10-man Bristol Manor Farm were forced to settle for a point following a goalless draw at home to Bashley, writes Jack Davies.
Neither side were in great form and a difficult pitch made the opening exchanges rather tepid. Owen Brain drove an early effort wide before Ollie Woodhouse’s superb defensive tackle denied Bashley a clear run at goal. Brain came close after half an hour, but his dipping free kick didn’t quite drop in time to catch Ross Casey out. Farm goalkeeper Seth Locke had the moment of the first half in added time. A throw it was flicked on twice and Locke got down superbly to tip the resulting header wide.
Farm had the majority of the second half chances and looked the more likely winners. Daniel Dodimead came inches from connecting with a Jamie Adams cross before the latter himself had an effort sliced wide. A poor refereeing performance was capped in the 80th minute as he produced a surprise red card. Mason Winter slipped into a Bashley defender on the touchline and was given a straight red, to the bemusement of most of the stadium. Despite the disadvantage, Farm could have nicked the game with two late chances. Woodhouse rose highest to head a deep free kick just wide before the final chance deep in added time. Dodimead’s incredible persistence saw him win the ball deep in Bashley territory and his cutback to Brain was taken neatly but the striker lost his footing at the crucial moment and his eventual shot went wide.