Bassett Under 11's proved that there is no such thing as the "Chairman's curse" as they made it through to the quarter finals of the Under 11 knockout cup, despite the Club Chairman watching the whole of the second half. Playing at Rylands Way using the new portable goals for the first time, Bassett started off very brightly against opponents Ramsbury, with Phil Tearle and Matt Povey linking up well down the right hand side. Bassett had beaten Ramsbury 8-2 earlier in the season and a repeat of this score looked on in the early exchanges, as time and time again Phil Tearle was able to get behind the opposing full back and put over telling crosses. It was only a matter of time before Bassett got themselves ahead and it was Sean Toomey who had the honour, firing in from close range midway through the first half. Bassett let Ramsbury back into the match when a long ball over the top of the Bassett defence saw the Ramsbury striker out pace the Bassett back four and beat Tom Holmes with a powerful shot. This was Ramsbury's only real chance of the half but it was well taken. Bassett got their noses back in front when Phil Tearle hit a powerful shot from the right, which the keeper was unable to hold, and the ball looped into the net. Sean Toomey had the chance to make it 3-1 but unfortunately mishit his shot over the bar when confronted with an open goal. 2-1 at half time to Bassett.

The second half was a different story as Bassett's play became ragged and the visitors began to create more and more chances. However, both defences held firm and there were no further goals. A close match played on an excellent flat pitch, also with an excellent referee in Val Stockley who agreed to cover the match only at 1pm following the third "cry-off" of the season by the expected referee. Bassett are yet to see a referee at a home game that was actually appointed by the league.

Players MOM: Matthew Purse

Managers Man of the Match: Matthew Purse

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 24th December 2020 at 13:17