Shaw Lane striker Adam Priestley ran Basford ragged all night
Shaw Lane Aquaforce ended Basford United’s seven match unbeaten run in ruthless style to cut the gap on leaders Stafford Rangers to five points.
Aquaforce stormed to a 5-0 at the Shaw Lane complex in Barnsley over a Basford side that was hoping to break in the Evo Stik Division One South play-offs.
Goals from Gavin Allott, Adam Priestley, Oscar Radford, Jordan Deacey and Lee Bennett put pay to their hopes.
Apart from a brief scare 60 seconds before Shaw Lane’s opener, Basford never really threatened to cause a upset.
Striker Reuben Wiggins-Thomas actually got round Shaw Lane goalkeeper Ian Deakin and he will have nightmares for a few weeks after firing wide.
That miss came to haunt the visitors as Shaw Lane showed their clinical edge to go in front – Allott turning his man to strike a low effort into the far corner.
The second half began in perfect fashion for Aquaforce as Priestley, who Basford couldn’t handle all night, pulled away from the visitors and dinked the ball over goalkeeper Saul Deeney,
The match was soon beyond Basford’s reach as Radford rose to head home his first ever goal for Aquaforce.
Shaw Lane were well in control and creating chances for fun so it was inevitable more goals were to follow.
Deacey got on the score-sheet for the first time in only his second appearance after diverting captain Thornhill’s failed chip attempt into the net.
Bennett then sealed the victory with aplomb. With a type of strike that could have easily landed in Barnsley city centre, Bennett superbly volleyed over the former Burton Albion goalkeeper Deeney from 20-yards.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Deakin, Stohrer, O’Brien, Thornhill (captain) (Towey 80), Jones (Sabo 76), Radford, Istead, Bennett, Priestley, Allott (Deacey 71), Thornton.
Basford United: Deeney (captain), McNicholas, Meikle (Kelhener 14), Hollis, Darkin, Myers, Grantham, Grayson (Wood 63), Wiggins-Thomas (Smith 63), Bopp, Anderson. Subs unused: Hutchinson.
Referee: James Bell
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 160
Man of the match: Adam Priestley (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)