The first time we had seen some rain for a while, but the water was making the pitch very slippery and in a game which was going to be tough for both sides. The scene was going to be set for the up and coming NW Cup Final, it was going to be important to have the upper hand come Saturday.

For the first 10 minutes the game was very even, although Wroughton were being very physical and in my opinion too physical on occasions. Then the first break, Ben down the left beats the Wroughton defender and shoots, but the ball travels just wide of the goal. Fraser wins the ball and plays a great ball into the feet of Sam, Sam runs goal bound beating the Wroughton defenders, leaving him one on one with the goal keeper. Sam chips the goal keeper and finds the back of the net. Bassett take the lead.

Wroughton come back at Bassett forcing Regan to make a clearing challenge. Scott picks the ball up in the right back position and plays a great ball to Arron, Arron breaks, but is tackled just as he is winding up his right foot. Wroughton break, forcing them through Jack and Regan, Joe runs off his line and just gets to the ball before the on coming attacker, and clears the ball for a throw. The back four of Josh H, Jack, Regan and Scott look strong at the back as they have all season. Callum M is running well down the left supporting Arron and Fraser. Arron wins the ball in midfield and plays the ball to Fraser, Fraser passes to Ben, Ben shoots but it lacks strength and direction. Sam is being very strong up front, he needed to be. Then Wroughton break and again Joe faces the one on one with the Wroughton forward, Joe runs off his line to close down the angle, the forward shoots, Joe dives to his right and pushes the ball just wind of the goal, a great save. Half time 1-0 to Bassett.

The first change is made, Tyler is on and Callum M is off. Wroughton attack forcing Joe to make the save, Wroughton are on top now, pushing Bassett back, and again Joe is forced to run off his line to clear the ball. Wroughton shoots and Fraser headers the ball away from Bassett's goal. Josh W is on and Sam is off. Wroughton break, forcing Josh H to clear the ball away for the corner. Wroughton take the corner well and the ball deflects off our own player and hits the back of the net. Back to all square. Bassett manage to attack Wroughton, Arron runs through the midfield and passes to Tyler, Tyler turns and shoots, but the ball travels just wide of the up right.

Like the rest of the team Josh W is forced to play hard, at this point the game was too aggressive, firstly by Wroughton and then by Bassett. Bassett earn a free kick, which Tyler steps up and takes, the ball is struck well but it's saved. Wroughton break down Bassett's left; Scott puts in a big tackle on the Wroughton attacker and stops both ball and forward. Ben and Scott are off and Callum G and Jake are on. Jake is forced to clear the ball to stop the Wroughton attack. Regan makes a good run through the middle of the park and passes to Josh W, Josh attempts to run after the ball, but the Wroughton defender puts an elbow into his face and Josh backs off. But Josh battles well and wins the ball back and plays a good ball off to Tyler, Tyler shoots but the shot is saved. That was the last attack for Tyler, who is replaced by Callum through injury. The game was then very even for the last 5 minutes with the final score 1-1.

This was very physical and a little over the top on some occasions, with both sides picking up injuries. I would say that one all was a fair result, but I would also say that Bassett took more from the game than Wroughton on the day. Well done lads a great game to watch.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:19