This game was played on a very hard pitch, in fact like concrete, at Ryland's Way, the home of WBTFC.

Bassett were all over croft from the off, although Croft battled hard they never looked like they were ever going to score. The expected first goal came from a Tyler cross which Fraser headed on and Josh W picked up the lose ball and cracked it into the back of the net. Again Bassett attack through Tyler, Tyler works the ball with his left foot to create some space and shoots, but the Croft goal keeper saves. A great ball from Jack, finds Arron, Arron crosses from the right to Josh W, but Josh could not convert on this occasion. Again a good build up started by Regan, Regan plays a ball into the feet of Sam, Sam passes to Josh W, who shoots this time it hits the back of the net. Bassett are now two up. Bassett are all over Croft who are struggling to clear their lines, Arron picks up a lose ball and drives down the right, he starts to cut back inside to give the space required for the shot, he shoots but its just wide. It's now time for Sam to attack, a good ball from Tyler finds Sam, Sam breaks through the defenders and shoots, but the ball travels just wide of the upright. Then Bassett's third, Sam as cool as you like plays a ball over the top of the Croft defenders for Arron to run onto, Arron collects the ball and runs at the croft goal keeper, he shoots and the ball hits the back of the net.

Then against the run of play Croft break, but the defence of Josh, Regan, Jack and Jake are too strong for the Croft forwards and they clear their lines. Fraser is running his socks off in midfield and wins the ball, mean while Arron has sprinted passed Fraser for the pass, the pass is given and Arron finds himself one on one with the goal keeper, but the ball just out runs Arron, allowing the keeper to make an easy save. Ben and Tyler were working well on the right supporting each other when required. I must say we are not playing as wide as we can do, when we play wide, teams struggle against us. Josh is forced to make some strong tackles as Croft attempt to attack down our right, this is supported by Ben who finds the space to receive the ball from Josh. Josh plays a good ball down the left for Tyler to chase, Tyler runs down the wing and gets the cross in, the ball runs through the Croft defenders and allows Ben a simple tap in for Bassett's forth. Josh W is playing well on the left supporting Tyler. Josh W passes the ball to Sam who plays the one two with Josh, Josh shoots but the shot is just wide. Bassett are storming away with this one. Josh H, plays a ball to Ben, Ben runs down the right wing and passes back to Fraser, Fraser winds up his right foot and cracks the ball into the back of the net. Bassett are now five up. Then almost directly after the kick off Jack plays a ball to Josh, Josh passes to Sam, Sam runs goal bound beating the defenders and passes the ball back to Arron, Arron shoots and scores, Bassett are six up and in cruse control. Bassett again and again push Croft back, they just can't cope with the pressure which is confirmed by Bassett's seventh, a good ball from Josh W, to Fraser, Fraser shoots and finds the back of the net. The last 10 minutes saw a goal fest – halftime score 7-0 to Bassett.

The second half commenced with some subs and a change of formation, Joe, who had not touched the ball in the first half is now playing up front, Ben, Arron and Regan are off and Callum G, Callum M and Scott are on, with Jake now in goal. Straight away Bassett push Croft back, Sam works the ball around two defenders and then takes the ball around the goal keeper, but just could not find the back of the net. Andy is making lots of changes and many of the players are playing in different positions! Scott is playing in a midfield role alongside Callum G. A good cross from Scott finds Joe, Joe shoots but the Croft keeper saves. Croft break through the middle of our defence, they shoot but Jake makes a great catch, Jake then cracks the ball passed the halfway line from his hands, what a right foot that lad has! Due to the changes Croft are holding their own right now, but then a break, Josh H plays a great ball through to Callum M, Callum breaks through the defenders and shoots, but the shot is saved. Callum G looks like he is struggling with an injury, but gives it his all in the tackles, but in end is carried off by Matt and Paul and is replaced by Ben. Tyler and Sam's link up play was very strong, Tyler delivered a great ball into the feet of Sam, and Sam shoots and cracks the ball into the back of the net. Bassett are now eight up with ten minutes to play. Croft have been more aggressive this half fighting for every ball, a ball over the top of the Bassett defence forces Jack to make a sliding save to clear the ball out for a throw. Again Bassett attack and Tyler plays a lovely chip over the Croft defence Callum M jumps up, headers the ball goal bound, but the ball travels just over the cross bar beating the Croft goal keeper. Sam is replaced by Regan who is playing in a forward role did not see much of the ball in the second half along with Fraser at the back, just one of those games. Final score 8-0 to Bassett.

The first half was stunning to watch, good one touch football form all, if we had played a little wider I think there would have been more goals. In the second half the team was changed around a lot with our midfield players playing at the back and our defenders playing in midfield and you must say it makes a difference. A good team effort, it's a shame the Joe did not feature on the score card, so many players attempted to set him up.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:18