Southern League Division One (South) football: Battling Bash crushed by late Cribbs winner
Southern League Division One (South)
Cribbs FC 1
Bashley FC 0
THERE was late heartbreak for Bashley, suffering only their second League defeat of the season when Cribbs stole an 88th-minute winner.
With the usual strong breeze coming in from the nearby Bristol Channel, it would never be a classic, but each team had dominating spells, and a draw would have been a fairer result.
Bashley, still with an aggravating injury list, also missed the influential Steve Walker, who was out through suspension.
Dan Walster proved an able deputy defensively, but Bash missed their skipper’s organisational skills and absolute domination of the penalty area.
A lively end-to-end first half – where Bash had the wind at their backs – ended goalless, but it was not due to lack of chances at either end.
Bash quickly made their mark, a fine move ending with Conor Whiteley’s shot clipping the crossbar and going over.
Lewis Ross had a header on target, but it lacked power, and keeper Ky Johnson saved comfortably.
Towards half-time, Bashley got moving again and had a string of chances.
Delaney’s shot from a free kick was saved, as was a stinger by Holmes, which brought a terrific tip-over save from Johnson.
However, it was not all Bash, and Cribbs mounted a string of dangerous raids later in the half, forcing Mack Allan into making a couple of routine saves.
AFC Bournemouth loanee Allan had to receive physio treatment after a brave stop – but he could do nothing to keep out the winning goal just two minutes from the end. Newcomer Spike Weaver turned neatly inside the box and fired in his first goal for the club.
Bash tried to retrieve the situation, but Cribbs kept the door closed to send Dave Lewis’s men home empty-handed.
Bashley returns to the Veho Community Stadium on Saturday for a date with Evesham at 3pm.
Bashley: M. Allan, H. Bertrand, S. Gadsby, D. Walster, C. Wooding, L. Waterfield, B. Williams, C. Whiteley, L. Holmes, L. Ross, L. Delaney. Subs: C. Wagstaffe, G. Ashby, A. Chipangura, L. Goad, J. Arnold.