Nat Watson tapped in the first before Kane Richards slotted home to give the hosts a two-goal advantage at the break.

Less than five minutes after the restart the win was confirmed when Courey Grantham capitalised on a mistake in the Carlton back line to make it 3-0 and book his side’s place in the second round.

There were three changes to the Basford side that beat Bamber Bridge in their last game. Josh Law, Dom Roma and Grantham all started as Liam Bateman dropped to the bench with Brad Gascoigne and Liam Hearn not making the squad altogether.

The first chance of the game fell the way of the home side. Law burst forward from defence to get on the end of a ball into the box but he could not find a way to turn it into the bottom corner.

Up the other Tyler Blake caused the Basford defence issues and drew a good save from Kieran Preston inside the opening ten minutes and from the subsequent corner the ball fell his way but could not get it past several defenders in his way.

Basford took the lead from a set piece of their own before the 20-minute mark. Ryan Wilson’s free kick was not dealt with by the visitors and Watson was on hand to eventually get it over the line.

Both sides kept the ball well after the goal but it was Basford who came close to getting the second goal of the game. A great passing move ended with the ball at the feet of Watson but he was crowded out by several defenders and was unable to get a shot away.

Basford continued to look the better of the two sides and had another chance just after the half hour mark. Courey Grantham went on a powerful run and held off a defender before laying the ball off to Law who found Watson. This time the striker did get his shot off but it was wide of Jack Steggles’ goal.

The home side had the second goal that their football deserved on 36 minutes. Richards beat the offside trap and calmly slotted the ball past Steggles at the ‘keeper’s near post.
Richards thought he had his second and Basford’s third just minutes late. Steggles spilt the ball into the path of the forward and he tapped it home but the flag was up for offside.

Town started quickly after the restart and Blake quickly forced Preston into another good stop before Tyler Johal fizzed an effort wide of the post. It was Basford who got the next goal. A mistake from the away side at the back-left Grantham in the clear and he calmly drilled the ball into the corner of the net.

Just minutes later it was almost 4-0. Basford soaked up some pressure from the away side and broke on the counter. The ball was eventually whipped into Richards but his effort was over the bar. Town ‘keeper Steggles was then called into action to keep out Grantham and stop him getting his second of the night after he beat the offside trap.

Basford continued to keep up their continued pressure as both James Carvell and Law went close. Carvell saw his curling effort was held before defender Law’s deflected effort was turned away for a corner that came to nothing.

As the clock ticked down Carlton had a rare chance but were unable to test Preston as Oliver Clarke headed over the bar after an effort had been deflected for a corner. Basford then went looking for a fourth goal but were unable to find it as the full time whistle went to confirm the 3-0 score line.

Starting XI: 1- Preston, 2- Law, 3- Wilson (Walker), 4- Carr, 5- Roma, 6- Galinski, 7- Thornhill, 8- Thomas, 9- Grantham, 10- Watson (Goodson), 11- Richards (Carvell)

Up Next: Away vs South Shields
21/09/2019

Kick Off 3:00pm