Saturday 23rd August, 2025 | Basildon United 0-1 Buckhurst Hill | FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round | Attendance : 54
By Anthony Mercer
Buckhurst Hill returned to winning ways with a hard fought, but well deserved win and move on to the 2nd Qualifying round away to Hoddesdon Town
Mark Williams made five changes to last week’s outing, with Christian North returning between the sticks, Callum Maltese and Josh Banfield returning in the middle of the park, returning to the club Levi Burgin, out wide and Tyler Dolan from injury.
Buckhurst Hill had the first chance of the afternoon when Burgin saw his header cleared off the line from a corner. Both Josh Banfield, and Callum Maltese were able to spray balls across the pitch as Buckhurst Hill dominated.
On 28 Burgin was again in the thick of the action, but blazed wide after good build up play.
Before the break Basildon had a succession of corners, causing the visitors some concern, but the defence held firm and the stags would have been the happier of the sides at the break.
The second half was delayed by 30 minutes following a medical emergency in the crowd and after both teams warmed up, returned to the action.
Buckhurst Hill’s dominance paid off 6 minutes into the half when a George Edwards corner was well met by the head of Tyler Dolan who scored.
A few minutes later Buckhurst Hill should have gone further ahead when a high ball was met by Maltese, who controlled and hit wide.
On the hour Basildon had a chance to level when substitute Reece Jacobs saw his effort saved by Christian North, before his team mate Jack Camina shot from distance. The tempo of the game slowed for a period of time as both sides made substitutions. With 4 minutes remaining and still in control, Buckhurst Hill’s Ethan Daniels saw his header saved from a George Edwards free kick. With the clock on overtime, Tony Martin had an effort to score, when fellow substitute Alfie Padington crossed nicely only to see his effort go wide.
Basildon pushed forward, but Buckhurst Hill kept them out and progressed to the next round.
TEAM :
North 🧤, Foster, Edwards, Harris, Daniels, Williams ©, Maltese (Padington 82), Banfield, Simpson (Martin 69), Burgin (Nicolaou 73) and Dolan
SUBS NOT USED :
Hammond and Sayer
NEXT MATCH :
