Bassett Under 13's returned to winning ways with a hard-fought victory at Maunsell Way. This game was much closer than the final score would suggest. Wroughton, with the wind behind their backs, had much of the first half possession but were unable to turn this possession into goals. The lively Andy Sofrianou gave Dan Strange a tough game back after 6 weeks out, but Dan played well, and this match will have done wonders in terms of helping him back to match fitness. Despite defending for much of the half Bassett did create a number of chances in the first period, indeed they hit the woodwork three times; Jonny Aitkenhead hitting the bar with a shot on 7 minutes, Tom Marchment clipping the angle of post and bar on 11 minutes and Dean Wason the post a minute later. 0-0 at the break and with the wind behind them in the second half Bassett were optimistic of securing all three points.
It did not take long for the deadlock to be broken. In the very first minute of the half Phil Tearle hit the bar with a terrific shot and a minute later a ball into the near post was turned into the net by the lively Tom Marchment. Bassett began to get on top just after the goal but when a second did not arrive they allowed Wroughton to once again dominate possession. With Jonny Aitkenhead moved back and Josh Dimond on in the centre of midfield Bassett sought to hold onto the 1-0 lead. Bassett's defence dealt comfortably with the Wroughton strikers but still allowed the home side too much of the ball. It was against the run of play that Bassett extended their lead, Tom Marchment again the scorer this time after he was put in the clear by Dean Wason in the 60th minute. Bassett extended their lead a minute later when Phil Tearle caught James Moore in the Wroughton goal way off his line following a poor clearance and lobbed him from 35 yards out. Tom Marchment completed his hat-trick 5 minutes from time to make it 4-0 to Bassett. Two minutes from time a Stuart Smedley cross come shot was volleyed into the net by Shaun Mochan to round off a good win after two disappointing cup defeats. There was still time for former Bassett player Matt Purse to hit the Bassett bar when clean through on goal. A final score of 5-0 Bassett, three points and a clean sheet leaving Bassett still in second place but having played more games than anyone else. All credit to Wroughton who kept going and did not deserve to be on the end of such a heavy score line. Bassett's man-of-the match was Jonny Aitkenhead who battled from start to finish both in midfield and defence.
Credit: Mark Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 19th November 2020 at 17:10
