The first thing to point out was that the pitch was not marked out, the only white lines we could see was on the main road some 200 yards away. The second point here was the quality of their pitch, the best way to describe it was if you could imagine an area with sand dunes, then someone laid turf over the top, that was the pitch! A decision was taken to play the game between cones with the parents helping with the line calls.

The Robins are always a physical team and today was not different they quickly found their stride passing the ball well and to feet. Against the run of play Bassett broke with Callum, Callum managed to cross the ball towards Ben, but Ben could not find the control to strike the ball goal bound. Robins responded with a ball over the top which found their forward, a shot at distance which Joe saved with some ease. Bassett then went at the Robins hard with some good passing between Sam and Callum, Callum was brought down earning Bassett a Free kick. Tyler took the free kick striking the ball well, the ball hit the cross bar. As the ball was cleared Sam had a bouncing ball which he hit on the volley, goal bound forcing the keeper to make a good save. Bassett′s defence of Scott and Jack were strong clearing the ball with distance on most occasions. Scott was forced to play defensive headers on many occasions beating the Robins attackers to the ball.

At this point the game was quite even with end to end football. Then the Robins found a second gear playing some good football which placed a lot of pressure on Bassett′s defence. Robins found some space and hit a very powerful shot goal bound, Joe saves with a flat hand and the ball bent his wrist back, this gave Joe pain through the remainder of the game. Robins br`oke down the right forcing a corner, the corner was taken well, allowing their forward to header in their first goal. Bassett were now one down. Bassett had their opportunities but could not convert them Ben, Sam, Callum and Tyler all had shots on goal but they were not on target or saved. At half time 1-0 to the Robins.

The second half and Bassett levelled within the first five minutes. Ben found some space down the right wing and managed to get a cross in, which Tyler converted for the goal. Back to all square. The Robins came straight back at Bassett with a similar cross which was headed onto Bassett′s cross bar, at this point Joe again was in the wars as their attacker landed on Joe′s foot. Then again Ben broke down the right going through the defence of the Robins, Ben was then "chopped" down within the area, and "Penalty" was the cry. The Ref gave a free kick! "Outrageous" The free kick was blocked and the game continued. The Robins were now on top of the game placing lots of pressure on Bassett. Then a defensive mistake, the ball was struck by the Robins towards Bassett′s goal, Scott left the ball and Joe could not stop it from going into the back of the net, a very soft goal. Robins now lead 2-1. Scott found himself at the back with three Robins attackers, as cool as you like he took the ball away from the attacker, then played a great ball from the back to the feet of Ben who laid the ball off to Callum, who had a shot at goal, but it was saved. With only 5 minutes remaining Robins earn themselves a corner, the corner again was taken well, and headed into the back of the Bassett goal. Final Score 3-1 to the Robins.

The pitch was awful, there was not a white line to be seen, and the penalty that never was, the lads deserved a draw as they worked hard throughout the game.

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