Due to unforeseen circumstances Bassett played an extra match to round off the season and what a match it was! Venue County Ground Swindon Town F.C.. the match was played before a sizeable crowd as the pre-match entertainment for the Wiltshire Senior Cup Final involving Wootton Bassett Town and Pewsey Vale. The whole event, including a superb match involving the two senior sides which was won by Wootton Bassett in extra-time was a wonderful experience for children, parents and coaches alike.
The young Bassett side, proudly displaying the name of team kit sponsor R.J. Leighfield on the shirts for the first time this season and also wearing new tracksuits supplied by Lucents, certainly looked the part prior to their match and did not disappoint in the match itself in a tight first half Bassett had most of the possession, but Pewsey defended well. The football from both sides was of a high standard, as both teams tried to play a passing game. For the coaches, the match was something of a new experience. What most parents do not know is that the Wiltshire FA had specifically asked the Pewsey coaches, Terry, Kevin and I not to coach or shout at the children during the actual match (there is no truth in the rumour that Daniel Strange has now written to the Wiltshire F.A. asking for this rule to apply to Kevin until Daniel is 20). Despite the absence of the usual instructions from the sideline the team kept its shape during the first half and played some fine football, Nathan Douglas and Sean Toomey, in particular were involved in a lot of Bassett's passing moves, whilst Robert Leighfield was a constant threat to the Pewsey defence. Phillip Forster, Tom Marchment, Simon Anderton, George Drewitt and Daniel Strange in Bassett's defence dealt with anything that Pewsey threw at them. The match remained without a goal at half time.
The second half continued at the same high standard as the first but Bassett broke the deadlock thanks to a set piece at the half way stage of the second period. Brett Embling's long throws had been a constant threat to the Pewsey defence and one such throw reached Stuart Smedley in the centre of the Pewsey area and he hit the ball on the volley into the back of the Pewsey net. The goal resulted in the largest cheer of the season so far for the children as, by this time, a number of additional Bassett Town supporters had made their way into the ground. Pewsey went close to equalising with a powerful shot which was well held by Simon Anderton in the Bassett goal, but Bassett attacked the Pewsey goal for most of the half. At the final whistle both sides were given a large cheer and clap for an excellent display of small-sided football. The two sides then formed a guard of honour for the two senior sides as they entered the arena.
An unforgettable experience for the children for which the Under 9's would like to thank the Wiltshire F.A., Wootton Bassett Town F.C. and Pewsey Vale F.C. for permitting it to happen. Virtually all the team stayed to watch the whole of the senior match which was won in dramatic fashion by Bassett in extra time. A late night for the children but one that was worth staying up for!
I would like to thank all the children for behaving so well during the evening, especially during the minutes silence for the late Mick Parry. We were on show all evening and the children did the team proud. I thought it was also great to see not only our players, but those from the other age groups, wearing the Bassett shirts. I am sure this helped inspire the senior side to their tremendous victory.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 3rd January 2021 at 16:20
