Bassett travelled to highflying Stratton expecting a very tough game, with both Matt Purse and David Lazenby missing. The home side were top of the league having won both their previous home games by 13 goals to 0. To say Bassett played well would be an understatement as they went close to causing an upset. Right from the off Bassett were fired up and got stuck into the opposition, not allowing them any time on the ball. Both sides created chances early on but, much to the shock of the large home crowd, it was Bassett who took the lead. Josh Dimond scored the goal following a fumble from a Bassett corner by the Stratton goalkeeper, Ashley Scrivens. This goal certainly gave Bassett confidence as both sides tried to make use of the big wide pitch. Stratton went close on two occasions, Henry Bird and Nick Peare both hitting the post, but at half time it was the visitors who led.

The score was to remain unchanged until mid-way through the second half. A Stratton player ran with the ball towards the Bassett goal unchallenged as the Bassett defence stood back off him allowing him to reach the edge of the area and take a shot. The ball travelled through a body of players and, Tom Holmes in the Bassett goal, saw the ball late and it crept into the far-right hand corner of the goal. Things were to get worse when Stratton were awarded a free kick just outside the Bassett box for handball. Nick Peare took the resulting free kick and a wicked bounce saw the ball fly into the Bassett net over the head of Tom Holmes. Bassett pushed forward for the equalizer and were denied what looked a blatant penalty in the closing stages when Phillip Tearle was upended in the box. Unfortunately for Bassett the referee saw nothing wrong with the challenge and Bassett were denied a last chance to get back into the match. Despite the defeat a brilliant all round team performance again which bodes well for the future. Bassett certainly gave the league leaders a scare. Whilst Stratton lead the table, Ferndale Rodbourne still remain the best side Bassett have met this season and it will be interesting to see how we get on against both them and Stratton in the return matches at our ground.

Players MOM and Managers Man of the Match: Whole team

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 24th December 2020 at 12:57