Last Sunday Rylands Way witnessed a classic match between the Under 9's and Under 10's in the first outing for both the two sides in the new Millennium. Whatever Terry said in his team talk before the match the Under 9's came out playing like a team possessed. The younger side were easily the better side in the early exchanges, playing some excellent football, creating more goalscoring chances and easily dealing with anything the older boys could throw at them. The only surprise was that at half time they had no goals to show for all their hard work.

It was no surprise, therefore, when George Drewitt put the Under 9's in front early in the second half much to the delight of the parents of the younger children. This goal seemed to finally awaken the older children from their slumber and Mike Ford put the Under 10's back on level terms. However, the Under 9's continued to have much of the play and went back in front with a goal from Chris Edwards. The atmosphere in the crowd was now quite intense as the parents of the two sides, who are normally the closest of friends, became intense rivals, although the banter remained good natured.

Joy or relief, I'm not sure which, for the parents of the Under 10's when the hard-working Josh Dimond found the back of the net to level matters midway through the half, his first ever goal for Bassett. In the dying minutes the extra strength of the older children began to tell, and Mike Ford scored a third for the Under 10's past Chris Smith in the Under 9's goal. This was not to be the end of the drama, in the closing minutes the Under 9's were presented with an opportunity to draw level from the penalty spot but a brilliant save by Tom Holmes in the Under 10 goal ensured that the victory went to the older boys.... but only just! Hopefully the Under 9's will play the same way again this week. If they do it will be hard to see them losing.

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Saturday 2nd January 2021 at 20:35