Bashley score twice against high-flying Winchester City

Pre-season friendly

Bashley FC 2

Winchester City FC 6

BASHLEY got some much-needed minutes into the legs in their penultimate pre-season match in a hard-fought defeat to Winchester City, who play in the league above.

Bashley’s goals came from Brett Williams and Conor Whiteley, familiar faces who wore gold and black last season.

Playing at home, Bashley kicked off this year’s Dave Jose Memorial match at the Veho Community Stadium.

Winchester City made the best of starts, immediately seizing the ball and probing the Bashley area.

After a few measured jabs, they landed a solid blow after 10 minutes, taking the lead before doubling the tally five minutes later from the penalty spot.

Bashley began to find their feet, almost scoring with a well-taken free-kick before nearly hooking home a scrambled effort.

Despite the improvements from the hosts, Winchester bagged a third before the referee awarded a penalty, which Williams buried to pull one back.

Rather than sparking a revival, Winchester added two more before the break to effectively end the match as a contest.

Bashley came out determined to put in a better showing after the break, and they did just that.

With five minutes played, more tired defending allowed Whiteley the chance to test his mettle from 12 yards, and he made no mistake, making the net bulge with Bashley’s second goal.

Although Winchester added another goal in the 81st minute, Bashley sculpted multiple chances against their superior visitors, and they will have left with their heads held high.

Bashley contest their first league game at home against Falmouth Town AFC on Saturday, 10th August, at 3pm.

Bashley: R. Casey, J. Webber, S. Walker, R. Flooks, J. Bertie, L. Waterfield, L. Ross, L. Delaney, C. Whiteley, B. Williams, H. Bertrand. Subs: N. Prestell, C. Wooding, S. Bungay, G. Ashby, J. Arnola, E. Dual Merritt, L. McFarlane, T. Beasley, L. Goad.