From the off Lydiard were very physical and Bassett looked a little rusty in all areas. The first break was by Lydiard forcing Joe to make a very good save, "Was this the game that would eliminate Bassett from the Cup?" "Not a chance. Bassett came straight back with a well worked break down the right by Arron forcing the corner. Bassett spent 10 minutes camped in the Lydiard half, but Lydiard did look a little dangerous on the break, the "unattractive" ball over the top was their strategy but each time this was dealt with by Regan and Jack. Callum M challenged for a header and got an elbow in the mouth, splitting his lip, for his efforts, at the same time Scott came off with an ankle injury and was replaced by Callum G. Bassett were pushing Lydiard back and it was Bassett's first set of good passing which setup the first goal. Fraser won the ball in midfield, and passed to Josh W, Josh passed the ball to Callum M on the left, who took the ball down the wing, the ball was crossed and half cleared by the Lydiard defenders, again Fraser won the ball, and passed the ball back to Josh W, Josh struck the ball as clean as you like into the top right hand corner of the Lydiard goal. Bassett take the lead. The goal took some of the pressure off Bassett and their passing game started to appear. Arron found some space on the right and managed to get the shot away, but it was saved by the Lydiard goal keeper. The defence of Lydiard were strong at times and managed to prevent some of the Bassett attacks, which lead to frustration, which could be seen on the faces of the Bassett's players. A good ball from Sam played in Tyler, Tyler was one on one with the keeper but the keeper makes the save. Some very good one two's between Josh W and Arron put pressure on Lydiard backs, Arron found some space and smacked the ball goal bound, but their goal keeper pulled off a good save pushing the ball around his posts for the corner. Josh H, again was strong supporting both Arron and Fraser playing some very good one touch football in triangles on the right. Half time score 1-0 Bassett.

Sorry I can't resist "but this was a game of two half's". Bassett came out in the second half taking the game to Lydiard and scored within 20 seconds of the whistle being blown. Arron played a pass to Ben, Ben drove the ball down the right and played a great cross into the Lydiard box, Sam managed to get on the end of the cross to tap the ball into the back of the net. 2-0 to Bassett. Then straight after the restart, Callum crosses the ball from the left for Sam, Sam shoots, but hits the post. The ball was not cleared very well and there was a goal mouth scramble, which allowed Arron to work some space which allowed Arron to thump the ball into the back of the net for Bassett's third. Right now Lydiard had no answers to Bassett's attacks. Callum G was playing a strong game in the left back position, supported by some strong tackles and some good "heads up" passing to Callum M and Josh W. Jake supported Ben very well thumping the ball into Lydiard's danger area, only like Jake can. Bassett break through Arron, Arron plays a ball to Sam, Sam is one on one with the Lydiard goal keeper, taking the ball around the goal keeper, and managed to get the shot away, but the Lydiard defenders got back to clear the ball away from their goal line. Then Bassett's fourth, Ben and Fraser worked well on the right, Fraser managed to get the cross away, leaving Sam a tap in.

Bassett's passing was better now, but it was not helped by the heavy ground conditions. Then the move of the day, Josh ran with the ball through midfield and laid the ball off to Sam, played a one touch pass to Arron who smacked the ball underneath the Lydiard goal keeper for Bassett's fifth. All the defenders played well putting in the big tackles, one of which Regan came off worse and fell to the ground. Bassett mounting pressure on Lydiard and they could not respond, Tyler played a well weighted ball to Fraser, who cracked the ball into the back of the net for Bassett's sixth. Then a good individual effort by Tyler, Tyler finds himself in some space and beats the Lydiard goal keeper for Bassett's seventh. With five minutes remaining the team still push forward, the commitment is strong in the team, this is confirmed by a run by Arron, Arron chased a ball which was a 50-50 with the Lydiard goal keeper. Both players, like steam trains, arrive at the ball at the same time, but Arron takes the hit, as the Lydiard goal keeper leads with his studs! Arron comes off. Final score 7 – 0 to Bassett.

Bassett looked a little rusty today, which is not helped by the lack of games over the last three weeks but also the pitch conditions. A great win which takes us through to the semi finales, well done.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 19:55