It does not get any better than this as Bassett came back from two goals down to defeat league champions Ferndale Rodbourne. The visitors had put eight goals both Stratton Youth and Wroughton in their first two matches and must have thought a similar score was on as errors from Bassett gave them a 2-0 lead, albeit against the run of play. Bassett continued to play the better football and competed for every challenge as though they were in a cup final. Their tenacity was rewarded when Jonny Aitkenhead scored with a powerful twenty yard shot into the top corner, a superb goal which Bassett's play deserved. Things got even better for Bassett when Phil Tearle netted the equaliser midway through the half. Ferndale then went back in front when dangermen Josh Henshall and Adam Leighfield linked up with the latter firing home from close range two minutes before the break. Once again this came against the run of play, but Bassett did not let their heads drop and continued to push forward. An excellent ball from Phil Tearle found Tom Marchment on the left-hand side of the Ferndale box and he fired past the keeper to once again level the scores. With time running out the same two players linked up with the same result, a second goal for Bassett, two in a minute and instead of going in at half time trailing Bassett now found themselves in front for the first time in the match.

Having witnessed some second half disasters in recent seasons (e.g. Stratton Juniors) the fear was that Bassett would again show their inconsistency, but the children had other things on their mind today. Right from the off Bassett showed they meant business and continued to fight for every challenge and loose ball. Special mention to the hard-working midfield of Josh Dimond, Sean Toomey, Stuart Smedley, Shaun Mochan and Jonny Aitkenhead who were just tremendous all match. A first half defensive error apart, the back three of Dan Strange, Mike Ford and David Lazenby handled the dangerous Ferndale strikers, Leighfield and Henshall. Up front for Bassett, Ferndale continued to struggle to handle the skill of Phil Tearle and the strength of Tom Marchment. Indeed, Phil Tearle nearly extended the lead further when he was put through one and one and lobbed the keeper only to see the ball come back off the post. The same player did, however, lay on a fifth for Bassett, teeing up Stuart Smedley who fired into the net to give Bassett a 5-3 lead. Things got even better when Phil Tearle, who had given the Ferndale defence a torrid time all afternoon, beat two Ferndale defenders to the ball, beat the keeper and then unselfishly crossed for Tom Marchment for a simple tap-in; 6-3 and thoroughly deserved. Ferndale scored a consolation goal in injury time but it was all too late for last years champions and favorites for the title. A superb performance by Bassett based on hard work and some excellent passing, two things unfortunately missing from the First Team yesterday (Nathan Hall excepted).

Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 19th November 2020 at 16:40