This was Bassett's second real test of the season and with Stratton one of the teams looking for a high finish in the league this was set to be a good game. Stratton looked like a physical side from the off with key players looking very tall and no doubt disruptive.

From the off Bassett chased every ball, with Arron and Sam linking up well on the right hand side forcing an early Bassett corner. The corner was cleared well by Stratton, giving them the opportunity to break down the right. The ball was crossed into the Bassett goal mouth, and finally cleared by Jack off the goal line. Almost a disastrous start. Stratton looked like they had the upper hand forcing a corner. The corner was taken well, and the ball fell into the Bassett box, but was gathered safely by Joe. At this point Jack was on the ground holding his nose, which was now bleeding quite badly. It looked like Jack received an elbow for his troubles. Jack was replaced by Ben, Ben went onto the left, with Fraser dropping into central defence and Arron moving into central midfield. This was not the start that Bassett wanted. Then Bassett took the first goal, again Arron and Sam push the defence of Stratton Back, giving Jake an opportunity to put his foot through the ball, the ball is fired in, high, and goal bound, the ball bends over the Stratton goal keeper into the net. 'What a strike' or was it a cross? Who cares Bassett took the lead.

Bassett were now on top forcing Stratton back, I must say that the midfielder's of Fraser, Josh and the holding role of Scott, did not allow Stratton to get near the ball. Stratton attempted to be very physical but Bassett's passing game was just too good, and the one touch football was stunning to watch, creating gaps for Sam, Arron and Callum M to run through. Stratton could not get near Bassett's goal and started to shoot at distance but Joe had the long distance shots covered, making some positive catches. Then a break which was started by Scott who found Josh W, who made a good pass to Sam who played in Ben down the right. Ben forced himself goal bound, creating the space for the shot, Ben's shot was just wide. This was now end to end football with Stratton playing the ball over the top of midfield, but each time Regan, Callum G and Jake defended well keeping Stratton at bay.

Bassett again were back on top with Sam making space upfront attempting to break down the Stratton defence. Fraser plays in Arron on the right, who is sprinting goal bound, Arron pulls back his right foot to shoot and the Stratton defender makes a goal saving tackle. The ball is cleared only as far as Fraser who, like Jake, struck the ball goal bound with power and meaning, the ball flew into the back of the net. Bassett were now two up, with 10 minutes remaining of the first half. Jack was now back on in defence. Sam and Arron were causing problems time after time for the Stratton back four, a great ball played by Josh W, gave Sam one on one with the goal keeper, but the goal keeper makes a very good save. Then the third goal. Again Bassett won the ball in midfield, Scott played a perfect drop ball over the top of the Stratton defenders allowing Sam to pass the ball around the Stratton goal keeper with some ease. Bassett three up and half time looming. Callum M found some space on the left, forcing himself, past the defenders, then played a perfect pass into the Stratton goal area, Sam had a shot, but it was saved. Halftime Bassett 3 up.

Stratton came at Bassett hard in the first half, Joe was faced within a one on one with one of the Stratton attackers, Joe pulls off a great save and pushes the ball around the post for the corner. Then Bassett break, with Josh W passing the ball to Callum M on the left. Callum drives to the goal line and then crosses the ball, to a totally unmarked Sam who taps in his second. Bassett were now four up and looking very strong. Josh H was now on playing left back, he very quickly got involved making some very good tackles and playing the ball off to midfield.

Bassett dealt with the Stratton pressure when it came and were now back on top forcing Stratton back into their own half. Bassett won a corner with some good work from Ben, Jake took the corner, which was cleared straight to Fraser who put his right foot through the ball, but the ball went well over the cross bar, in fact I'm sure the ball can be found in the garden centre just off the A419? Callum M and Josh W worked very hard on the left, with Callum making some breaks which were flagged off-side, when clearly this was on-side. 'That's football I guess'. Callum M then, on-side, made a break down the left and managed to get the shot away the goal keeper saves but does not clear the ball away, the ball popped out to Ben who smacked the ball into the back of the net for Bassett's fifth.

Bassett were on top with Stratton not able to break down Bassett's defence, Regan and Jack, are very strong in the centre and every time Stratton attempted to break Jake, Regan, Josh or Jack would clear up, but also feed the ball back into midfield or down the wings, just perfect!

Then Stratton break down the right, a good pass plays in one of their attackers, who scores, what was a consolation goal. Bassett were still placing lots of pressure on Stratton and again Arron was causing Stratton problems on the right alongside Ben. With some very good one two's Arron found some space for the shot, but the shot was saved. Final score 1-5 to Bassett.

Today's game was very impressive indeed with some thumping tackles made in midfield to win the ball. Every player worked hard for a well deserved win against a very physical Stratton team. Our passing was of a very high standard and the running on and off the ball was tremendous, well done lads.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 19:46