It took around five minutes for both teams to settle down, and I must say that Bassett looked the most nervous, I guess in the back of their minds they could remember that Stratton pushed fours goals passed them when they last met. Bassett played into the wind in the first half, "boy was I pleased to have a woolly hat on, three jumpers and a water proof coat".

It was very even for the first ten minutes with both sides passing the ball around very nicely looking for the gaps but in the main there was very little to work on as both sides had a strong defence. The fist shot came from a great one two between Tyler and Callum, which opened up an opportunity for Callum to shoot, but the control was not quite there as the ball went wide of the target. Bassett were now on top of the game pushing Stratton very hard and pressing the Stratton players as soon as they had the ball. Then I must say against the run of play Stratton scored, a well worked pass gave an opening which was taken well. This was not the start we wanted, specifically knowing that Stratton are a strong physical side. Again Stratton break through midfield which allows a shot at goal, Joe has this well covered and safely catches the ball. Bassett′s defence of Jack, Scott and Josh were working well, with Josh taking the time to pass the ball well to the Bassett forwards on several occasions. Sam was working hard on the right contesting for each ball and managed to lay-off some very good passes to Tyler and Callum.

Then the leveller, Scott took a goal kick looking for Callum down the middle of the park, well that he says, the ball missed all the Stratton players, which left Callum with a one on one with the Stratton goal keeper, Callum as calm as you like pushed the ball to the right of the keeper to find the back of the net. Bassett were on their way back. Half time and its all level one all.

The second half saw Stratton attack Bassett forcing Scott to make an early block, which almost went into Bassett′s goal. Callum found some space down the left and managed to cross the ball, which found Sam but Sam could not find the touch to convert. Ben was running the right-hand side and also managed to cross the ball on several occasions, but again Bassett could not convert. Bassett had taken the game to Stratton, and Stratton could not clear their lines as the pressure was maintained. The ball came out to Jack who had a shot at distance but it was pushed over the crossbar by their goal keeper. Bassett had the upper-hand, there was no way that Stratton could keep protect their goal for ever. Then the goal of the game, an individual effort by Callum, again a great ball from Sam played into Callum and again a one on one with the goal keeper, there was only going to be one winner here, Callum shoots, and finds the back of the net. Bassett take the lead.

Then Stratton came back at Bassett and we had one of those "wobbly" moments, the ball was just outside Bassets goal area and the Bassett players stopped looking at the ball, which allowed three shots from Stratton in quick secession. All were blocked by either Scott or Jack but a very "Scary" moment. Joe was forced to make a good save pushing the ball around the upright on the final shot. We are now in the final minutes and Stratton shoot at goal which is again blocked by the defence, but the second shot forces the ball towards the left-hand corner of the goal, the ball is not travelling fast but it′s spinning, it′s hits the post and Joe just stops the ball from crossing the line. What a save. Final score 2-1 to Bassett.

In the past I have used words like "Did not want to win" well what a turn around, every one stepped up to the mark today battling hard for every ball. There was some very good individual play and some solid "team" defending, it′s was great to watch. Well done lads.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Sunday 27th December 2020 at 17:24