Lydiard Youth were this week's opponents for our fourth League game of the season, which was played at Ballards Ash. We knew today's match would be a good chance for us to gauge whether or not we have improved as a team, as last season we were quite a way behind this team. Lydiard are a very strong and well-organised side with some very good individual players who manage to play well as a team, as we have also been doing this season.

The game started with a lot of pressure from Lydiard but we managed to contain them and then push on and create our own chances. After spending most of the half cancelling each other out Lydiard made a quick attack which resulted in the first goal of the match to send us into half time 1-0 down.

After a good chat at half time we started the second half in confident mood and for the first 5-10 minutes we were the better side creating a few good chances but unfortunately we didn't manage to take them unlike Lydiard who then made a break against the run of play and scored. It was now a test of our character, could we come back from 2-0 down? The answer was yes and the lads took the game by the scruff of the neck and started to pile on the pressure. First it was Josh's turn to go close when he rattled the crossbar for the second week in a row, next it was Max's turn when he found himself unmarked in the area but his shot went just wide. Then came Bassett's first goal, Martin who was having one of his best games so far struck a loose ball just inside the Lydiard half which flew like a rocket straight into the top corner. Now it was game on as Bassett continued to push for the equalizer and within a few minutes it came, Kalum won the ball inside the Lydiard penalty area and made no mistake with a good turn and shot. At this point Bassett looked to be in control but Lydiard were always dangerous and when they came forward in numbers we sometimes struggled to contain them and an unfortunate mistimed tackle in the area resulted in a penalty, which they made no mistake with. We didn't let this get to us though and worked harder than ever to try and get something out of the game. With a late penalty appeal of our own for handball turned down in the final minutes we were very unlucky not to get at least a draw.

The result went against us this week but the way we battled and our never say die attitude was a credit to every single player. Well-done lads!!!

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Monday 21st December 2020 at 17:47