Basford United set up Peterborough Sports tie in FA Trophy

Basford United set up a third-round tie with Peterborough Sports after they saw off Isthmian North side Felixstowe and Walton United in the FA Trophy on Saturday afternoon.
Defender Stef Galinksi heads home Basford United’s opener in their FA Trophy win over Felixstowe and Walton United at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday afternoon (CREDIT: Craig Lamont)Defender Stef Galinksi heads home Basford United’s opener in their FA Trophy win over Felixstowe and Walton United at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday afternoon (CREDIT: Craig Lamont)
Defender Stef Galinksi heads home Basford United’s opener in their FA Trophy win over Felixstowe and Walton United at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday afternoon (CREDIT: Craig Lamont)

Stef Galinski’s fourth of the season gave Steve Chettle’s men the lead at the break before Marcus Marshall’s penalty and a sublime individual effort from Callum Chettle late on ensured a trip to Cambridgeshire next weekend and a second win in four days in front of welcome fans for the first time.

“It’s been a good week for us,” manager Chettle said post-game.

“But being completely honest, I’m a bit disappointed after today’s performance with regards to what we look for in every aspect, however we move on and now we know we’ll go to Peterborough Sports next Saturday with a full week to prepare.

“Stef’s goal was much needed,” he added. “I thought we started the game sloppy and we told the players at half-time that if their standards slipped by just five per-cent teams will come and punish you and results will go against us.

“Second half we were much better. We look a bit fitter than they did all over the park but it’s in our hands to get the results done and we get another good result, another three goals scored with three different goalscorers – it’s a good day for us.”

In a forgetful opening half hour, the Suffolk side went closest to opening the scoring after 25 minutes when Lamellar Howells’ deflected effort clipped Kieran Preston’s crossbar.

But it was all Basford five minutes later when Galinski’s downward header from a textbook Ryan Wilson corner bounced into the roof of the net to ignite the hosts and set them on their way.

Kane Richards then went to close to extending the lead but was twice denied by an inspired Callum Robinson who was playing his part in keeping his side in it and the pick of his saves came when he tipped over Wilson’s stanchion-bound free-kick at full stretch moments later.

The second period began in the same vein and Marshall was inches from poking home Rev James’ delightful cross shortly after the interval and the former-Blackburn Rovers striker must’ve felt lady luck was against him when he thundered a header off Robinson’s post from Dom Roma’s high delivery.

Pressure mounted and step-4 Stowe offered little to combat the relentless forward play and things for them worsened 20 minutes from time when Samuel Nunn clumsily felled James in the area leaving Marshall to gracefully roll home the penalty to all but confirm progress.

Chettle then struck the foot of the post following a mazy run from distance and James should have added a third to compliment a fine personal showing when he rounded Robinson, but a hurried strike could only find the netting.

The visitors defended with valour but could do little to prevent a third 14 minutes from time.

Evading the tackles of two, Chettle danced his way through a stagnant rearguard and deftly poked past the onrushing Robinson for his second in as many games and seal a date with Sports of the Southern League Premier (Central) on Saturday for a place in the fourth-round.

“(first team coaches) Rob (Duffy) and Michael (Leslie) work really hard on the set-plays,” Chettle mentioned when asked about recent success from those areas.

“Both Stef and Brad (Gascoigne) have both scored from set pieces this season and Ryan’s (Wilson) deliveries are often pretty good and he could have scored again today but for a fine save.

“It’s a testament to all the staff when we score from an element of our play we work hard on.”

“The time away from football has not been ideal,” Chettle added.

“We tracked all that the players have done. They have taken units away and we gave them specific tasks to do but it never replicates a game of football.

“I thought Tuesday we were good; we looked sharp and I think, in all honestly, we played better against Rushall than we did today.

“However, two wins in a week, eight goals scored with none conceded – it’s been very positive for us.”

BASFORD UNITED: Kieran Preston, Dom Roma, Ryan Wilson (Alex Howes, 75’), Brad Gascoigne, Stef Galinski (c) (Lewis Carr 60’), Declan Dunn, James Clifton, Callum Chettle, Marcus Marshall, Kane Richards (Kyle Dixon 87’), Rev James

SUBS (not used): Owen Betts, Charlie Gatter, Niall Towle, Jordan Pierrepont (GK)

FELIXSTOWE AND WALTON UNITED: Callum Robinson, Callum Bennett, Stuart Ainsley, Noel Aitkens, Daniel Davis, Samuel Nunn, Jamal Wiggins, Jordan Matthews (c), Oliver Canfer (Miles Powell 55’), George Clarke (Henry Barley 67’), Lamellar Howell (Rhys Henry 82’)

SUBS (not used): Curtis Haynes-Brown, Gary Hammond (GK)

Cautions: Wiggins (foul 66’), Dunn (foul 84’), Matthews (foul 89’)

MATCH ATTENDANCE: 247