Bash march on

Steve Riley's runaway leaders, unbeaten in the league since October of last year, could wrap up the title in their next three games - and even sooner if results go their way.

But rather than relying on their rivals to falter, Bash again kept their end of the bargain thanks to an early Ryan Moss penalty and substitute Jeremy Tarr's late clincher, although Abingdon may feel aggrieved that they didn't take at least a point from a competitive clash.

Although there were a couple of tricky moments at the back for Bash in the early stages, Moss smashed home from the spot to settle the nerves when Shaun Hale was bundled over inside the box.

But although Bashley controlled most of the first-half possession, they were unable to find that second goal and Abingdon began to get a foothold after the break as they went searching for an equaliser.

Goalkeeper David Elm was forced into action, Andy Ballard wasted a glorious chance to drag the visitors level and Chris Ferrett and Matt Parnell were both required to make crucial late interventions at the back to maintain the single-goal advantage.

With glances at the watch becoming the norm among the Bash faithful as they attempted to break out from their own half, Tarr - on as a substitute for the fading Moss - ensured that a few cheeks were puffed with relief seven minutes from time.

The striker won possession inside the centre circle, raced away and slotted home the killer second goal with consummate ease to take Riley's side ever nearer to the ultimate prize of promotion and the title.

Bashley now face Brook House at home on Tuesday before Saturday's trip to Swindon Supermarine and next Tuesday's visit to Hillingdon Borough, which could see them crowned as champions.

With a bit of luck, Bash could be parading silverware around Bashley Road when Andover arrive on March 31.

Bashley: Elm, Gazzard, Ferrett, Castle, Parnell, Knowles, Hale, Davis, Moss (Tarr, 76), Gillespie, Keeping. Unused subs: Morant, Harper, Burden, Riley.

LINNETS WIN AGAIN

RESURGENT Lymington and New Milton made it four wins out of five with a terrific 4-1 success at Windsor and Eton as Kevin James scored what coach Andy Leader described as "two of the best goals you will see at this level".

James, who has thrived since being given the captaincy amid the financial upheaval at Fawcett's Field, struck two classy efforts either side of half-time to put Linnets 4-0 up after earlier strikes from Dave Allen and a James Stokoe penalty.

Allen steered in a header from a Sam Carter cross to open the scoring in the 29th minute and that opened the floodgates for a three-goal burst in three remarkable minutes for Ian Robinson's side.

James added the second, racing on to a fine through-ball from Fawzi Saadi and firing into the top corner with a marvellous finish from near the corner flag after the Windsor keeper had forced him way out wide.

James Stokoe got in on the act from the penalty spot moments later as Saadi was felled inside the box and James added his second of the game just moments after the restart as he bent a superb shot into the top corner from the edge of the area after more good work from Allen.

Leader said: "It was some top drawer finishing from Kevin - you will not see two better goals that that.

"He executed the first one fantastically well from an almost impossible angle. But he knew what he was trying to do and did it superbly.

"For the second one, we were expecting him to try and beat his man but he just shifted it a yard and hit another great strike."

It has been a rollercoast period for Linnets with 10 straight league defeats now followed by four wins out of five.

Leader said: "People are enjoying themselves again. I didn't think we deserved to lose half of those games that we did in that run and football has a habit of evening itself out."

Linnets: Bayliss, Wilson, Carmichael, Darnton, Carter, Allen, Lockyer (Crow, 85), Saadi (Bullen, 85), Lang (Bowler, 65) Stokoe, James. Unused sub: Watson.