Ballards Ash witnessed an excellent game of football on Sunday afternoon between two evenly matched sides. Both sides played fine passing football and what followed was a cracking game that was a credit to the Swindon & District League. The visitors from Cirencester started strongly and were rewarded just two minutes into the game. Bassett failed to clear a cross from the left, the ball bobbled and struck a Bassett defender on the hand and, before the ref had chance to blow for a penalty ,Tom Pedley had fired the ball into the net to give Stratton the lead. Bassett immediately responded and went close on eight minutes when Phil Tearle crossed and Jonny Aitkenhead's header was well saved by the Stratton keeper. Bassett created a number of chances, but Stratton remained dangerous on the break with the influential Alex Croft running the midfield for them. With half-time looming Bassett went close when Jonny Aitkenhead's goal bound header was cleared off the line by a Stratton defender.
Bassett started the second half desperately seeking an equaliser. In the first minute of the half Tom Marchment was put clean through but shot weakly straight at the keeper. Phil Tearle then fired just past the post and Tom Marchment hit the post with a powerful shot. Bassett's centre forward was not to be denied and headed an equaliser from a Jonny Aitkenhead corner. The same player then fired Bassett ahead with a powerful left foot shot on the turn into the corner of the net from a Jonny Aitkenhead pass. The visitors from Cirencester then poured forward in search of an equaliser. They hit the cross bar and created a number of other good chances. With five minutes remaining a Stratton corner was cleared by the Bassett defence but fell to Michael Long 25 yards out and his powerful shot gave Bassett keeper Craig Munday no chance. A wonderful goal to end a superb match that neither side deserved to lose. The game had also been played in a sporting fashion by both teams.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 19th November 2020 at 16:55
