Four-Midable Colemen!
A fast start, a couple of nervy moments, and four superb goals ensured Coleshill Town maintained their momentum from last week's victory with an entertaining 4-2 win over Basford.
Colemen Keep the Momentum Rolling
Coleshill knew another strong performance was needed to build on last weekend's success, and they could hardly have asked for a better start.
With just 25 seconds on the clock, the hosts were ahead. A knockdown from Charlie Manners dropped invitingly into the path of Bassit Manday, who reacted instantly to send a sweet half-volley beyond the helpless Basford goalkeeper and into the net.
The early breakthrough settled the Colemen, but a familiar vulnerability at the back resurfaced shortly afterwards. After creating a couple of half chances, Basford found space in behind the Coleshill defence and took full advantage. Their attacker raced clear into the penalty area before calmly slipping the ball past Cam to level the scores after nine minutes.
The setback did little to knock Coleshill's confidence and they soon reclaimed the lead. On 16 minutes, the home side defended another Basford attack before quickly turning defence into attack. The ball was played forward to Manners on the halfway line and a fortunate ricochet off a Basford defender gave him control as he surged towards goal. With only the keeper to beat, Manners produced a clinical finish, smashing the ball into the roof of the net to make it 2-1.
The Colemen were in irresistible form and added a third just six minutes later. Dan Gyasi received possession on the right wing and immediately went at his marker. Beating his man for the first of many times during an outstanding display, Gyasi created space on the edge of the area before sweeping a superb left-footed effort around the goalkeeper and into the bottom corner, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Coleshill enjoyed the majority of possession for the remainder of the first half, but Basford remained a threat on the counter-attack. The visitors repeatedly looked dangerous when breaking forward, forcing the Coleshill defence and goalkeeper into several important interventions to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into the break.
The second half offered fewer clear-cut opportunities, but it remained a competitive contest that demanded concentration from both defensive units. Basford fashioned a couple of half chances as they searched for a route back into the game, but Coleshill stood firm.
The decisive moment arrived when the Colemen broke down the right once again. Gyasi showed tremendous determination to battle with his defender, eventually getting goal-side before unleashing another outstanding strike that flew into the top corner to make it 4-1 and all but secure the points.
Basford did manage a late consolation deep into stoppage time. A free-kick was delivered to the back post and, although Cam got a hand to the ball, he could not keep it out as it crept just inside the upright.
The visitors' late goal proved little more than a footnote on an afternoon when Coleshill delivered another impressive attacking display, eventually running out deserved 4-2 winners.
Speaking after the match, Hinksey praised the performance of his side, describing the goals as "some of the best you'll see" and expressing his excitement ahead of next week's challenging home fixture against Shepshed Dynamo.
Coleshill Town 4-2 Basford
Scorers: Bassit Manday (1), Charlie Manners (16), Dan Gyasi (22, 83)