Home   Sport   Article

Match report: 10-man Bashley FC seal 2-0 Southern League Division One South victory over Westbury United FC despite dodgy red card for Stephen Walker




Bashley picked up a thrilling victory, overcoming Westbury United 2-0 at home on Saturday despite playing with 10 players for around an hour after a controversial red card.

Bashley skipper Stephen Walker and Westbury’s Joe Beardwell contested a 50-50 near the centre circle, with the no-nonsense defender’s robust but fair challenge earning a dismissal. After the match, it emerged that Bashley would appeal the decision with video evidence.

Bashley captain Steve Walker (left) scored a late leveller (File picture: Jenny Short)
Bashley captain Steve Walker (left) scored a late leveller (File picture: Jenny Short)

However, despite the numerical handicap, Bashley, who led through Lewis Waterfield, would score a second goal thanks to Kyran Samadi to seal the win with nine minutes left.

Bashley entered the match desperately needing a result after failing to register a win since late November, while the in-form visitors had only lost once in seven.

“We’ve had a lot of bad luck recently,” said Bashley manager Dave Lewis. “We started the game really well, going one up, but when Steve [Walker] got sent off around 35 minutes, I thought ‘Here we go again!’.

“Walker is such a competitive guy, and he has to take some responsibility, but it seems as if he’s treated differently from other players. Eight out of 10 referees come to the match, see he’s playing, and obsess over him – he doesn’t stand a chance.”

Bashley were without strikers Scott Bungay – who was on trial at Stoke City – and the injured Conor Whiteley, while midfielder Luke Delaney left the club to join relegation-threatened Downton. However, young Toby Bailey sat on the bench after returning after a spell with Brockenhurst and other clubs.

Lewis continued: “It was never a sending-off; even the assessor, observing the referee, said he didn’t even think it was a foul, but it is what it is.

“We’ve had to play with 10 men three times this season, and each time they have drawn or won, so the lads’ determination is tremendous.

“Our keeper Mack Allan didn’t have a save to make, and I don’t remember Westbury having a single shot, so the lads did brilliantly. The confidence is growing.

“It was getting a little nervy without the second goal, but I wasn’t surprised to see them do what they did because they have deserved more points than they got this season.

“We’ve had some bad luck with injuries, but we’re starting to get the players back now. Players like [Mitchell] Speechley-Price, who played his first game in two months or so, and he’s a massive player, and others, too.”

Bashley made a bright start in the opening five minutes, bossing the midfield and creating chances. They should have had a penalty when Jordan Chiedozie, the son of former Tottenham Hotspur player John Chiedozie, was brought down as he cut in from the right. However, referee Liam White was not interested.

The opening goal came after good work from Speechley-Price, whose ball into the danger area found Kyran Samadi, who made no mistake.

Then came the red card incident. The Bashley skipper slid into a one-footed challenge and won the ball. However, Beardwell went down with a shriek, and the Westbury players crowded referee Liam White. After thinking, he pulled the red card out of his pocket.

Speechley-Price dropped back into the defence, looking like a carbon copy of the skipper, although a little shorter.

Bashley, clearly fired up by what they considered an injustice, continued to dictate play.

Chiedozie was enjoying his best game yet for Bash, and twice in quick succession. He almost set up the second goal, which would surely have settled it.

Jamie Arnold came off the bench and immediately made his mark. His cross was not dealt with properly, and Waterfield pounced on the loose ball to smack it through the crowd into the net to settle the match.

Bashley will travel over 100 miles to face Tavistock on Saturday at 3pm.

Bashley: M. Allan, T. Edmondson, S. Walker, L. Waterfield, K. Samadi, J. Chiedozie, C. Baughan, L. Ross, M. Speechley-Price, L. Holmes, D. Walster. Subs: C. Wooding, T. Bailey, B. Williams, J. Arnold, J. Webber.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More