Today was the first round in the Cup and the A team were drawn against Swindon Robins A, who are newly promoted to the North league and would be tough opposition. The game started brightly with both teams playing at a high tempo.

Bassett created the early pressure, Alex passing the ball to Scott, whose shot was just wide. More pressure earned us a corner with Reuben getting a shot in. Robins came straight back and got through the defence into the penalty area only for Mitchell in goal to put in an excellent block with his foot.

Reuben was working hard in midfield. Alex made a good cross to Ollie on the right in the penalty box but the shot went just wide. Robins came back as the game flowed from end to end and Tom Titcombe (Tico) put in a good interception to break up the Robins attack. Tom Topping (Topps) was also playing solidly in the middle of the defence and making good clearances as the Robins team attacked in numbers.

It looked like Bassett were weathering the pressure but then the ball came loose in the penalty area for a Robins player to find the net for the first goal. Robins continued to attack with a shot grazing the outside of the post and later good work from Mitchell pushed their striker wide to shoot off target.

There was more pressure in the Bassett box leading to Robins' 2nd goal. Bassett responded and Tico found himself in the box to get a shot in. Topps did more good covering work and then Ollie put Scott in for our best chance of the game so far that required a finger-tip save from the keeper when we all thought that we had scored.

After the half-time break, Bassett survived more Robins pressure and Mitchell made another good save. From a Robins free-kick, Bassett broke free with Scott and Ollie combining to get a shot on the keeper.

Max came on as sub and almost immediately made an impact with a run down the right wing and a good pass to Scott who finished off with a shot under the keeper. Bassett were back in the match at 2-1 . Bassett now pressed for the second goal and the match appeared to be turning in our favour. Tico made some good runs down the right flank and Reuben had a couple of shots from distance.

Just as Bassett looked to getting the upper hand, a Robins player found some space and unchallenged hit a long shot that went in off the bar giving Robins a 3-1 lead. Bassett still pressed to make up the deficit and Tico put a cross in that saw our strikers tangle with the keeper. Max put Alex in for a header which unfortunately went wide.

Bassett had more defending to do as Robins sensed they were going to win and our defence became out-numbered. A free-kick was well defended by Alex in the wall and later Topps put in a good defensive header but as the team tired, Robins finished off with a fourth and then fifth goal just before the whistle.

Man of the Match – Alex Dinsmore

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 21:07