Today we played against newly promoted Abbey Meads, who were making a reasonable start to the season and were ahead of us in the table. The teams had not played each other before and were sizing each other up in the early exchanges. Then a move from Ollie on the right brought Alex into play in front of goal and he struck a shot wide of the keeper that appeared to be goal bound and Max followed up to make sure and gave Bassett the perfect start; a 1 nil lead.

Abbey Meads ran through into the Bassett half and forced a save from Declan. Tico took the ball down the right wing and got the ball into Max, whose shot went wide. Abbey Meads then broke out of their half quickly and Mitchell blocked a shot and then Declan was called upon to smother a further shot. Abbey Meads pressed and put in a dangerous cross that whistled across the front of the Bassett goal but fortunately no-one got to it. Max got forward from midfield and passed to Martin who forced a save. Mitch and Tico were solid in defence as Abbey Meads attacked in numbers and Tico got in an excellent block on a goal bound shot at the expense of a corner.

At the other end, Alex, Martin and Ollie combined to pressure the Abbey Meads goal and this resulted in a goal-mouth scramble with both Alex and Martin involved but the ball was cleared. Alex combined with Max, who ran down the wing and won a corner as Bassett applied the pressure. In defence, Mitchell continued to work hard to protect the goal as Abbey Meads attacked and Declan put his foot in to get the ball away in a dangerous situation.

On the right wing, Ollie made a number of attempts to get past his man and managed to pass him and get a shot in. Ollie then combined with Tico who ran into the box and got a good shot that the keeper had to fumble wide for a corner.

In defence, it was again Mitchell who put his head in and blocked a dangerous cross. Alex battled on the left and tackled back to try to maintain Bassett's forward momentum. Alex ran down the left wing and his cross was turned into the net by Martin before the keeper could get to it for a 2-0 Bassett lead. Bassett were now gaining in confidence as the first half came to an end.

The second half started with Bassett looking second best and an attack down the left from Abbey Meads led to the ball being turned in at the far post to make it 2-1. The nerves started to show as other than a shot from Alex, Abbey Meads took charge of the game and Bassett were living dangerously and had to defend in depth with Alex and Max lending a hand to Mitchell, Tico and Declan, who were working really hard.

Bassett did manage to make a break and Ollie got in a shot that was saved by their keeper. Martin was holding the ball up at the front and trying to get other players involved. Mitchell made a good clearance through to Ollie who picked it up and had a shot on goal. Abbey Meads were still in the game and in a flowing move they created a good opportunity but they shot over the bar when they should have scored.

Bassett were hanging on but showing good determination. Martin and Max combined well but the resulting shot did not trouble the keeper. Alex worked down the left and played the ball back to Ollie in space, who hit an excellent shot that the defender could only head into his own net for a 3-1 lead to Bassett. Could this really be the first league win for Bassett?

Abbey Meads never gave up and more defending was needed from Bassett. Tico got in a good tackle and Mitchell made a good block. Bassett won a free-kick when Martin was up-ended. From a lay-off from the free-kick, Max had a shot that went agonisingly just wide. Then Max passed to Ollie in space who hit a lovely shot that was heading for the top corner but it brought a great save from the keeper.

At the other end, Mitchell did some good jockeying and then got his foot in. Abbey Meads came again and shot wide with Bassett under pressure and Declan was called upon to make another save. Then Abbey Meads again came down the left wing and the ball was turned in to make it 3-2. With a few nervous minutes left, Bassett were again in danger of losing points.

Alex kept battling away and made a shot that earned a corner. Then Alex and Martin combined for Alex to make a shot that was blocked. The ball fell to Martin whose shot skewed wide just in front of goal. Fortunately, the whistle went soon afterwards and Bassett were elated and relieved in equal measures.

There were many good performances today. The defence of Mitchell and Tico coped with a lot of pressure and kept us in the match. Alex and Max worked tirelessly in the midfield and Ollie and Martin helped create chances up front. Declan put in an excellent goal-keeping performance and also thanks to Ben who was sub today but provided valuable support to the rest of the team.

Man of the Match – The Whole Team

Credit: Unknown
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 21:14