Bassett performed very well but, for the second consecutive week, were beaten by three goals. In the first half, as in the Westlea game the previous week, there was little to choose between the two teams. Highworth took the lead but Bassett came back at the visitors strongly and deservedly equalised when Sean Toomey hit a powerful long-range shot passed Josh McLeod in the Highworth goal. Bassett went in front when Sean Toomey again scored, this time with a superb volley from a Robert Leighfield comer. Bassett allowed Highworth back into the game when, in the final seconds of the half, Simon Anderton in the Bassett goal failed to hold a powerful Highworth shot and the visitors scored from the resulting scramble.

In the second half Bassett were put under a lot of pressure by Highworth with the tall and physically strong Martin Curran dominating a lot of the visitors play. During this early period of the second half Highworth scored twice but Bassett to their credit did not give up and got themselves back into the match with yet another good goal, this time from Callum Snooks. Bassett also went close to equalising when a powerful Sean Toomey shot hit Stuart Smedley on the back and almost deflected into the Highworth net. Highworth extended their lead with two more goals but again Bassett kept playing well. Robert Leighfield volleyed over from close range and Josh McLeod pulled off a terrific save from the same player. For Bassett Phillip Forster and Nathan Douglas performed well in midfield and Tom Marchment and Daniel Strange put in a lot of work as the defence came under pressure in the second half. An excellent match despite the final result.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 3rd January 2021 at 18:44