Basford United 1-0 Stafford Rangers (Northern Premier League) 20.10.20

Basford United boss Steve Chettle has praised debutant goalkeeper Jordan Pierrpont after he was instrumental in Basford United’s 1-0 win over Stafford Rangers on Tuesday night.

The former-Heanor Town ‘keeper made his first league start of the season after replacing Kieran Preston who was altogether absent and pulled off a string of fine saves before defender Stef Galinski headed home the winner 19 minutes from time.

And whilst he has admitted that his side did not play well on the night, Chettle was delighted with the victory and was quick to point out Pierpont’s contribution post-game.

“I am really happy with the win despite not being at our best. I am really pleased with the clean sheet and I am delighted for Jordan who has made his league debut tonight and he has made a great save to keep us at 1-0.

“If you look at the game overall, Stafford had more opportunities on goal and probably more shots on target than us but the scoreline is a testament to Jordan and his performance.”

In addition to Pierrpont’s inclusion, boss Chettle made two further changes from the victory against Bamber Bridge at the weekend.

Captain Matt Thornhill dropped to the bench following a recent injury concern and was replaced by Declan Dunn, whilst the returning Callum Chettle took the place of Alex Howes.

The visitors arrived at Greenwich Avenue without a win all season but looked a far cry from a team rooted to the bottom of the Northern Premier League and enjoyed a dominant spell in the opening stages.

Looking troublesome down both flanks, Stafford rued missed opportunities early on and should have gone ahead when Joe Cliffe, Joseph Kenton and Jamie Sleigh all shared good chances within 20 minutes which Pierrpont did well to thwart.

Visiting ‘keeper Lewis King remained fairly untroubled and Basford’s only chance of a lacklustre first half came five minutes before the break when Rev James failed to connect with Ryan Wilson’s dangerous corner from six yards out.

The impressive Kyle Dixon went close three minutes into the second period with a stinging effort that had King scrambling as the hosts came out much the brighter side, but neither team could add to earlier half-chances and former-Basford defender Callum Keane’s ballooned free-kick on the hour summed up a fairly dismal tie that will fail to live long in the memory of the 257 in attendance.

The best chance of the match came moments later and Pierrpont had to be at his very best to tip Muhammad Sebbeh-Njie’s volley onto the post after Keane’s cross was only half-cleared by Lewis Carr, before he again denied former-teammate Sleigh with a close-ranged save.

And his efforts were rewarded late on when Wilson’s fantastic corner was met by Galinski who stooped in-front of his marker to firmly plant his header past King for his second goal of the season and seal Basford’s third consecutive win.

“It was not a classic game, but we are here to win football matches and that is the main point of it all.” Chettle added.

“We have not played well tonight and we also had to shuffle the pack a little bit. Matt [Thornhill] has been struggling with a bit of a problem and Declan [Dunn] has gone in. Callum [son, Chettle] has also come back in.

“In the end, we have also had to put Brad [Gascoigne] to secure that final ten minutes but it worked for us.”

United’s latest win moves them up to third in the Northern Premier League and secures a second clean sheet in three games and Chettle commented on recent defensive performances after admitting his side conceded too many goals earlier in the season.

“We did not start the season well and we conceded too many goals, especially from set plays and we were under the cosh again tonight, but we defended well again tonight.

“Stef [Galinski] throws his head on things. Lewis Carr throws his head on things, as does Ryan Wilson and Dom Roma and the midfield work on hard on collecting second balls. We are a unit and collective and I am ecstatic with the clean sheet tonight.”

Basford United: Pierrpont, Roma, Wilson, Dunn, Galinski, Carr, Dixon (Gascoigne 84), Chettle, Towle (Howes 63), Richards, James (Hines 90).

Stafford Rangers: King, Williams, Keane, Coulson, Welsh (Cole 81), Harvey, Sebbeh-Njie, Sleigh (Adarabioyo 77), Cuff, Kenton.

Venue: Greenwich Avenue (257)

*Article provided by Marc Williams (Basford United Correspondent).

*Main image @Basfordutdfc Stef Galinski scores the winner for Basford.