The first thing to note was the pitch size, which was small in size with matching goals, the ground was very uneven specifically towards the club house end. The game kicked off and Shaw came out very quickly pushing Bassett back. Scott played a ball into Fraser, Fraser went around the defender and shot, the shot went wide of the intended target. Now Bassett had found the urgency required, pushing Shaw back and back they went. Then a great through ball to Tyler, Tyler works the ball well and shoots, goal. The ref blows his whistle and points to the centre spot, then the Shaw parents point out the off side flag was raised some 30 seconds after the goal had been awarded. Then the ref pulled play back for the off side. "Robbed". Bassett maintained the pressure with what can only be called a great team effort. Shaw break and find the space to shoot from distance, Joe is up for the challenge and saves. Shaw take the corner and again Joe saves. Jake, Ben and Arron are working had down the right side which was supported by Tyler up front, the combination was working well. Then the break through, Scott takes a throw-in and drops the ball onto Fraser, Fraser passes the ball into Arron, Arron cracks the ball into the back of the Shaw net, "what a sweet feeling". Bassett take the lead. I must say the back four of Scott, Regan, Jack and Jake were playing great football defending strongly but fair. Josh W on the left made good runs down the left again supported by Tyler who was the single forward. Callum M was playing in the centre feeding the balls from our defence to our running forward and midfield players. Shaw did not give our midfield players much time on the ball, this exaggerated by the small size of the pitch.

Bassett are on top of the game, passing the ball well, Fraser and Arron link well allows Arron to find some space and shoots from distance but the ball goes just wide. Then the turning point of the game, Shaw break down Bassett's right, Shaw's forward is 10 feet off side, the lines man flags and I called over to the ref who waves play on, as at the time Bassett had the ball, the ball was lost within 5-6 seconds of the off side call. Then Shaw shoot and find the back of the Bassett net which brings the game back to level. All square at half time one a piece.

Bassett started the second half with the same passion and drive which was seen in the first half. Ben was into the game very quickly, playing a good ball into the feet of Arron, Arron finds Josh W who drives goal bound, but the Shaw defender tackles well. The entire team is battling very well looking to win every ball, I must also say there were some fantastic headers from balls which had gone around the moon, brave lads. A good ball from Fraser found Tyler, Tyler shoots but the ball fly's over the cross bar. Shaw then break and shoot, Joe saves forcing the corner, the corner is taken well and Joe punches the ball away through the crowded box. Shaw was on top playing down the right a good tackle by Jack forced a second corner, two now within five minutes of each other. The corner is taken and Shaw find the back of the net from a header, and take the lead. Bassett have 19 minutes to pull this back. Substitutions are made Max is on and Callum M is off, Jake is swapped with Josh H. Josh is straight into the game making strong tackles winning the ball well as only Josh can do. Tyler is replaced by Sam. Then the leveller, Fraser plays in Josh W who works the space and shoots and finds the back of the Shaw net. Two all with only five minutes remaining. Max is battling hard in midfield winning the ball but also defending when required. Bassett push Shaw back through Ben and Arron on the right, Bassett win a corner which Arron takes. Arron takes the corner but Shaw clear, to Scott, Scott winds up his right foot and strikes the ball over the top of the goal. Shaw then break again down Bassett's right, and find the space to shoot, Joe watches the ball go over his cross bar. Shaw break again, but the break is stopped by Max who plays a ball into Scott, Scott cracks the ball goal bound, Ben jumps up and gets his head to the cross, the ball hits the cross bar and bounces out. Fraser picks up the ball strikes the ball goal bound, but the Shaw keeper saves. For the last 5 minutes of the game, it was end to end football. Final score 2-2.

All the lads kept their heads high today, they played great football a credit to WBTFC. Bassett were the better team today, unlucky but well done.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:04