The most entertaining match of our season so far where, despite the boggy conditions, both teams battled to produce some exciting, free flowing and committed football. Bassett started the first half the better and pushed Cricklade back into their area for long periods, the away teams midfield working particularly hard. As the game wore on, however, the home team began to gain the upper hand and were the the first to score from an in-swinging corner which deceived keeper Scott Smedley. Bassett redoubled their efforts and were rewarded after 25 minutes when a hard working Tom James broke free and, with his initial shot being saved, followed up to slot the ball home. Both sides began to cancel each other out in this period and chances were at a premium as the play became compressed in the trench like mud in the middle. As the first half neared the end, a break by a Cricklade forward led to a shot by him which squeezed inside the post and led to the sides turning around with the score 2-1.
The early stages of the second half belonged to Cricklade, attacking down both flanks, most successfully down the right. Within 10 minutes they had scored twice and seemed to be cruising to a easy victory with a score line which was undeserved. Throwing caution to the wind, Bassett changed to three up front and were almost immediately rewarded with a goal by Wayne Matthews when the Cricklade keeper dropped the ball at his feet for an easy tap in, raising hopes of a fight back. Such hopes were short lived as Cricklade hit back to make the score 5-2 from yet another corner. The rest of the match belonged to Bassett who tore into the home side, looking for at least a point from the match. Hopes again rose when Martyn Anderton lobbed the keeper to bring the score to 5-3, a goal well deserved for his efforts up front all morning. A second goal from Tom James with 10 minutes to go brought the score to 5-4 and even a win seemed in reach as excitement on the touchline reached fever pitch. Despite chances on both sides, the score, remarkably, remained unchanged. A match which was a credit to both both teams and coaches, played in the correct spirit and with no quarter given or taken. Christmas hats were worn in the warm up before the match and if a hot head leads to this sort of performance, then it may become a permanent feature, even in March!!! Footnote for the New Year training schedule, more practice defending corners needed.
Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Saturday 28th November 2020 at 12:59
