Bashley 1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0

21 April 2025

So here’s a surprise for you all – and indeed something of a surprise to me too – Content Adviser and I made a last-minute decision to take in a game from the Southern League.  Do we need a reason?  If so, it was to see Mitch; but it’s football, right?

A hard-fought triumph for the Bash, and a defeat which probably puts paid to Bemerton’s chances of reaching the playoffs (although an unlikely set of results on the final day could still work in their favour).  Anyone more familiar with Step 5 would immediately be struck by the increased strength and physicality at this level – not excessive, but determined and forceful… and nobody had told Bash that there was nothing to play for.  It was, as the saying goes, a game of two halves: in the first half, Bashley largely dominated territory and meaningful possession, while conceding a couple of decent chances, whereas in the second that was reversed (meaning that fans spent most of the afternoon looking the same way).  The difference, in the end, was one headed goal from captain Walker after a set piece was cleared and recycled, on 20 minutes.  Whiteley had already whistled a shot wide for Bashley, and Bungay had also had a couple of attempts on target… but it was one of those days when the progressive football was breaking down with the final pass.  Harlequins grew into the game towards half-time and did threaten an equaliser – a great run from ex-Badger Yang, brought down on the edge of the box but advantage played, Burden should surely have scored from about 8 yards but Mack Allen made a very fine save.   Within three minutes, same again – a sharp break, great lung-bursting run from Joe Smith, cut inside his defender but again Allen to the rescue.  HT 1-0

Try as they might – and they did try – those two saves late in the first half were the closest that the Harlequins came to getting something from the game.  The second half was a tale of overhit crosses, solid defending, tireless running from Bungay and a lot of frustration (voiced noisily and often) from the Bashley management team!  48 minutes: keeper Clark dallied over a clearance, closed down by Bungay – the striker charged the ball down but it flew wide.  Most of the action was at the other end, but Allen was able to claim most things pretty comfortably, including an excellent low claim from a Balmer free kick; and shortly after, just before the hour, sub Clancy found himself clear on the left – somewhat fortuitously after a couple of deflections – but his shot was wild and high.  Midway through the half, another Bemerton corner, this time a misunderstanding and a break for the hosts, superbly halted by Panesar-Dower who ran maybe 60 yards to get back.  73 minutes – possible turning point?  Dunesby-Bent sent off for a second yellow, and despite the fierce protestations of the nearby Bashley bench it was an obvious booking… and it’s the second time in two visits we have seen Bash reduced to ten men… but this time, it didn’t cost them.  For all that Harlequins were finding the space, and despite Yang’s increasing influence on the game, the closest they came was a Clancy shot deflected just over the bar.  Indeed, the hosts might have grabbed a second with a couple of minutes to go when Jamie Power, energy-packed all afternoon, won the ball high up the pitch, beat his man but his cross-shot turned out to be neither.  Six minutes added, but the leveller never looked likely, and sure enough it didn’t come FT 1-0

Was it deserved?  On balance, I thought a draw would have been a fair result but – as I have been known to say before – one team scored a goal, the other didn’t, and that’s what counts.  It was great to see Mitch, even playing in the back four, and there were quite a few other ex-Badgers out there too (delighted to see Seuny, was always going to be a player that boy).  Top marks to Scott Bungay who ran himself into the ground, chasing lost causes, and well done to Bashley on seeing it through.  Next up, playoff semifinal at Stoneham Lane tomorrow night…