Division One (East)
RS Basingstoke 1 Binfield 0
Saturday, 16 November 2002
A neutral would have been mystified how the visitors lost this match. On possession and territorial advantage Binfield were far superior but Basingstoke's occasional breakaways always threatened and when the sides finished the first half level after extreme Binfield pressure you had to wonder whether this would be Binfield's day. In the end two super saves from Simon Harvey kept the score in perspective as RS Basingstoke broke away but Binfield finished the game respecting the form of the home keeper Tim Hyde who was by far the busier of the two keepers.
In misty conditions that got worse as the game progressed both sides started brightly with play flowing from end to end. The home side were playing their regular long ball style and Binfield passed the ball through midfield using Day on the right and Kellaway on the left to good effect. However, coach Dave Evans must have been disappointed at the number of times possession was surrendered early on. From one of these mistakes Harvey did well to tip a good Basingstoke shot over the bar on 5 minutes. Kellaway was looking particularly sprightly combining well with Rikki Osborne. Harris was bossing midfield, snuffing out most of the Basingstoke threat and when they did punt through, Harvey gathered confidently. On 13 minutes John Smith went close for Binfield with Hyde taking the shot low and hanging on despite a slight fumble. Havermans was his usual handful for the home defence and was fouled on the edge of the box on 15 minutes. From the resultant free kick the Basingstoke keeper hurt himself keeping his goal intact but was up to save the day again a couple of minutes later from a Danny Harris shot. Jason Day was controlling most of the Basingstoke through balls and his brother Kris was becoming an increasing threat down the right combining well with Keough and Osborne who's shot was deflected wide on 23 minutes for one of 12 first half corners. Binfield failed to make their set piece advantage count. Basingstoke continued to break quickly from defence when they could and from one of these Harvey parried a strong shot and was pleased to see Ricky Hume clear well. From another corner Keough was unfortunate to see his excellent downward header hit the ground and then the bar. As the half drew to a close Binfield exerted maximum pressure with all 10 outfield players camped around the Basingstoke penalty area but the visitors lacked the stiletto required to make the break through as Basingstoke withstood their sledgehammer approach and this was epitomised by Kris Day's shot from Haverman's knock down.
Half Time 0-0
At the beginning of the second half Binfield continued where they had left off, keeping possession and testing the home keeper with shots from Day, Osborne, Smith and Kellaway. Harris was tackling well and continuing to distribute well to both flanks. Ten minutes into the second half Basingstoke took the lead. Binfield lost possession during one of there own right wing attacks and Basingstoke switched the play with a long ball to their right. There was a suspicion of offside but no flag and the home side crossed low to take the lead with a shot that Harvey got a hand to but could not keep out. Binfield almost equalised 4 minutes later, Hyde in the Basingstoke goal tipping over from a Kris Day corner which was going directly in. From the resulting corner John Smith's header flashed wide. On 65 minutes Hume exchanged with Harris who switched play to the right. Keough's cross found Haverman's head but again the ball went just wide. Binfield were still pressing and just a minute later Nick Kellaway picked up the ball in midfield beat two men and shot well but Hyde was more than equal to it in the Basingstoke goal. Binfield made a substitution with 20 minutes to go, replacing Smith with Stuart Tanfield. Kellaway moved up front and Tanfield took his place on the left wing. Basingstoke's belief that they were going to get something from the game now started to grow and they enjoyed their best spell of the match forcing Harvey into a couple of good saves including an outstanding push round the post shortly before the end.
The home side were delighted to hear the final whistle and Binfield left the pitch finding it difficult they had lost a game they had dominated so much.
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