Basingstoke Town 3 Ford United 0
BASINGSTOKE Town strolled to victory on Saturday, easily beating visitors Ford United as Craig McAllister netted twice while his strike partner Neville Roach scored the other goal.
The Camrose side rested David Ray, Kevin Gibbens and Neville Stamp - all with minor knocks - so Nathan Stamp, the impressive Nathan Wallace and Efon Elad, returning from suspension, came into the line-up.
From the kick-off, the home side encamped themselves in the Ford half and, after just three minutes, an Alex Ewin cross was met by the head of McAllister for the opening goal.
Town continued to dominate and added a second goal after 22 minutes as Wallace played a nice pass into the path of Neville Roach in the penalty area.
The striker, under pressure, got his shot away and it deflected off Ben Lewis, leaving Ford 'keeper Adam Rafis no chance.
With Elad running the show from midfield, Town looked capable of adding a third before half-time but had to settle for a 2-0 lead.
Just three minutes after the re-start, a good save from Scott Tarr denied Glen Poole. But, immediately, Town broke out and Roach's lay-back to McAllister saw his shot from 25 yards pushed over the bar.
The resulting corner was pushed out for another flag-kick and this time Wallace's ball to the near post saw McAllister outjump the defence to head home on 50 minutes.
Just after the hour, Stamp found space on the right and was allowed to keep going to the edge of the box where his shot was tipped over the bar.
Ford substitute Ronny Watson tested Tarr in the closing minutes as the Town defence of Stamp, Ian Dickens, Steve Hemmings and Ricky Allaway gave up very few chances to the visitors.
Alex Ewin looked set to score a fourth in the final minute, when he was fed by man-of-the-match Mc-Allister but Rafis saved at his feet and then grabbed the rebound to deny Ewin another chance.
Pete Peters, in charge of the Basingstoke team while boss Ernie Howe was away on family commitments, said: "We are pleased to bounce back after the defeat with Aldershot - especially with a clean sheet."
Basingstoke Town: Tarr, Nathan Stamp, Dickens, Wallace (sub McCormick 76min), Hemmings, Allaway, Elad, Howes, McAllister, Roach, Ewin. Subs (not used): Ray, Gibbens, Frost, Neville Stamp.
Ford: Rafis, Collins, McLeod, Lewis, C Perkins, Fiddes (sub Cooper 56min), Buffong (sub Bejada 46min), Edwards, O'Sullivan, Poole, Abrahams (sub Watson 67min). Subs (not used): Halle, D Perkins.
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