BAGSHOT 2, BADSHOT LEA 4

BADSHOT Lea, after dropping their first points in 13 league matches, came back with a vital win on Tuesday that puts them second in the table and strongly placed to secure promotion back to the Combined Counties Premier Division.

The Baggies’ response on a freezing night at Bagshot – always a difficult place to come – was praised by manager Mark Thomas. “The pitch is poor and you can’t play much football,” he said. “We had to change the way we play and it was a battle rather than a football match. The mentality has to be right, or you can come unstuck.

“We adapted better in the second half and the fact that we had a strong side out got us through in the end.”

Lowly Bagshot pulled it back to 3-2 in the 80th minute and must have been hopeful of rescuing a point.

But Badshot Lea showed what they are made of by restoring the two-goal cushion within 15 seconds of the restart. Calum Nimmo released Darren Blake down the right and the cross was perfect for Nick Thumwood to head home the killer goal.

A goalkeeping error had allowed Brad Smith to put the Baggies in front after just 12 minutes. A gutsy Bagshot equalised shortly before half-time, but a Blake header restored the lead and when Smith converted a penalty after a foul on Louis Hibbert, the visitors looked to be in control at 3-1 in the 64th minute.

Bagshot scored again, but Badshot Lea’s immediate reply ensured a 13th victory in 14 matches and sent them above Sheerwater on goal difference, eight points behind leaders Worcester Park who have played one more match. On their present form, the Baggies could yet win the title.

“I applaud the character of the players,” said Thomas. “Their reward is second place and now we’ve got to stay there.”

Badshot Lea: Nyamunga, Neville, Nimmo, Osler, Blackie, Hawker (Hibbert 60), Blake, Hutchings, Thripp, Smith, Turner (Thumwood 46).

Sub manager saves the record

BADSHOT LEA 3, SHEERWATER 3

MARK Thomas came off the bench to score Badshot Lea’s third goal and secure a precious point against an impressive Sheerwater side on Saturday.

The Baggies long unbeaten run looked to coming to an end when Sheerwater striker Shane Rideout completed his hat-trick to give the visitors a 3-1 lead after an hour at Krooner Park.

“We set our side up for the Camberley pitch, but we didn’t apply ourselves in the first half and got caught on the break twice,” said Thomas afterwards.

Badshot Lea also struggled to cope with the massive throw-ins launched by Sheerwater veteran Tom Hegarty.

“We made a couple of changes at half-time, but it was moving Darren Blake back to the right that made the real difference,” said the manager. “It gave us a much better balance.”

After Rideout had given Sheerwater an early lead, it was Blake who followed in on a parried Brad Smith shot to slot home the first equaliser.

But Rideout converted a penalty to restore Sheers’ lead and his third goal left the home side with a mountain to climb.

Kicking down the slope in this half, Badshot Lea were twice denied by the offside flag, but on 73 minutes, Blake fired in a telling cross and substitute Cameron Blackie was there to head his side back into contention.

The Baggies were on top in the last quarter and deservedly drew level in the 84th minute. This time, Stacey Thripp supplied the cross and Thomas popped up with a close-range finish to preserve his side’s proud undefeated run.

The home side had two more decent chances during a lengthy spell of injury time, but a point apiece was probably a fair result to an excellent game.

• Badshot Lea are away to sixth-placed AC London this Saturday.

• Farnham Town, without a game last weekend, visit Chertsey on Saturday and then host Colliers Wood on Tuesday.