Stansted went into this game after the xmas break looking to get back to winning ways and to show they can contest against the top sides in this league, Stansted was without captain Tom Le Masurier who was suspended and David Ratcliffe who was ill

From the off Both teams had plenty of the ball,on 8 minutes a ball picked up by Basildon and a pass through the middle to their striker who was through on goal only to be pulled back and awarded a free kick on the edge on the Stansted box and Chris Moore given a yellow card for the foul, the free kick was taken but went just passed the post.

On 11 minutes Basildon win the ball the ball played through the middle was picked up by their striker who shot just over the Stansted bar.

On 12 minutes the ball was picked up by Connor Martin who played a long ball up to Matt Ashwell who run down the line passed it back to Martin who crossed into the Basildon box for the defender to head out only to fall to Matt Wedlake to unleash a hard shot on goal which the keeper got his fingers to but could not keep it out to make it 1-0.

With the game now competitive and a lot of hard tackles taking place in midfield on 15 minutes Stansted win the ball they play a quick ball up to Matt Ashwell who dribbled into the Basildon box got a good shot off but for the keeper to save.

With Stansted now asking questions of Basildon on 18 minutes Stansted win the ball out wide the ball played in to Wedlake who found Ashwell inside the box he got his shot off but again the keeper saving well.

On 19 minutes it was Basildon on the attack the ball played through into the Stansteds box it was picked up by there striker but for a good sliding tackle from Stansteds Brad James to deny them a shot on goal.

With the game wide open on 21 minutes Stansted play the ball out from the back picked up by Rudkin who found Ashwell who shot but again for the goalkeeper to push over the bar to deny Stansted again.

On 39 minutes Basildon go on the attack with Stansteds Roach looking like being fouled when trying to intercept but the referee not giving it which left Basildon through on goal but for a good save by Reece Paine to keep it 1-0 HT

Stansted made a change for the second half with Tom Larkin replacing Chris Moore. The second half started evenly, on 52 minutes a collision between Connor Martin and Matt Gill resulted in Martin coming off with a knee injury Jack Hayes came on for Stansted.

On 53 minutes Basildon now turning the screw win the ball in midfield a ball played up to there striker who spun and shot into the Stansted net making it 1-1. With Basildon now having plenty of the ball on 65 minutes they win a corner which was whipped in and a shot fired just past the Stansted post.

On 68 minutes Basildon go on the attack again down the Stansted right hand side the ball whipped in, which found the striker to slot home to make it 1-2.

On 73 minutes Stansted make another change with Sam Ashford replacing Jack Isherwood , on 74 minutes Ashford picked the ball up ran with it down the Basildon right hand side and forced the defender to put it out for a corner , the corner was taken but cleared by Basildon.

On 82 with Stansted pushing for the equalizer , Basildon counter attack they play a quick ball through the middle up to their striker but for a good tackle by the Stansted defender out for a corner which come to nothing .

Into stoppage time another counter attack by Basildon, a through ball to their striker which left him 1 on 1 with Stansted keeper Paine but for Paine making a good challenge to deny him a goal FT 1-2

On reflection Stansted will be disappointed they did not get anything out of this game they done enough to at least get a point and asked a lot of questions of one of the title favorites Basildon but they did start to show that they are coming back to some form playing some good football.