It was clear that this was the game of the weekend, which was confirmed by the attendance of manages from other teams! I guess we all knew this was going to be a tough game and Bassett needed to be on top form to pass the test.

Wickham Wanderers started the game very strongly, playing the ball over the top of our midfield players for their forwards to run onto. For the first 5 minutes it was end to end football with some big tackles going in from both sides. Wickham Wanderers had the first attempt on goal but their shot went wide. Wickham Wanderers were stronger than Bassett in midfield, they just seemed to have more players! Then they broke from midfield, and then to their right, the cross comes into the Bassett box, for what was an easy tap in. Wickham Wanderers take the lead. After the kick off Basset came straight back pushing Wickham Wanderers back into their own half, and some good work by Jake who played in Josh W whose shot was just wide. Bassett were playing their passing game but Wickham Wanderers were pressurising all of Bassett's ball carriers not allowing any time on the ball. Fraser found some space and again the shot is saved. Then the move of the first half, Fraser passed to Callum M, Callum worked hard to fined the space to get the pass into Sam, Sam shoots but the shot is saved. Then the moment that the match was changed. Wickham Wanderers was awarded a penalty, the tackle was fair but also outside the box, 'I guess that's football'. Wickham Wanderers hit the back of the net and move to a 2-0 advantage. The Bassett back four of Jake, Regan, Jack and Scott were tested many times as the ball came through midfield and the four needed to defend very well in what was a very testing game. But also the defence of Wickham Wanderers was very strong not allowing our forwards to break. Tyler found some space and played a ball into Sam, Sam shoots, but was under pressure and shoots wide. Bassett did push Wickham Wanderers back specifically down the left through Callum M and Josh W, they worked hard as a unit. A good ball from Scott played into the feet of Callum, Callum passed to Sam who shoots, but it hits the post. Arron worked hard on the right but could not find the gaps to break down their defence.

Wickham Wanderers won a corner, and the corner is struck well, a goal mouth scramble allows Wickham Wanderers to shoot, Joe saves but gets a kick in the face for his troubles. Then Wickham Wanderers third, a ball over the top allows the shot, the ball fly's into the top corner for Wickham's third. Bassett won three corners in a row but could not convert them into goals. All 50-50 balls were going Wickham Wanderers way it just was not going to be Bassett's day!

Bassett were much stronger in the second half. The team started to battle for every ball and were pushing Wickham Wanderers back into their own half. Then Wickham Wanderers break, but Jack clears the ball well. Then Bassett break, allowing Fraser to shoot at distance, but the Wickham Wanderers goal keeper saves. There was a level of frustration creeping into the game as Bassett could not break down their defence. Ben was working the right hand, but like Arron could not find the space to break down the Wickham Wanderers defence. With ten minutes remaining the team is changed, Max is on playing in the holding midfield role with Jake off, Bassett are now playing 3 at the back. I must say this helped as we started to win more 50-50 balls in the middle of the park. Josh H came on and Scott came off and typically Josh he tackled well. Bassett placed some pressure on Wickham Wanderers but again their defence stood strong. Ben for the first time worked the right had side, and managed to get the cross in, but the ball is too close to the goal keeper, who picks the ball up with no trouble. Final score 0-3 to Wickham Wanderers.

I guess a loss had to come at some stage, the league race is going to be tough. I feel in the first half we were out muscled and we sat back inviting Wickham Wanderers to come onto us at times. They had three chances at goal and took them well. The penalty was not a penalty, but I guess you need to be in the box to earn them. However the second half was a much better performance with all the team fighting for every ball. I know that we are all feeling a little deflated right now, but let's use this to motivate us to come bouncing back next weekend.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 19:58