Hutton 1 Basildon Town 0 - A first half header from Billy Titley proves enough for Hutton to edge out Basildon Town at New Lodge & strengthen their grip on the final play off spot in the Thurlow Nunn South

Thurlow Nunn First Division South, Wednesday 9th April

I was over at New Lodge, Billericay, for a game that for one side could see them really help their cause to claim the final play off spot in the division, Hutton were that team, and they were hosting Basildon Town in the sole Wednesday night contest in the division.

Hutton were one of four teams vying for the final play off spot, and were in the driving seat for it, which you can see below:-

Now as you can see, it is rather tight between fifth and eighth, but a win for Hutton would see them grab a big advantage heading into the final few games of the campaign, and although Basildon Town were in tenth and way off the top five, they would have a big say in who might occupy that fifth spot, as after this game tonight they would have back to back contests against Hoddesdon Town, who were only three points off Hutton.

Hoddesdon also had to play Coggeshall Town before the season was out too, but all the sides below Hutton would no doubt hope and pray Basildon Town would get a result here and do them all a favour, Hutton obviously wanted a win to really put them in charge for that final play off spot, the hosts were unbeaten in five and had netted draws against Cannons Wood & Coggeshall Town in their last two games to keep those sides at bay.

Basildon themselves were coming into this one unbeaten in four games, although the last two of those being a disappointing home draw against basement boys St Margaretsbury and a narrow 1-0 home win against struggling NW London, Hutton then would be a challenge for sure, but with not a lot to play for, sometimes that can be dangerous for their opponents who had a lot to play for.

So, what sort of game would we get, a free flowing one with plenty of goalmouth action, or a scrappy one with lots of stoppages and physicality, well it turned out to be the latter of those two, neither keeper had a lot to do as neither side had much of a cutting edge going forward, the first forty five saw both sides have the chances of openings, but nothing came of that, and it looked as though the opening forty five minutes would end goalless.

But, in first half stoppage time Hutton managed to break through, a nice attacking move down the left saw a ball played to Solomon Asamoah whose pin point cross into the six yard box was headed home by Billy Titley, and it meant the hosts would hold a slender one goal lead heading into the changing rooms, could they build on this or would the visitors bounce back in the second period?

Initially it looked as if Hutton might be able to build on their lead, but as the half went on they began to go into their shell a bit and look to hold onto what they had, and the last twenty five minutes or so definitely belonged to Bas Town and they threatened to level the game up on more than one occasion, but their end product was lacking, meaning a lot of frustration amongst the visiting quarters.

Their was equal frustration amongst the hosts too as they were threatening to throw away points if they could not hold on, this was a big game for them and they knew what a win could do for their play off hopes, you could feel the nerves and tension from the home side as they got closer and closer to the finishing line, a line that was extended by several minutes of stoppage time.

Things did get a little bit silly in that period too, Bas Town's centre half Lewis Brown was given a straight red after a challenge over the top of the ball, causing a melee, and before the free kick was taken another Hutton player flew to the ground like he had been shot, all rather unnecessary in my view but thankfully nothing came from that, you felt the referee needed to end this game sooner rather than later before more shenanigans took place. 

And after nine minutes of added on time, the game was up, and Hutton had held on for a very useful three points which puts them four points ahead of sixth place now, they know it's in their hands for fifth spot now, if they win out, they will be in the play offs, although it's never that simple, Bas Town's unbeaten run is over but they had more than enough chances to extend that run.  A pretty poor game overall but Hutton will not care one jot, it's all about winning at this time of year.

Full time Hutton 1 Basildon Town 0

 So, this is how that run for the final play off place looks after Hutton's win:-

Hutton then have that four point buffer to Coggeshall Town now, and are only four points behind AS London who they play at New Lodge on Saturday, so they could potentially finish fourth still, and if Rayleigh also slip up snatch a home semi final berth, but their main goal is just to reach the post season, and they have given themselves a great chance of doing that now.