Match report by Jacob Wilkinson, photo by Steve Gridley
Basingstoke Town beat strugglers Merstham 3-1 on Saturday, to win their 10th game in 11 matches and go four points clear of both Walton & Hersham and Northwood at the top of the table.
‘Stoke made their attacking intentions clear right at the start of the game, as top scorer Brad Wilson had a hooked effort cleared off the line by Merstham centre-back Luke Read, just minutes after kick-off. With possession mostly retained by the home side in the early stages, it wasn’t long before the league leaders did manage to put the ball in the back of the net.
Wilson received a lofted pass from captain Simon Dunn wide on the left-hand touchline, before driving inside and playing a neat one-two with striker Sam Argent. There was a touch of fortune in the build-up, as the afore mentioned Read failed to head Argent’s return pass away – with the ball landing at the feet of Basingstoke’s No.7, who calmly lifted over goalkeeper Filip Chalupniczak to give his side the lead.
Clear goalscoring opportunities came few and far between for Basingstoke throughout the remainder of the first half, whereas their visitors started to grow into the game. Merstham looked bright on the counter, however they just couldn’t find a final piece of quality in the attacking third to get themselves level.
‘Stoke managed to make their opponents pay on the stroke of half-time, when George Reid made it 2-0. Brad Wilson played the ball through to Sam Argent, who took it around the Chalupniczak before squaring into the 6-yard box where Reid was sliding in to score his 11th goal of the league campaign.
Brad Wilson scored by far the pick of the bunch, when he extended the lead to three just 20 seconds into the second period. Argent was pivotal to a goal once again, as he flicked a header into the path of the in-form winger, who was under no pressure whatsoever as he drove into the Merstham box once again. The lack of attention proved to be deadly, as Wilson opened his body up before firing a rocket straight into the top-right corner – to the elation of the ‘Stoke fans gathered behind the goal.
The hosts were very professional in the way they managed the remainder of the game. With the games beginning to come thick and fast as the business end of the season approaches, Basingstoke went about their business assertively and cruised to the verge of another home victory.
Merstham did, however, give their travelling supporters something to cheer about – as debutant Noe Vendrells bagged his first goal for the club since joining from South Park. The Moatsiders worked the ball out to the left, before playing an inviting ball into the box – which Vendrells turned home to earn what turned out to be a consolation goal.
In a game which boasted some excellent goals, a brilliant home support and ultimately an important three points, the highlight for lots of supporters (and coaches alike) will have been the return of midfielder Lewis Hayden from a long-term injury. The midfielder replaced Simon Dunn with around 15 left on the clock, to get the first minutes under his belt in around 18 months – after rupturing his ACL in a pre-season game with Hashtag United at the start of 2021/22.
The result moves Basingstoke 4 points clear at the top of the table, with focus now firmly on the re-arranged trip to Binfield on Tuesday – before a visit to London, to take on bottom side Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday.