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Match Report by Nick Wilson, Photo by Steve Gridley
Basingstoke had to settle for a point away at Leatherhead as an entertaining game finished scoreless, despite both teams creating several chances throughout.
It’s now three straight clean sheets for a Basingstoke defence which looks rejuvenated — following the return of Scott Armsworth and James Haworth to the starting lineup, along with the loan signing of Ben Mason from Wimbledon. That defence was tested early on at Fetcham Grove, as an opening for Adam Allen required an important block from Billy Upton inside 20 seconds. ‘Stoke responded with George Reid cutting in and forcing a smart save from Tanners’ keeper Luke Williams, and 17-year-old Brody Peart was inches from his first goal for the club as he arrived late to meet a teasing cross from Brad Wilson. The game tilted Leatherhead’s way as half-time approached, Mark Scott showing great footwork to recover and tip Dave Tarpey’s lob over the bar, before Mitchell Parker’s close range header narrowly missed; one he’ll feel he should have dispatched.
As the second half got underway, a jinking run inside from Wilson led to a shot that hit the side netting, while Benedict Frempah’s header met the same result from the far post. Town were inches from finally taking the lead as Wilson’s first-time effort was headed against the post by Jake Eales and bounced back across the line, eventually retrieved by Williams before it crossed over. Upton was called upon again at the other end to make a goal-saving interception as the ball was squared across the face of Scott’s goal with the keeper drawn out wide. And as stoppage time ticked away, Ezio Touray’s free kick was deflected just off target, and Simon Dunn couldn’t generate enough power to beat Williams as space opened up on the edge of the box. The sides couldn’t be separated by the end of the ninety, as both teams went home with a hard-earned point.
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