Derby spoils shared after Ansell and Munday double strikes

Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Bashley FC 2-2 Lymington Town FC

With only one point separating Bashley and Lymington Town, it was probably predictable that this Sydenhams Wessex Premier derby would finish as a draw, but it took a last-minute equaliser from Bashley's Dan Munday to claim a share of the points.

It was a match of two opposites with the size and strength of visitors Lymington dominating from corners and free-kicks, whilst Bashley fared better with the ball on the ground.

The home side attacked from the start with most of the threats coming from Hugh Dathan on the right. A well-directed Dathan cross was headed on by Munday and seemed destined for the net only to rebound back from the underside of the bar onto the goal-line.

The visitors were looking dangerous every time they broke with the best chance falling to Micky Finch, who sliced wide with the goal at his mercy.

Alert Bashley keeper Cameron Plain also saved the day with an instant reaction save to a diverted shot.

Lymington ended the half on a high when a free-kick caused mayhem in the home goal-mouth and the ball was nudged home by imposing centre back Luke Ansell.

Within ten minutes of the re-start Ansell continued his audition as a strike forward by taking advantage of Bashley’s weakness to high-balls to pounce and claim his second goal.

Bashley struck back immediately; a wicked defence splitting cross from Dan O’Sullivan was expertly twist-headed by Munday beyond the reach of Lymington keeper Nic Jones.

Belief was back and Bashley had the upper hand. Attempts by Dathan, Munday, Smith and Gould kept Jones on his toes whilst Plain and the home back-line were kept alert in defending high-balls directed to the busy Steve Flynn.

The crowd-pleasing equaliser was worth the wait. Thompson started the move with a cross- pitch pass to Smith who tamed the swopping ball, beat his defender and cut in along the by-line. He raised his head and passed back into the path of the in-rushing Munday who crashed home from 10 yards.

Honours even and smiles all round.

Bashley: Plain, Dathan, Farrugia, White, Thompson, Rolls, Smith, O’Sullivan, Munday, Gould, McGrath.

Lymington Town: Jones, Fuller, Manuel, Cross, Stephenson, Ansell, Jarvis, Finch, Flynn, Ross, Gosney.