The game was very even for the first ten minutes with no team looking like they could score. Jack and Scott were forced to clear the ball away as Ferndale attacked but they did not look like they were going to trouble us. Bassett were first to the ball and pushing Ferndale back into their own half, this was more like it. Josh H was playing well as right back stopping all the attacks down the right. Midfield, Fraser and Arron worked well attacking every ball that came close to them. Then the first real break, Callum received a great pass from Josh W down the left, Callum runs down the left wing beating the Ferndale defence, Callum crosses the ball which gives Ban a simple tap in, a great goal. Bassett are on top and Ferndale doesn't have any answers. Fraser wins the ball and plays in Arron, Arron beats the defender and shoots from distance, but the shot is just wide. Then Bassett strike again through Josh W, Josh picks up the ball just outside the box, beating two defenders shoots and finds the back of the net. A well worked goal giving Bassett a two goal advantage with only twenty minutes on the clock.

Ferndale attack and Max is on hand to get that important tackle, and picks up the loose ball which is passed to Ben on the right. Regan is defending well, not giving Ferndale a look in at the back. Bassett were placing Ferndale under allsorts of pressure and earning a corner, Arron takes the corner which has height and good length, Callum M is on the end of the corner and shoots, but the shot is saved. A great ball from Max finds Callum M, Callum runs goal bound beating the trailing defender, Callum shoots but it's saved. Ben and Josh H are working well together on the right playing the one two's on many occasions. Bassett were playing with width which Ferndale had no answers too. Ferndale first attempt on goal allows Joe to make a simple catch, however Ferndale force Bassett back which allows a second shot which Joe also deals with well. This first half was a much improved with good pace shown upfront supported well by midfield, however I must say when we did break the off side flag was raised when, yet again we were not!

Ferndale were now coming back at Bassett pushing us back maybe a little more assertive in their play, Ferndale break down their left and cross the ball, the ball is not cleared very well and finds a Ferndale attacker, the attacker hits a high ball towards Joe's goal. The ball travels over the top of Joe where Scott was standing, Scott attempts to header the ball out but Scott is already standing behind the goal line as he is being pushed back, both Scott and the ball end up in the back of the net. Half time 1-2 to a much improved Bassett performance.

The second half commenced and Ferndale came at Bassett with termination and desire to win. They were pushing Bassett back into their own half earning two corners in a row which Bassett looked a little ropey in their defence. Ferndale shoot and Joe saves Bassett struggle to clear the ball away from their own half then the equaliser. A high ball over the top of the defence, Joe is looking directly into the sun, the ball bounces over the top of Joe for the Ferndale forward to tap into the back of the net. It's all square but Ferndale has the momentum. You could sense that Bassett were becoming frustrated and some late tackles earn Ferndale a free kick, the free kick is taken well and the unmarked forward headers the ball into the back of the net. Ferndale take the lead. Josh H is replaced and Jake is on, Arron breaks down the right and shoots but the ball is just wide. Again each time Bassett break the off side flag is raised, the lines man is replaced due the volume of bad calls! Joe again is forced to make the save as Ferndale push forward, this half it's all Ferndale with very little Bassett pressure. Bassett are awarded a corner Jake steps up delivers a perfect ball into the box, Arron and Fraser go for the same ball and end up on top of each other with Arron coming off worse with a split lip for his troubles. Ferndale come straight back at Bassett and Regan is forced to push the ball out for the corner, the corner is taken well and Bassett stand and watch as the ball is kicked into the back of the Bassett goal for Ferndale fourth. Then a great ball from Tyler offers some room for Callum M to run at the Ferndale which he does and shoots, the ball travels through the players in the box to find the back of the net. Final score Ferndale 4 Bassett 3.

If there ever was a game of two half's this was it Bassett were the stronger side in the first half with Ferndale in the second. I would say that in the second half we lacked width in our play and when Ferndale became a little more physical as we backed off. If you consider they had two lucky goals then we could have beat them on a good day.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:15