The first half offered very little in clear cut chances as both sides struggled in the heat but it was Basford who went in front. A corner from the left was headed home by Stef Galinski at the back post in the only goal of the half.

The second half saw Basford on the front foot for large periods but they were left frustrated as on a number of occasions, as they were denied by some good goalkeeping, which saw the game finish 1-0

After a tense opening 20 minutes where neither created any real opportunities Basford moved ahead. A corner from the left was headed in by Galinski at the back post. Basford then had another chance minutes later but the Kimberly ‘keeper was equal to Wayde Hines’ effort.

The one-way traffic continued and a fantastic through ball from Hines but Rev James through but the striker was adjudged to be offside when he looked to be on. James then curled and effort just wide of the post as he looked to double Basford’s advantage.

The front two of Basford continued to trouble the East Midlands Counties outfit and Hines saw a low effort tipped past the post.

At the end of the half the visitors had a couple of half chances of their own but Basford’s back line stood strong and kept hold of their clean sheet at the break.

Kimberley started the second half on the front but failed to test the new Basford ‘keeper before Ryan Wilson blazed an effort over the bar from outside the box.

Just before the hour mark Niall Towle had the chance to open his Basford account but his effort was easily saved by the Kimberley number one.

The young striker was involved again minutes later, this time he cut in from the left and drilled the ball across the box, after getting away from a defender, but it was cut out before it could reach a Basford player. A stunning double save from the Kimberley ‘keeper then kept the score down as he denied Alex Howes and then James Carvell, who was on the follow up.

It was down the left where Basford saw the majority of their success. This time Wilson played Kyle Dixon away and after beating a defender he played the ball across goal for what should have been a tap in, but there was no one to arriving to turn it into the back of the net.

On 77 minutes one of Basford’s trialists came to their rescue, saving low at the feet of a Kimberley forward who beat the offside trap. The Kimberley goalkeeper was then called into action at the other end. Howes stole the ball away from a defender before playing in Carvell but his low drive was denied by the Kimberley shot stopper.
Basford continued to attack and thought they had a penalty with just two minutes left, but there was nothing given before James Clifton’s low free kick was pushed away. That was the last attack of the game as it stayed 1-0 in what was a good workout for both sides.

First half XI: 1-Preston, 2- Roma, 3- Trialist, 4- Thornhill, 5- Galinski, 6- Rooney, 7- Trialist,
8- Chettle, 9- James, 10- Hines, 11- Tague
Second half XI: 1- Trialist, 2- Clifton, 3- Wilson, 4- Trialist, 5- Trialist, 6- Trialist, 7- Carvell,
8- Dixon, 9- Towle, 10- Taylor, 11- Howes

Up Next: Home vs Eastwood 18th August

Reminder the game will be behind closed doors in line with FA and Government guidelines.