A beautiful day at Rylands way and with the pitch looking the best it′s been for some time it should be a good day for football. Bassett reserves were in good spirits after an impressive performance away to Cheltenham Saracens the previous week manager Mike Hartley and assistant Chris Jones went into the game against Hungerford with a renewed feeling of optimism.

After a cagey first five minutes Bassett settled and got into their normal passing game but it was a goal mouth scramble which lead to the first goal, Chris Hawkins increasing his reputation as a real goal poacher with a well placed shot into the bottom corner. The breakthrough just lifted the entire Bassett team and from that moment there was only going to be one winner.

Playing some of the best football seen at Bassett certainly this year which was giving the crowd some real entertainment, cutting through the Hungerford side effortlessly and threatening every time they gained possession. Hungerford just couldn′t cope with the powerful running of MaClearen and Jones and in a devastating spell of 15 minutes Bassett increased their lead through goals from Luke Jones, Justin Hyde and a second from Chris Hawkins putting the game out of reach. Hawkins completed his hat trick after a fantastic run from Simon Jones whose shot was blocked and Hawkins despatched on the volley into the bottom corner.

Hartley and Jones must have been delighted with the first forty five minutes but wanted the game played out in a professional manor so the question was could Bassett stay focused and continue the second half the way they finished the first.

Hungerford tried to raise their game and provided more of a threat but Bassett really found it hard to continue the football shown in the first half. A lack in concentration midway through the half gave them a glimmer of hope but this was extinguished with further strikes from Jack Dodd and a fourth for Hawkins.

Hartley said after the game "I′m pleased with the performance especially in the first half; it was a very impressive display from an improving squad". Speaking about his strike force "Chris Hawkins is developing into a real goal poacher and with Justin I believe that we have a player who can achieve so much, the other youngsters in the team are starting to feel more at home and it looks like a very bright future for the club. Chris and Myself have worked hard with the lads not just in training but also building belief and self confidence, we′re start to see the benefit of that hard work. It′s easy to think after a couple of good results that that′s it and the results will just happen, that′s not going to be the case and the players know that, everyone was disappointed with the goal we conceded and I know that they will focus on the next game and make sure that doesn′t happen again."

Man of the Match – Very difficult to give this to one person, Chris Hawkins for his four goals, Justin Hyde for his complete display, Jack Dodd for yet another wonderful display or Karl Spencer for an excellent debut. It′s going to go to Simon Jones for one of the best displays he′s produced so far this season.

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Friday 4th December 2020 at 09:18