Bascome was announced as the man to replace former head coach Mark Trott.

Indeed, Bascome's appointment served merely to confirm the obvious.

FA, Martonmere, Friendship, League, Dudley Eve ... it was a done deal that the Hornets would be serious challengers for all of the major trophies.

Then came the reality check, one which highlighted the fact that these would have to be won on the field, not on paper, in media prognostication or bar and street-side conversation. Great potential would not get it done alone, action was needed.

And the message was driven home as the Hornets stumbled out of the blocks.

They failed to register a victory in their first three league affairs, were bundled out of the Martonmere Cup at the semi-final stage, and were forced into a replay by First Division outfit Paget before advancing in the FA Cup.

Such failure became grounds for dissent among onlookers, who began to doubt the actual quality of the side and the rumoured genius of the coach, inferring both to be highly overrated.

Bascome and his team heard the whispers, but did their best to ignore.

However, neither were keeping quiet after the Hornets exploded into a symphony show of high class soccer at BAA Field last Tuesday night, destroying First Division leaders North Village 3-2, vaulting into second place in the table and securing a Dudley Eve Trophy qualifying spot.

"I don't know what people were looking at in the beginning, but we were trying to play good football,'' exclaimed Bascome, clearly excited regarding his ability to defeat the club that once schooled him in the game.

"And it's unfortunate we didn't get the goals, but we have to keep chipping away and chipping away.

"Performances like this are not a fluke, it's over a period of time. Making them realise that touch is important, as is proper passing, and most of all team harmony is important.

"You can't just look at individuals and say `He didn't do it today'. It has to be collective, and I think that's what helped us.'' Bascome took over the helm at St. John's Road after stints at Village, Boulevard, St. David's and Somerset, bringing with him a new system of play and philosophy, to which players had some difficulty adjusting at the start.

"My emphasis is on good touch, good conditioning, playing to feet, and playing the way you're facing,'' explained Bascome. "They have the technique to do it, it's just over a period of time.

"Can they do it for long periods? That's their challenge.'' Asked to reflect on the first half of the season, and the `abuse' received, Bascome replied: "For a team people say they're disappointed in, we're still there ... I guess the best is yet to come.'' More immediately is the Dudley Eve tournament, with the potential for five matches in nine days ... not exactly an eagerly anticipated set-up.

And, while Bascome still was to discuss with the team and its hierarchy the approach to be taken, Town clearly have as good a chance as any, although they will first want to get past Village, whom they again face in tonight's night-cap at BAA -- Devonshire Colts tackle PHC in the curtain-raiser.

"We have to take a close look at that and be realistic in terms of what we want out of it,'' said Bascome. "But it has to be a collective movement, because you're looking at `X' amount of games, easing training sessions and such.

"If it's there we'll take it. We want to take it, and I feel we're in a good position for the next half of the season, we just have to keep pressing on.''