It would be easy to underestimate County’s single goal success against an industrious Basingstoke side as an example of ‘winning ugly’ because there was so much to admire about the whole team performance.  The home side had won four of their five matches at the Camrose and, with several summer arrivals from Farnborough, they are much improved from the team who struggled for survival in each of the last two seasons, as they showed at Spytty Park a month ago on their Blue Square South visit.

But though the victory came from a late goal from Charlie Griffin, County shaded the encounter and, while they could never relax, they were always the likelier team to score.  Kicking up the slope in the first half, County matched a physical home outfit from the start though they could have done with some protection from referee David Rock who turned a blind eye to several home tackles from behind early on which must have left Nathan Davies black and blue!  Their first goal attempts came from a Damon Searle header and a Jason Bowen shot while the Dragons huffed and puffed but made little impression on the County defence.

Both sides suffered injury setbacks from innocuous challenges, with County skipper Steve Jenkins having to give way to Ian Hillier after apparently jarring nerves in his back while the unfortunate Matt Warner needed a stretcher to take him off just before half-time, and we hope his injury is not serious.  Two names were recorded by Mr Rock within the space of a first half minute, with Julian Alsop picking up a caution after using his hand to knock the ball into the home net.  The booking of Mark Dodds moments later was harsh indeed though, as the defender did not take his eye off the ball in making a challenge and if he was a fraction late, it certainly appeared unintentional and was a ‘first offence’.

Mr Rock upset the County fans by allowing Steve Laidler in particular to get away with a few bad challenges from behind and did not give County the penalty they thought they had won when Bowen appeared to be fouled on the stroke of half-time, and the away contingent made their displeasure known when the official left the field at half-time.

Glyn Thompson had been untroubled in the County goal except for a couple of threats after half an hour from first Scott Fitzgerald and then Tyron Smith.  The keeper who has made a huge impact with County fans for his safe handling, was again rock solid, bravely blocking Fitzgerald’s attempt and then gathering the dangerous follow-up shot from Smith.  It says much for the team in front of him though that he was only called upon to deal with crosses and back passes from the 31st minute onwards.

Lee Jarman was simply immense and Mark Dodds once again looked as if he had been partnering him for years as time and again they frustrated the home strike pair of Michael Charles and Fitzgerald, while Searle took the captain’s armband from Jenkins and led by example.  Hillier easily slotted into Jenkins’ right back role while Lee Collier again impressed alongside Davies in midfield with a display of great effort to provide a solid base for playmakers Bowen and Richard Evans.

County began the second half with Griffin striking the home goalpost and his never-say-die partner Alsop firing just wide after a good interchange between the forwards.  Between those efforts though Fitzgerald had a great chance for ‘Stoke but placed his close range header over the bar.  Hillier and Bowen could have no complaints for second half yellow cards though yet another bad challenge from behind by Laidler, this time on Bowen, was punished with just a free-kick.

The momentum was with the Exiles and County fans sensed the breakthrough was coming though there was a helping hand from Mr Rock who perhaps harshly awarded a free-kick against David Tarpey on 77 minutes.   Damon Searle’s ambitious attempt from 30 yards was deflected out to Bowen on the right.  The cross was sublime, taking out stranded keeper Jonty Ventor for GRIFFIN to arrive unmarked at the far post to head the winner.

Laidler at last made his way onto Mr Rock’s card list while County suffered one further scare when a Tarpey cross was whipped across the face of the goal with no home forward able to get a touch.  It is now four wins out of four, with no goals conceded, and lovers of stats will be interested to know that County have won the last five games between these sides, scoring nine goals without reply in the process.  There is one more visit to make to the Camrose this season, on 8 December in Blue Square South action, when County will again have to be on top of their game to continue the record.

Man of the Match:

Basingstoke: Robert Watkins (solid and hardworking)

County: Lee Jarman (immense yet again).