(Good Friday) Dover Athletic: 3 - Basingstoke Town: 0
(Easter Monday) Basingstoke Town: 1 - Boreham Wood: 0
An indifferent Easter weekend for the Dragons saw them sign off their home campaign on Monday with three points at the Camrose, but on Good Friday ’Stoke had gone down 0-3 at play-off chasing Dover Athletic.
Town travelled to Dover on the back of wins which had produced six goals and none against. But two errors in the first half took the good out of Friday for the visitors.
The hosts were on top from the start and Basingstoke conceded after 24 minutes when Ross Adams put through his own net.
Twelve minutes later, league top scorer Adam Birchall added to his tally, converting from the penalty spot.
Town had lost the ball in the middle of the park and the home side stormed forward, resulting in Callum Reynolds bringing Birchall down.
Town would have felt at the half way mark that they were still in the contest, heartened by Greg Draper producing a fine save from home keeper Ross Flitney.
Manager Frank Gray made a bold move nine minutes into the second half with a triple substitution, introducing Frankie Raymond, Matt Pattison and Nathan Smart.
But the home side remained in control and the result was put beyond doubt on 71 minutes when Birchall did well to keep the ball in play and cross for substitute John Main who headed home unchallenged.
Easter Monday saw the Dragons entertain Boreham Wood, who had made safe their position next season in the Blue Square South with a Friday victory over Eastleigh thus ending the Spitfires hopes of reaching the end of season play-offs.
Prior to kick-off, Stuart Lake was presented with the Supporters Club player of the season award and in-form striker Greg Draper picked up the young player of the year award.
Within nine minutes of the start Gareth Risbridger forced a decent save from Simon Locke and Jay Gasson cleared the danger. With Town looking dominant, good work by Delano Sam-Yorke saw a goal-bound Warner effort blocked.
The home side had edged the first half, but had failed to take their opportunities and the visitors would have been satisfied at being level at the break.
An even start to the second half saw Town have the first chance, with Rob Rice heading a cross well over the bar.
Ross Adams was on hand to clear the danger when Elliot Godfrey’s shot bounced in front of Locke. On the hour, player of the season Lake met a cross at the back post, but his effort was easy for Putnins.
The visitors, in a bid to find a goal, brought on Ola Sogbanmu and Sam Hurrell, but achieved the opposite effect, with Adams, Draper and David Pratt all going close to opening the scoring.
Eventually, on 70 minutes, the pressure showed as more good work by Sam-Yorke set up Draper, who made no mistake from ten yards.
Town continued to pile on the pressure and Sam-Yorke, Lake, and Draper could have all added to the score. The hosts made two late substitutions, with Matt Pattison replacing David Pratt and Matt Finlay for Warner.
Finlay came close late on to conceding a penalty, seemingly bundling Luke Garrard in the area, and in the final seconds David Bryant got in behind the Town defence from a long ball and with his shot over Locke Adams cleared off the line.
Town were worthy winners in their final home game of the 2010/11 season and victory in the final game at Welling on Saturday will break the 50-point mark and could see a 12th place finish.
