Non-league: Stokoe sparks Bashley revival (From Thisisdorset)

Non-league: Stokoe sparks Bashley revival

5:48pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Sport By Ian Wadley

STEVE Riley praised the character of his rejuvenated squad after watching Bashley continue their revival.

Manager Riley expressed his delight after his team had secured an impressive 3-1 win at promotion-chasing Chippenham Town last night.

Bash moved into the top half of the Premier Division table after making it back-to-back victories in the Southern League.

That double success was particularly timely for Riley’s men – who had managed just one win in 14 matches prior to their upturn in fortunes.

Boss Riley told the Daily Echo: “We just needed one or two performances and positive results to kick-start our season and the past three performances have been top-drawer.

“We are looking more comfortable defensively, we are creating things in midfield now and our forward line is a threat.

“We have created a hatful of chances in the past three games and there is a buzz now.

“It is nice after all the hard work we have done. We got through our bad patch and it showed the character in the squad.”

The win at Chippenham owed much to a quickfire double from James Stokoe. The former Wimborne Town striker put Bash in charge by netting twice in the space of 60 seconds at the end of the first half.

Scott Lye reduced the deficit but Ian Oliver sealed the win 12 minutes from time following good work by Mark Gamble.

Riley added: “It was thoroughly deserved and it epitomised our work-rate.”

Bash: Kearn, Smith, Finlay, Middleton, Whitley, Green, Casey, Allen, Stokoe, Gamble, Oliver. Unused subs: Vokes, Penny, Foster, Ferrett, Digby (g/k).