Basford Vets came back to earn a draw and keep their unbeaten run going.

The game against Hucknall Plough was the first between the two sides for over five years. Plough gained promotion to the Premiership this season and have had some excellent results and remain in contention for the title.

Basford again had to tweak their starting eleven and started very strong taking the lead midway through the first half when good work from Rob Gill have Chris Freestone the chance from inside the box and he finished well beating the Plough keeper.
Plough kept pushing but didn’t really cause much of a problem until an unforced error gave them an opening 35 minutes gone and the score was 1-1. The come back didn’t last long when Basford scored just before half time when a flowing move ended with Tris Whitman scoring from outside the box.

The second half saw Plough gain the advantage with two quick goals in the 50 and 55th minutes, but the Basford side were left asking questions amongst themselves with the two Plough goals coming from poor defending.

Basford pushed and pushed but the time was running out, then with 10 minutes left the ball founds its way to Damion Rennicks who smashed the ball in from just inside the box. Basford could have snatched the winner late on but it wasn’t to be.

Basford vets are away in the cup next Sunday v Kirk Hallam who are also unbeaten in the league below.

An entertaining encounter between two young sides intent on playing football the right way saw Basford United Community come back from a goal down to grab all three points late on to record their first win in seven league games.

The first half saw Basford United Community dominate for long periods but Radford always looked dangerous on the counter attack. The best chance of the half fell to Basford’s Callum Leach who headed over at the far post following debutant Alex Goodall's fine cross leaving the scores level at half time.

Radford started the second half the stronger with a high tempo pressing game which started to cause problems.

Just short of the hour mark Radford made their pressure and dominance pay when a fine ball down the right hand side saw the winger race clear to square the ball across the box and Radford number 9 made no mistake from close range.

Basford responded with a double substitution and ten minutes later the leveller came from Alex Goodall following Kamani Wilson’s drilled cross.

With time ticking away Goodall raced clear down the right firing an effort across the face of goal which was met at the back post by Blake Cooke to fire home from a tight angle.
Radford threw everything at Basford for the last ten minutes but the lads stood firm and a Basford counter attack saw Kamani Wilson race clear only to be pulled back by Radford number 4 who saw red.

The points were only secure when Basford goalkeeper Luca Wagstaff pulled off an excellent save in the last minute tipping a Radford effort over the bar.

Special mention to our visitors whose league position does not reflect the football they played today, another excellent young side. The game was played in a great spirit and all stayed back after the game.
Thanks Radford!

Basford Under 18s drew with Ruddington in a game where Basford had ample opportunities to take all 3 points but unfortunately couldn’t take them.

Goals came from Luke Ward after fine play from Joshua Nwokord on the left hand side and then midway through the second half found himself on the score sheet with great finish from a tight angle.

Under 16s made it 8 wins in a row, beating last season’s Division 1 champions.

Jeremiah Ogie with all four goals.

Brilliant performance from all the boys.

Looking to build on last week’s encouraging display, the boys took the long journey to third placed Wellingborough in good spirits.

A solid looking eleven, with pace up front, took to the pitch and looked comfortable from the start, the new centre half pairing of Lleighton Rolfe and Will Laurie looked assured and full backs Niall Brown and Yomi Lowry where quick to the tackle and dangerous on the break, Niall in particular was linking up well with Ryan Bache on the left wing, who looked full of menace.

Wellingborough aren’t third for nothing and had three clear chances in the first half, the first was kept out by a great save with his legs by Alex Akers, helped out by a brilliant overhead clearance by Niall. Alex went one better with an outstanding save down to his right from close range that left the striker stunned, the same was to follow when Lleighton produced an amazing goal line clearance that showed real determination not to concede, brilliant defending.

Basford’s game plan was disrupted when striker Jerico Bonner was forced off through injury, just as he was beginning to worry their defence. We always looked strong on the break, with Ben Eames pulling the strings and Charlie Fox and Josh Timson working well in midfield.

0-0 at HT and all to play for, we had them rattled.

Unfortunately, the issue of switching off at crucial moments cost the lads again as three poor goals where conceded in quick succession, an unmarked header, a 4 on 1 break and a badly defended throw in leaving a mountain to climb.

In previous weeks the boys might have crumbled but there’s a sense that things are moving in the right direction with how they responded. Driven on by Charlies tireless running and Ollie Peates energy, coupled with a muscular display up front from Will Ellison, they were causing real problems, with Will nearly scoring from a spilled shot.

Wellingborough are by no means a dirty team, but they were getting frustrated, a nasty looking challenge on Ollie led to a booking, even worse was the two footed lunge on Charlie that led to a straight red, no need at all, to their credit, their coaching staff and parents were all as disgusted as we were.

Will E smashed in a fantastic consolation goal, the heads didn’t drop but it was too little too late as we kept on pushing.

All in all a very enjoyable match for the neutral, the Wellingborough coaching staff, who were great all day, took the time to really praise the boys for how they played and the spirit in which they did, they knew they’d been in a game and the score line flattered them a little.

There’s a good spirit building in this team, if the commitment levels can stay high and the concentration can match it, there’s a bright future for these boys.

The Trees started well, playing some good football by playing out from the back and keeping the ball well. Unfortunately the boys went 2-0 to two deflected goals, they did well to keep their heads up though.

Pressing throughout and giving it a right go. Jephte had a chance to make get a goal back but their goalkeeper saved well. Faris hit one over the bar too but it remained 2-0. Then before halftime they got two more, 4-0 at half time, Toton taking their chances but the boys really should have had a few themselves.

In the second half we started well, Marley came off the bench and made a huge impact running down the left, whipped the ball in low and Jephte tapped home to get us back in the game. 4-1. The Trees continued to press and played some great football. The Trees kept on working as a team. Tyrelle especially working hard tracking back and covering when needed. George made some fantastic saves as well to keep the score at 4-1. As we pushed in the last ten minutes we got caught out twice and it finished 6-1.

Two great teams, the score should have been much closer.

Tyrelle was man of the match. Gave 100% all game.

Well done boys, from Coach Alex & Deji.