The game had a lively start with both teams competing for the ball. Bassett had to defend an early corner. Max put in a couple of brave headers before he was forced off with an injury. Tico made a run down the right and almost got a cross in behind the Highworth defence. Ollie made some runs and put the Highworth defence under pressure. Highworth made a break out of their area but it was thwarted by Reuben. Tico made a good run and crossed for Alex whose shot went wide.
Bassett kept Highworth penned in their half of the field and earned a corner. At the other end Declan, making his debut in goal for Bassett came out well to smother the ball in his area. Bassett pressed again and Reuben caught a shot that tested their keeper, who fumbled it wide for a corner. Alex put the corner in and Tico met it at the near post to earn a goal and put Bassett a deserved one nil up.
In defence, Mitchell and then Martin were called upon to make tackles to stop Highworth advancing. Alex ran the ball out of defence into the Highworth area but was crowded out by the Highworth defence when Ollie was free in space. Bassett continued to press and earned a corner. Then Mitchell combined with Tico to get the ball up to Alex with a good long pass. Mitchell again put in a good long pass to Alex in the box for a shot but it went wide.
From a good Bassett corner, Alex made a shot that was blocked and then Martin got to the rebound but his shot was wide. Then came a well worked move, Alex laid off the ball to Tico who passed the ball into the path of Reuben for a shot that went just over the bar and drew applause from the spectators. Bassett were finishing the half on top as Reuben passed to Alex whose shot was gathered by the keeper as Ollie ran in to pick up the pieces.
The first half was positive and Bassett deserved their lead. The second half started with Alex and Ollie pressing. Ollie knocked the ball past the big Highworth defender and ran in behind and got the ball in for Tico in front of goal, but luck was not with us.
Ollie hit a decent shot that needed a good save by the keeper and earned Bassett a corner. Bassett pressed for the second goal and got caught up field as the Highworth striker raced away with the ball and made it 1-1.
Tico made a good saving tackle and then he combined well with Reuben in the midfield but Highworth were gaining in confidence and Mitchell was called on to make a last ditch tackle. Highworth pressed and Martin had to head the ball over his own crossbar to keep the ball out.
From a corner, Highworth got a flick on at the near post and the ball went in the Bassett net to make it 2-1. The boys were now deflated. Mitchell went off with a knock and Max and Topps came on. Highworth were buoyant and their large squad had allowed then to make changes. Bassett needed a goal and pressed up field but Highworth liked to attack on the break, and Declan was called upon to make a good save. Highworth earned a corner and although it was dealt with at the near post, Highworth hit home the loose ball for 3-1.
Bassett urged themselves into action and Max got a shot in that was saved by the keeper. Highworth made a break down the right and the cross in ricocheted over their player and in for a fluky number 4. Ollie came on for Martin leaving Topps to man the defence which he did well. Highworth were given a free-kick in a dangerous area. In a training ground manoeuvre, Highworth dummied the free-kick to disperse the Bassett wall and the resulting shot flew into the top corner to make it 5.
Bassett were the best team in the first half but Highworth reorganised and after the equalizer Bassett heads went down. Bassett really did nothing wrong but found themselves again on the wrong end of a flattering score line. Contenders for man of the match were Declan who had an excellent debut in goal and Tico who scored his first goal but MOTM goes to Reuben for his all round performance.
Man of the Match – Reuben Querzani-Southan
Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 21:13
