Warner Closing Down
Taken by - Daryl Basingstoke Town Football Club Photographer
Pictures from the match
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Resurgent Basingstoke Town have a real chance of avoiding automatic relegation after their crucial one-nil win over Bishops Stortford on Bank Holiday Monday.
Veteran striker James Taylor was again the hero of the hour, scoring the vital goal in the 55th minute.
Following the win at Cambridge, it gave Basingstoke back-to-back wins (for the first time this season) over the Easter weekend, and ended a 460-minute goal drought at The Camrose.
It was also a fitting result on the occasion of local legend Jason Bristows 300th first team starting appearance.
Manager Francis Vines made two changes from Saturdays Cambridge game, benching Luke Townsend on the left flank in favour of the talismanic Matt Warner, and also finally benching striker Cristian Levis, who had proved ineffective and looked disinterested for the most part down the right flank, in favour of Dean Lodge
High-flying Bishops Stortford, lying third in the table prior to the game, rested a few first-team regulars from Saturdays four-three win over Dorchester.
In so doing, they clearly underestimated Basingstoke who, with Lodge and Warner providing width and penetration down both flanks, and playmaker Anthony Storey bossing the game in the middle of the park, played better than at any point this season.
Basingstoke started the game brightly, creating a number of chances.
Warner headed over the bar from a David Ray cross, while Storey, Ben Surey and Warner all had good shots from range.
Warner then drove the ball narrowly wide when released by a Taylor flick on, and Taylor himself went close with an overhead kick and also saw another shot blocked.
Lodge also saw a shot flash just past the post after a good move.
Meanwhile, at the other end, goalkeeper Stuart Searle had to tip a deflected effort from Ryan Lockett around the post.
The second half was delayed after referee Stephen Child picked up a calf injury, but a replacement official was eventually found.
After the restart, Basingstoke continued to dominate and they finally got their reward in the 55th minute when the Bishops Stortford defence failed to clear a Surey header into the box, allowing Taylor to volley home for 10 yards.
It was Taylors 17th league goal of the season and 19th in all.
Bishops Stortford briefly threatened to get back to the game, but Basingstoke, who so often defended too deep and eventually conceded an equaliser this term, stuck to their guns and did most of their defending in the opposition half until the final whistle, which was celebrated as if Basingstoke had won a Cup final.
Basingstoke now travel to Weston-super-Mare on Saturday with renewed hopes.
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