Nettles bounce back at Bas

Nettleham bounced back from their opening day defeat on the Cowpaddle with a 6-1 thrashing of Bassingham at Bas Park.

Inspirational winger Boydie Aisthorpe stole the show with a match-winning hat-trick, with Joe Drabble, Nathan Pearse and Loz King completing the rout.

However Andy Sawyer’s inexplicable miss in the dying stages took the gloss off what was an otherwise professional display from the north Lincoln villagers.

Player-manager James Carter was forced to delay the naming of his starting XI until 10.44am after a number of his players ignored the 10am meet time and staggered into the ground on the stroke of kick-off.

Indeed, Bas were left baffled when the Nettles kicked off the match with only nine men but had four named substitutes patrolling the touchline.

When play finally got under way in front of a sparse crowd at Bas Park, Nettleham immediately found their rhythm with new-look front two Calum Pearse and Joe Drabble linking up just as they had done on the dancefloor the previous night.

Another man showing no ill-effects from a day on the ale was Jonny Drabble, who was at the hub of most of Nettleham’s best play in the early stages.

Despite their dominance, the visitors almost conceded when a set-piece caused panic and a Bassingham player headed against the crossbar from close range.

That served as a wake-up call to the Nettles, who broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Aisthorpe raced down the left and fired into the far corner of the net.

Half time: Bassingham 0 Nettleham 1

With Carter and Kev Ealham beginning to boss the midfield, it came as no surprise when Nettleham doubled their lead early in the second half.

Aisthorpe was put clear down the left and he once again kept his composure with a cool finish into the far corner – this time with his unfavoured right foot.

With the home fans in the House Stand contemplating an early exit, Bas gave them a reason to stay when they grabbed a lifeline minutes later.

An ongoing tussle between Nathan Pearse and a man they call ‘Eccles’ resulted in a free-kick being awarded to Bas way in a dangerous position.

The free-kick was taken quickly and a Bassingham player stole a march on Jaz Dhindsa before diverting his header past Stu in the sticks.

But any hopes of a comeback were quickly dispelled, Joe Drabble making it two goals in as many games when he swept home Calum’s cross minutes later.

And any doubts about where the points were heading were cast aside when Boydie completed his hat-trick with an excellent finish following a fine throughball from Carter.

With victory assured as this point Nettleham threw bodies forward with gay abandon. And it was a collectors item from Nathan Pearse which put the Nettles in complete control shortly after.

Boydie: Hollywood display

With Bassingham at sixes and sevens, Pearse seized on one of many horror moments from centre half ‘Mike’ aka Juan Sebastian Veron, to slot home from close range.

The celebration which followed showed just how much the goal meant to Pearse and the travelling Nettleham contingent.

It was showboating time at this point and Nettleham made it 6-1 when King fired home on debut following more calamitous defending from Mike and co.

Bassingham were pleading for mercy at this stage and they were handed a reprieve when Sawyer aka Soggy contrived to place the ball over an open goal from four yards.

Mick Adams' bonus points

Boydie Aisthorpe ***

Jonny Drabble **

Connor Fitzpatrick *