O’connor doubles up in Basford victory
AARON O’connor’s brace ensured back-to-back wins for Basford United.
After beating Stourbridge in the FA Cup last weekend, they returned to Pitching-in Premier Division action and won 2-0 away against Stalybridge Celtic.
O’connor gave Steve Chettle’s men the lead after 19 minutes with a close-range effort following a deft touch and excellent work down the right by Terry Hawkridge.
The 37-year-old then fired home a penalty seconds after the restart after Kane Richards was clumsily felled by Steve O’halloran.
Celtic offered very little but always posed a threat when Scott Bakkor was on the ball.
They should have equalised in the 35th minute when Ethan Padden latched onto Bakkor’s deflected free kick.
His shot was superbly saved by
Basford keeper Adam Collin and Ioan Evans looked certain to draw his side level but for the heroic, last-ditch efforts of Brad Gascoigne, who deflected the follow-up wide.
Ahead at the break and comfortable, United were presented with a fine opportunity to double their lead moments after the restart when Hawkridge’s cross caused issues.
The centre was only half-cleared and Rev James shot before the ball fell kindly for Richards, who was bundled over by O’halloran and O’connor stepped up to duly score his second goal in Basford colours.
James almost scored a third for Basford from a tight angle but Celtic keeper Louis Hood tipped the ball over the bar.
Basford are now unbeaten in six and are back in league action tomorrow when they are at home to Lancaster City (3pm).