Basingstoke goal-scorer Martin Whiddett in an aerial challenge for the ball against Carshalton
Pictures from the match
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Town lose their shape
Despite gaining victory against one of their bogey teams, Ernie Howe was far from happy with his Basingstoke side as they again produced a Jekyll-and-Hyde display.
Having raced into a 2-0 lead inside just 13 minutes, by playing a high tempo, slick passing game that Carshalton had no answer to, Howe's men contrived to make things difficult for themselves when they conceded shortly after half-time.
Then their early-season lack of composure showed once more and, suitably encouraged, Carshalton gave the Camrose Blues a rough ride.
"We started quite brightly, but then just panicked and let them back in it," said Howe, after he'd given his players a stern talking-to in the centre-circle when the game was over.
"It was very similar to St Albans last week, when we got the run-around. Again, a better side would have punished us."
His team got off to a superb start when, on seven minutes, Mark Peters scored at the far post with a close-range shot that bounced into the ground and over visiting goalkeeper Stuart Searle, following Jason Bristow's diagonal header.
If the first was an individual poacher's goal, the second was a wonderfully-worked team effort. A patient build-up from midfield and down the left flank, with interpassing between Neville Stamp and Lewis Cook, sent the 21-year-old winger clear.
The ex-Wycombe ace then sent over an accurate, beautifully-paced cross that Martin Whiddett rose to meet, ahead of defender Aaron Barrett, with a bullet header from seven yards.
Cook went close himself two minutes later with a right-foot volley that Searle expertly tipped over the bar just in time, while Peters, put through by Whiddett's flick-on from Rob Bullivant's goal-kick, stabbed a shot wide.
The visitors introduced Marlon Patterson and were able to push four men up to take on the Town defence.
Striker Danny Hunt brought an instinctive, strong right-hand tip-away from Bullivant, after his volley looked set to pull one back for Carshalton.
Immediately after the restart, Bullivant was in action to thwart Dan Nwanze's snap-shot and, on 52 minutes, they got their goal.
From Jay Richardson's free-kick in the inside-right position, Bradley Pritchard rose to glance home a header at the far post.
Although Peters had a great volley tipped away by Searle, Bullivant was the busier 'keeper and made a series of fine stops to keep Town ahead.
The bar rescued him and his defenders on 75 minutes when Hunt got to a through-ball first and managed a lob from the edge of the box. Covering duo Steve Hemmings and Jason Bristow could only watch the ball bounce back for Bullivant to clutch.
A minute later, Bullivant diverted Patterson's shot away with his leg and, at the end, the Town players and supporters watched in relief as Dave Richards back-heeled wide following a deep corner.
Report By Graeme Hamlett, Kindly supplied by Basingstoke Gazzette.
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