The team and parents arrived early, for some, there was time to have a beer or two to take away those unwanted nerves. We had been here before with the visit to the County Ground and every one looked relaxed in what was a friendly environment. However as time got closer to kick off the tone of the conversations changed as the parents became a little more anxious. I must say that every player looked relaxed, and you could see in their faces there was a job to do, this was supported by their confidence and natural football ability, I would say they all believed they could win.

Trowbridge kicked off and placed some early pressure on Bassett, Joe was called upon to make an early save. The game was very even for the next ten minutes with both teams trying to find a weakness in their defence. Then Bassett's first break, Arron plays the ball to Ben, and Ben takes off down the right wing, beating the Trowbridge defence, Ben crosses the ball, but the ball falls to a Trowbridge player and they clear their lines. Arron is causing all sorts of problems for the Trowbridge defence and with Ben's speed they were struggling to keep Bassett back. Then the break through, Ben takes the ball down the right wing, crosses the ball into the feet of Arron, Arron turns the defender inside out and shoots, the ball finds the gap between the goal keeper and the post. I would suggest that the cheer from the supporters could have been heard in Highworth. Arron is on fire chasing every ball and winning most of them in midfield. The back four of Josh H, Regan, Jack and Scott were so solid, Josh was asked to play the ball with his head very often as Trowbridge started to play the percentage ball over the top. Trowbridge were struggling to break Bassett down as they bring Ben down in frustration. Bassett break again, Fraser plays a great ball into the feet of Sam, Sam shoots but the Trowbridge goal keeper saves. I must say that Josh and Regan at the back were tested by Trowbridge from high balls as well as small breaks but each time they were stopped in their tracks.

Trowbridge break down the middle of the park, Ragan makes the tackle, and Jack picks up the lose ball playing in Josh W. Josh takes the ball down the left wing beating the Trowbridge defence, but the ball is lost and cleared for a throw. Trowbridge break but are forced to make a shot from distance, and Joe saves by making a clean catch. Trowbridge attack again, but this time down out left, Scott holds the attacker up not allowing the cross to be made then wins the ball and plays a great pass to Tyler, Tyler runs through the midfield as Trowbridge retreat, Tyler shoots but the shot is saved. Fraser wins the ball, and plays a good ball to Sam, Sam runs at goal and shoots but the shot is just wide. Josh W is replaced by Callum M, Josh had been tackled and managed to put his front tooth into his knee! Bassett are on top and you could sense frustration from the Trowbridge team, not helped by the massive support from the Bassett's supporters. Bassett are passing the ball very well, a ball from Regan finds Tyler, Tyler beats two defenders and lays the ball off to Sam, Sam shoots but the shot is saved. Scott and Regan battled for every ball and the support they gave each other was fantastic to watch. Trowbridge break but are forced to run wide, they shoot but again Joe, who has been looking solid all day, makes a great catch. I must say that Trowbridge do look dangerous on the break. Again Trowbridge break with the ball over the top, Jack runs back inline with the forward, Jack is strong and clears the ball out for a throw. First Half Bassett lead by one goal.

During half time Trudy went to the bar to purchase some drinks, as you do, Paul Garlic called me over, as she was shaking so much, with nerves, by the time she walked from the bar to the pitch side there would not be any drink remaining within the plastic cup!

The second half kicks off and again it's quite even, but then Bassett turned it up a gear, maybe due to the encouragement from the supporters. I don't know why but the Trowbridge supporters were quite quiet! Bassett were on top pushing Trowbridge back into their own half, but we could not create any opportunities to shoot.

But then Trowbridge placed some pressure on Bassett, they were passing the ball around with much more precision, at this point Bassett were on the back foot. I must admit that I thought they were going to score as Bassett got deeper and deeper in their own half. Fraser time and time got his head to the ball to clear the crosses which were hitting the Bassett box. Joe was forced to make a fantastic save as a shot was hit hard towards the top corner, Joe dives to his right to find that a Trowbridge forward had their studs pointing towards him, Joe focusing on the ball takes the ball followed by the man great work. Trowbridge had Bassett under the cosh for 7-9 minutes but could not break down our defence. Then Bassett break and Callum is brought down, to the disappointment of the Bassett supporters. Tyler steps up to take the free kick, the ball has height and is curling away from the Trowbridge goal keeper, Fraser controls the ball and shoots, but the shot is saved. Trowbridge attack down our left Scott goes in for the big clearance and is taken out very late, Scott travels up in the air and lands on his head and shoulder, the crowed shout off, off, off, "I think the beer had taken over a little at this point" but it was funny. Scott gets up and gives the attacker one of those looks; you know "next time your mine". Regan picks the ball up and passes to Fraser, Fraser flicks the ball around the Trowbridge defender and passes to Tyler; Tyler plays a great ball to Sam, Sam shoots but the ball travels just wide. Bassett are back on top and Trowbridge are struggling to contain our speed and passing ability. Trowbridge then break down our right, Jack makes a very good tackle and Josh H picks the ball up, Josh travels down the wing a little then plays a fantastic ball over the top of the Trowbridge defenders into the path of Sam, Sam controls the ball and finds himself one on one with the goal keeper, Sam shoots and finds the back of the net. A very well taken goal. Bassett are now two up with 15 minutes remaining. Ben has run his socks off and is replaced by Josh W who has recovered from his knee injury. Josh made an impact as soon as he came on just too quickly for the Trowbridge defenders. Tyler was battling harder now and fighting for every ball, also Fraser was seeing more of the ball in the second half. Trowbridge break and attempt a shot, Jack blocks the shot and clears his lines, again great work from our defence. Callum M and Arron are linking well on the left causing problems for Trowbridge. Sam was more involved in the second half chasing every ball, forcing Trowbridge to kick the ball out for throws. Callum M is replaced by Jake. Jake is instantly involved putting in the big throws. From the throw Arron plays the ball back to Jake, Jake crosses the ball into the box which you know is going to give Trowbridge problems, Josh W gets onto the cross and shoots, the shot is deflected only as far as Sam, Sam shoots, but again its cleared off to our right, Jake picks the ball up and using his big right foot crosses the ball which skims the woodwork and runs out f or a goal kick. Bassett are well and truly on top of Trowbridge not giving them any room to play football. Scott is replaced by Callum G and is straight into the action clearing the ball from what was again a long ball over the top. Again Trowbridge break down our left beating our defence for the first time, the ball is crossed into the feet of their forward who find himself one on one with Joe, Joe has run off his line to reduce the angle, the forward shoots, Joe, using his feet, pushes the ball away for the corner, again a great save. The corner is cleared and Bassett break again, Arron runs with the ball down the right wing, but then the whistle is blown. Basset have completed the Double and makes club history by being the first team to make it through to the County Cup final, but to win is a fantastic achievement. The players were celebrating in the middle of the pitch to the applause of the supporters, which was well deserved.

Well what a game, you can pick out individuals, Arron, Regan and Joe had great games, but it was a team effort every player stood up to the mark today. Our defence was solid retaining our clean sheet within this competition. It was a shame that Andy could not attend, but "Andy the lads did you proud on Sunday and fought for every ball and deserved to be wearing the WBTFC shirt". Matt did a sterling job focusing the boys on the game, ensuing they were up for the game ahead, many thanks from all the parents, Matt. I also say that the bond between the parents is just great, there were lots of man hugging going on as very proud parents were celebrating the success of the team. Bring on Butlins!

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Monday 28th December 2020 at 20:22