This was a game for the league title race; it was going be very physical and highly charged with emotion. There was a cold wind and the pitch was very un-even and hosted a slope down to one corner.
The game kicked off with end to end football both teams testing each other, both Ben and Arron were working well on the right both Ben making those runs down the right wing. It was becoming very clear that Wickham Wanderers strategy was to kick the ball over the top of midfield and attempt to run onto the bouncing ball. In the main Fraser, Arron, Callum M, Scott, Regan, Jack dealt with the high ball well placing their head through the ball to clear their lines. At this point of the game the play was down our left and on many occasions Scott put his foot well through the ball to clear his lines. I thought at times we were bunching jumping up for the same ball and no one was looking for the second ball. Callum M found himself in the mix fighting for scraps, but as soon as Wickham Wanderers won the ball back they would loft it over the top. Josh H did see the ball on the right and played some great passes off to both Arron and Ben, this was supported by some typical good strong tackles. The game was very even at this point with no team testing the goal keepers, then Bassett break a great ball from Fraser found Ben on the right, Ben drives goal bound and shoots, but the ball just goes wide. Wickham Wanderers come straight back working the ball through midfield and shoot from distance, Joe catches the ball confidently. Wickham Wanderers continued to attempt to run through Scott, who was supported by Regan and Callum, in the main Bassett defended well. Josh W was screaming for the ball on the left. But it just did not come, and on the occasion it did he found himself with two defenders on him. This was now an end to end game and Bassett break and earn themselves a free kick. Tyler strikes the ball goal bound the Wickham Wanderers goal keeper saves. Again Wickham Wanderers break, working the ball down our left, our defenders back off for that split second and the cross is made, the Wickham Wanderers forward unmarked taps the ball passed Joe. Wickham Wanderers take the lead.
Wickham Wanderers are now pushing Bassett back and earn a corner, the corner is taken well and is not cleared, and Wickham Wanderers toe poke the ball goal bound thankfully Joe saves. Half time score 1-0 to Wickham Wanderers.
The second half commenced in the same way the first half finished end to end football by both teams. Scott had taken a knock in the first half which he did not recover from, so Jake came on as the replacement. Wickham Wanderers again were pushing Bassett back attacking down our right forcing Josh and Jack to make some good tackles to keep us in the game. A good ball from Fraser finds Tyler, Tyler is tackled unfairly and earns the free kick. Tyler cracks the ball over the Wickham Wanderers wall, goal bound, but their goal keeper pushes the ball around the post for the corner. Jake steps up for the corner, and bends the ball into goal mouth but Wickham Wanderers clear their lines. Wickham Wanderers attack down Bassett's right forcing themselves into the Bassett box, Fraser "fairly" shoulder to shoulder barges their attacker, who was awarded a penalty. The penalty was struck well and went into the bottom right hand corner side of Joe's goal. Wickham Wanderers are now two up. Sam is now on replacing Callum M. Our formation has changed to 4,4,2. Both Jack and Regan defend well throughout the game specifically as Wickham Wanderers attacked with numbers. Wickham Wanderers were awarded a free kick which was taken well, the ball was flicked on and heading towards Joe's goal, but Joe's up to the challenge and catches the ball cleanly.
Max is now on replacing Josh H as Bassett are now playing 3 at the back? Then the save of the day for me, Wickham Wanderers break and Joe finds himself one on one with the attacker, Joe runs out of his goal forcing the attacker to shoot, Joe manages to put his finger tips on the ball to push the ball just wide of the Bassett goal. Then Bassett break, a great ball from Jake to Tyler, from Tyler to Josh, Josh runs goal bound but is tripped in the box, "a certain penalty" Josh, somehow stays on his feet and cross the ball, the referee plays advantage but Wickham Wanderers clear their lines and almost score in the Bassett half. (After the game the referee admitted he'd made a mistake and should have awarded the penalty). Bassett have found some form now and start to attack the Wickham Wanderers goal, a great ball from Arron finds Sam in some space, and Sam shoots and hits the goal keeper full on, the ball deflects back into the path of Sam who cracks in shot number two, but the ball hits the post. Wickham Wanderers break and from some 15-20 meters crack a ball which finds the top corner of the Bassett net. Bassett are now three down. Then the best Bassett play of the day, Sam plays a great ball into Josh W who as cool as you like chips the Wickham Wanderers goal keeper and finds the back of the net. Final score 3-1 to Wickham Wanderers.
This was a very charged game which was not helped by poor parent discipline, at the end of the day our teams are U11's we should all be setting the example. I must say Bassett were at the end of some very poor decisions, one moment when Bassett played the ball over the top, the off-side flag was raised before the ball had flown over our midfield, never mind anyone touching the ball or actually being off-side? The only time we passed the ball around well today we scored; we battled hard but did not have the run of the green today. I also felt we were bunching; I still have a sore ear from standing too close to Josh W who spent most of his time screaming for the ball! On a very positive note we have two cup finals to attend lets learn from this game and move on.
Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:11
