No Cup Upset As Basford Win Comfortably

Photo by Basford United.

It's very rare over the course of the season, especially this far into a campaign, that you get what is essentially a 'free hit', an opportunity to go out and play a game under no real pressure and with little to no expectation. However that's exactly what Ollerton Town had on Tuesday evening when they travelled to Evo-Stik Premier side Basford United for a Notts Senior Cup quarter final knowing that all in attendance were expecting a comfortable victory for the home side.
In the end, there was to be no heroic upset as despite a more-than valiant effort from Dave Winter's men, Basford hit six without reply including three goals in ten first-half minutes which ultimately killed the game off before the interval.
Ollerton started the game brightly and were making life difficult for their higher-league opponents. The first chance of the game arrived in the 16th minute when experienced forward Liam Hearn found room inside the area but his shot was easily saved by 'keeper Phil McGann.
Basford were continuing to find it hard to break down Ollerton's defence but in the 23rd minute they took the lead. The home side were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out and left back James Reid stepped up to whip a stunning effort over the wall and into the top corner.
Despite suffering this set back, Ollerton kept their heads up and almost responded instantly. Good play resulted in Lewis Price finding room on the right of the area and when he fizzed the ball across the face of goal, only a last-ditch tackle prevented birthday boy Sam Stretton tapping in at the far post.
With ten minutes to go in the first half, Basford would double their advantage and start a ten-minute spell that put them firmly in control of the tie.
Their second arrived when a deep free kick into the area fell kindly for proven-marksman Nat Watson seven yards out and he had the simple task of finishing past McGann.
Three minutes later and it was 3-0. A driven cross from the left of the area found the outstretched foot of Hearn and he was able to direct the ball past McGann.
In the 43rd minute the hosts were home and dry as they got a fourth. A quick passing move ended in a ball across the face of goal which Zak Goodson easily converted.
Half time arrived at the perfect opportunity for Ollerton as they were able to get a breather and take stock of proceedings. The lads never let their heads drop and continued to work hard and in the 50th minute, they almost got some reward.
A neat pass through the Basford defence put Gav King through on goal and it looked for a second like the NCEL Division One's top 'scorer had rounded 'keeper Saul Deeney however the former Burton Albion stopper managed to get a hand on the ball and force a corner.
Watson and Hearn both then wasted opportunities to extend Basford's advantage, Watson being denied by a superb save from McGann, but in the 56th minute, the current Senior Cup holders did get a fifth.
After another free kick was awarded in a dangerous position, Ollerton were fearful of James Reid repeating his earlier exploits however this time he saw his shot saved by McGann only for it to fortuitously spin out into the path of Victor Lusako who tapped into an empty net.
Before the hour mark was here, Basford would have their sixth. Zak Goodson was put through up against veteran defender Chris Timons, who impressed on his full debut for Ollerton, and Goodson skipped past the centre half before giving McGann the eyes and rolling the ball into the bottom corner.
That was to be the end of the scoring though with fifteen minutes to go, Lusako did see his shot tipped onto the post by McGann after the ball had rolled kindly for the Basford substitute.
Alex Sennett made a brilliant and crucial tackle inside the area in the 84th minute to deny the hosts another goalscoring opportunity whilst at the other end, Ollerton unlocked the home defence with a brilliant passing move but Sean Dickinson was denied by the linesman's flag after being slipped through on goal.
In the end, the margin of victory was what many expected prior to kick off, especially given the strong eleven fielded by Basford. Despite the scoreline, Ollerton can be proud of their efforts and with the game now out of the way, their attention will be solely on their remaining league games as they look to finish as high as possible in the NCEL Division One.