Basford United 1 v 2 Coleshill Town

[Alan Beckett]

Saturday 28th February 2026
Northern Premier League Midland Division
Basford United 1 v 2 Coleshill Town
Scorers:
Basford: Nat Peters.
Coleshill: Tristan Dunkley, Gio Dainty.
Attendance: 237.
Supporters Club Man Of The Match: Gio Dainty.


Teams:
Basford: Matthew Yates, Osakpolor Solomon (Revarnelle James), Harrison Hazard, Connor Diamio, Ethan Stewart, Ryan Ebanks, Jack Thomas (Oliver Wilson), Nathaniel Peters, Niall Blake (Alieu Kebe), Jordan Hallam, Curtis Durose (Dameer Rose). Sub not used: Luca Burton.

Coleshill: Cameron Belford, Lewis Allison, Harry Sweeney, Mason Rees, Daniel Brookes, Giovanni Dainty, Theo Rowe (Joe Fitzpatrick), Bassit Mandey, Tristan Dunkley (Ryan Boothe), Ben Usher-Shipway, Marvellous Onabirekhanlen (Kai Cunningham). Subs not used: Oliver Burgundy, Shayne Byrne.

NON LEAGUE PAPER WROTE
In the battle between two sides chasing the play offs, it was Coleshill Town who took the victory at Basford. The visitors took the lead on 26 minutes when Tristan Dunkley fired beyond Mathew Yates. And they added a second in the 56th minute when Gio Dainty stole in at the near post and was able to steer home Theo Rowe's (it was Ben Usher-Shipway) free kick from just outside the penalty area. Nat Peters pulled one back with ten minutes to go when a Jordan Hallam corner was headed home to give the hosts a little bit of hope. But despite the six minutes of added time, third placed Basford couldn't find an equaliser.
Star Man: Gio Dainty (Coleshill)
Entertainment: ***


MATCH REPORT
By Ian Pugh
The Colemen dig deep, play bold, and take a huge away win

Coleshill travelled to Nottingham with a patched‑up back line and both recognised central defenders unavailable, but you wouldn’t have known it from the way they approached the game. Harry’s side played with freedom, intent, and a clear plan to get on the front foot early — and it paid off.

First Half: Pressure, Purpose, and the Breakthrough

Coleshill’s front four set the tone from the opening whistle, pressing Basford aggressively and forcing them into a style they didn’t want to play. Instead of their usual patient build‑up, Basford were repeatedly pushed into going long, and Coleshill’s makeshift defence handled it superbly.

The breakthrough came on 26 minutes.A trademark long throw from the impressive Ben Usher‑Shipway caused chaos in the Basford box, and Tristan Duckley reacted quickest, guiding the ball home to put The Colemen 1–0 up. It was no more than the visitors deserved for their control, energy, and bravery in possession.

Second Half: Basford Respond, Coleshill Stand Firm

Basford made early changes after the restart, adding more attacking threat and trying to wrestle back momentum. But Coleshill’s defensive unit — reorganised, makeshift, but utterly committed — stood firm.

Then came the moment that ultimately sealed the points.

On 56 minutes, another set‑piece delivered by Ben caused problems. A free kick awarded inches outside the box, dropped into a crowded six‑yard box, where emergency centre half, Gio Dainty in a trio of attackers, flicked a leg out and poked the ball into the net. A defender’s finish, a striker’s instinct, and a priceless 2–0 lead.

Basford did eventually pull one back, but Coleshill’s structure, discipline, and sheer work rate ensured the hosts never built enough momentum to threaten a comeback.

What It Means

This win keeps Coleshill firmly in the playoff conversation. The belief is growing, the performances are matching the ambition, and the squad depth is proving its worth at a crucial stage of the season.

Harry, though, is keeping everyone grounded. The focus is already on the next challenge — a rescheduled away trip to Corby, a side whose league position doesn’t tell the full story. Their games in hand mean they remain a dangerous opponent, and Coleshill will need the same intensity and clarity they showed at Basford.