OCFC 1 - Bashley 1

High-flying Bashley headed up the A34 for their second Trophy match at CPF in the last five years and City would be hoping for an improvement on the 2-4 defeat on that day.

The visitors pressed from the outset, coming forward in numbers with some good one-touch passing, and Parnell had already had a powerful header cleared by Craker before Ryan Moss rose well to meet a cross from Morant in the 4th minute to head the ball across Wilkins and into the far corner of the net. Bashley continued to pressurise City: a good saving tackle by Avery denied Moss as he bore down on goal; and a minute later Gillespie pulled his shot only just wide of Wilkins’ far post.

City absorbed the early pressure and gradually began to get back into the game and, although Bashley still looked sharp on the break, Keeping having a shot deflected just over, the hosts generally had the better of the next half-hour. Jones was passing accurately and linking well with Spence, and Durrant and Greg Williams were both beginning to push down the flanks to good effect. Williams headed just over (picture); Lewis Craker saw a powerful header from a corner saved by Elm; a Ray Spence cross just eluded Jones; and Jones had a shot blocked by a defender after a penetrating run.

HALF-TIME City 0-1 Bashley

The second half, for much of the time, saw little to really trouble the two keepers and the game became rather nervy and physical at times with a lot of niggling offences. None of this was particularly helped by the officials who failed to communicate effectively on a number of occasions.

Andy Lyne gave Matt Glynn his debut with 20 minutes left and he showed several neat touches and a willingness to put his foot on the ball and look for options.

Moss fired high over the stand from close in for the visitors; Spence just failed to pick out Glynn at the far post with a well-judged cross; Spence couldn't quite finish after Stewart found him with a clinical pass; and Merritt headed just over from a corner. But it looked as though Moss’ early strike would be the difference between the teams until, with a minute remaining, Glynn picked out Mark Jones who fed Spence on the edge of the area, and, as on several occasions this season, Ray somehow managed to find space between the two defenders in close attendance and shot unerringly just inside Elm’s right-hand post. City almost grabbed a victory in injury time when Alex Stewart headed just over from another excellent cross from Adam Durrant.

FULL TIME: City 1-1 Bashley.
City: Wilkins, Lane, Williams G. (Glynn 72), Avery, Craker, Takriti, Durrant, Merritt, Alleyne (Stewart 79), Spence, Jones.

Reporter: Chris Byrne