This match was the first 11'a side game that the Bassett lads had played together as a team. Whilst most of the children had already played 11'a side matches for their schools; it came as a very pleasant surprise how the side adapted from playing small-sided matches to the full-sized game. On a pitch ideal for children's introduction to the proper game, with medium sized goal and a pitch size appropriate to the age of the children, Bassett played some excellent passing football which received a lot of praise from the home crowd after the match.

Bassett exploited the full width of the pitch well, with Callum Snooks in superb form down the right-hand side and the front two of Sean Toomey and Phil Tearle looking very lively up front. Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the match was how the side kept its shape, especially in defence. Before the game I had visions of the outfield players all going round in a large pack chasing the ball and all wanting to play in attack, but Bassett did not do this, putting together some fine passing moves. It was from one such move that Bassett took the lead, captain Sean Toomey finding the back of the net following good work from Nathan Douglas and Phil Tearle. Callum Snooks extended the lead when he fired home the second direct from a retaken free kick. The referee had asked that the kick be retaken after Callum had initially crossed for Tom Marchment to head home, unfortunately for Tom the referee had not blown his whistle and asked for the kick to be taken again which Callum promptly put straight into the goal!

Bassett scored two further goals in the second half, Mike Ford and Phil Tearle finding the back of the net. Special mention to the defence of Simon Anderton, Daniel Strange, Stuart Smedley, William McCurrach and Robert Leighfield who played excellent throughout and already show the makings of a good defensive unit, denying Cricklade any real goalscoring opportunities. A special thank you to Gary Winfrey of Cricklade for putting this match on at short notice and for refereeing it so well. Bassett have asked Cricklade to visit Rylands Way for a small sided much later in the season and the two sides will play another 11'a side game at Cricklade in April.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Sunday 3rd January 2021 at 15:05