After a week without a fixture, Basildon United returned to league action with a trip to The Drive, home of Frenford, for the second game of our league campaign.
There were six changes to the side that faced Stansted FC in the Essex Senior Cup the previous week, with Enri Kalsi, Chinedu Duru and Harry Hearn returning to the starting line-up. Alexander Ansell, Bade Aleketu and Gerard Thompson-Shaw all made their Basildon United debuts.
The Bees took the lead in the 25th minute following a cagey opening period. Gerard Thompson-Shaw capitalised on a loose Frenford pass before slipping the ball through to Spiros Lagopodis, who made no mistake with a fine finish past the Frenford keeper to register his second goal for Basildon in as many games.
Basildon were unable to build on their advantage despite creating further opportunities, with Chinedu Duru going closest when his glancing header narrowly missed the target.
Frenford, who enjoyed long spells of possession and pressure, eventually found an equaliser in the 67th minute. Another wayward pass allowed Frenford to launch a counter-attack, with Asad Ahmed finishing the move to bring the hosts level.
Both sides continued to create chances, with both goalkeepers called upon to make important saves. With the game heading towards its conclusion, Frenford were awarded a penalty in the second minute of added time, and Steven Carvell calmly converted from the spot to put the hosts ahead.
There was still time for late drama. Spiros Lagopodis almost forced an equaliser with a dangerous free kick that required an excellent save from the Frenford keeper. From the resulting corner, all 11 Basildon players pushed forward in search of a leveller, and the Bees came agonisingly close when the ball was cleared off the line.
With Basildon committed forward, Frenford broke away one final time, allowing Thomas Scantlebury to roll the ball into an empty net with virtually the last kick of the game and seal a 3–1 victory for the hosts.