethorpes welcomed the Basford side with a guard of honour but the pleasantries ended once the game started and they asked serious questions of the Basford defence.

Kieran Fenton twice came to the rescue in the first fifteen minutes, first with a block of Curtis Batesons’ shot and then with a saving tackle on Brody Robertson. As Basford responded Liam Hearn and Matt Thornhill combined to set up Fernando Bell-Toxtle, whose shot was blocked.

Liam Hearn opened the scoring on 19 minutes. Fed by Rob Duffy’s lob, his first shot was saved by David Birch but he reacted quickly to score from close range.

Basford suffered a blow after 27 minutes, Duffy having to leave the game after falling awkwardly after leaping to head the ball, Courey Grantham taking his place.

It was fitting that Evo Stik Player of the Year Hearn scored the goal that brought up the century, turning in Grantham’s low cross on 36 minutes (photo above).

As the home side tried to find a way back into the game, Kieran Wressell pulled a shot wide, but there was no stopping Basford, Deon Meikle meeting Matt Thornhill’s corner to score with a powerful header on the stroke of half time.

Basford started the second half strongly and Hearn brought a save from Birch. Good covering by Louis Tomlinson snuffed out a Cleethorpes attack but after 61 minutes Marc Cooper reduced the arrears with a shot off the crossbar.

Hearn saw a shot blocked and on 71 minutes substitute Jonathan Oglesby brought the home side right back into the game with their second goal, fired into the corner of the net.

Basford came back, Thornhill shooting wide after being played in by Grantham, but the momentum had shifted with the goals and Colin Lewis preserved the lead with saves from Cooper and Bateson.

Harry Wakefield put a chance wide after Thornhill’s corner had caused problems and Lewis produced the save of the night diving to foil Matthew Bloomer with three minutes remaining.

Having weathered the storm, Basford finished the game the stronger, forcing a series of corners, Bell-Toxtle going close with a shot deflected behind.

This was a game that was a good advert for the Evo Stilk League and was enjoyed by the 197 present.

Basford: Lewis, Carr (Wakefield 70), Tomlinson (Austin 70), Thornhill, Duffy (Grantham 27), Roma, Nash, Fenton, Meikle, Hearn, Bell-Toxtle.
Subs not used: Grayson, Bartle.