From the off Bassett pushed Wickham back into their own half, a great move from Josh W who made some space to play in Sam, Sam runs goal bound and shoots but the ball fly's just wide of the Wickham goal. A great start, Bassett look strong, but we know how Wickham can break up front. Again Bassett push forward with a ball over the top of the Wickham defence, Sam runs on the ball, but the ball is cleared only as far as Max, Max beats the defender and shoots, but the ball is wide of the intended target. Tyler who is battling well wins the ball and plays a great ball into the feet of Josh W, Josh shoots but again the ball is wide of the Wickham goal.

I would say that Bassett looked like they wanted to win this one, every ball was being chased, and Wickham did not have much time on the ball. Then the break through, Bassett had been sat in the Wickham half and a clearance is hit towards Fraser, the ball is bouncing and Fraser strikes the ball on the volley. The ball travels high goal bound, the Wickham goal keeper is back peddling in an attempt to catch the ball, but the ball fly's over his head into the back of the net. Bassett take the lead.

I must say the back four of Jake, Jack, Regan and Scott looked strong, this was supported by good positing play by our midfield. You just knew nothing was going to get through them today; they were talking and supporting each other throughout the game. Wickham were struggling with the ball over the top, their defence looked a little stretched, this was confirmed by a good ball by Arron which should have been cleared by the Wickham defence but Tyler found unexpectedly on the ball, Tyler worked the ball onto his left foot and shoots, the ball just goes wide. Wickham attempted to clear their lines but struggle to clear midfield, a loose ball from Wickham is given to Jake, Jake gives it the treatment with his right foot, the ball is high and travelling towards the goal, but the Wickham goal keeper saves. Arron is working hard on the right, and wins the ball which allows Max to run at the Wickham defenders, but Max was pushed off the ball in what was a very physical game.

The link play between Tyler and Josh was very good and at time cut Wickham up, this was supported by some very good running by Sam, this was placing a lot of pressure on Wickham. I must say we were holding our shape, which I think has been missing just of late. Again a long ball beats the Wickham defence and Sam runs at the goal keeper, Sam takes the ball around the keeper but runs out of room and the ball goes out of play.

Bassett are camped in the Wickham half trying to find the second goal, Wickham clear their lines but only as far as Jake on the right, Jake again drives the ball into the Wickham goal mouth where Sam ends up with the ball after a small scramble, he shoots and scores, Bassett are now two up and half time looming. Bassett are looking very strong and with the quality of passing, specifically between Josh and Tyler it was great to watch. Bassett continue to attack and this time its Max who puts the pressure on Wickham, Max wins the ball on the right, he drives goal bound beating one defender, and shots but the ball hits the side netting of the goal.

Then Wickham break, Bassett are caught ball watching a little, and Wickham find the space to shoot, but the shot is from some distance and travels our the top of Joe's goal. At the end of the first half Bassett have the lead by two.

The second half commences with one change Max is replaced by Callum. Callum is straight into the action taking the ball off the Wickham defenders and laying off a pass to Arron. Arron and Callum are working hard on the right, Arron beats the oncoming defender and plays a good ball for Sam to run onto, Sam crosses the ball but the ball is too close to the Wickham goal keeper who makes the save. Bassett are again pushing Wickham back into their own half, Callum plays a ball back to Jake, Jake lofts the ball into the Wickham goal mouth but the ball is caught by the Wickham keeper. Arron wins the ball on the right and runs goal bound, the Wickham defence clear the ball out for a corner. Bassett are pushing forward and Wickham plays a ball over the top, the ball is hit a little too strong allowing Joe to run out and clear his lines very effortlessly. Wickham start to come back at Bassett as we are starting to look a little tired, Wickham work the ball well and shoot, but from distance and the ball does not go near Joe's goal.

Both central defenders are working hard to keep a clean sweep, both are talking well keeping an eye on the on coming Wickham forwards covering for each other. A ball comes down to Scott, Scott puts his foot through the ball which finds Sam, Sam controls the ball well and passes back to Arron, Arron works the ball to his right and shoots, the ball is hit hard, it beats the Wickham keeper finding the top corner of the Wickham goal. Bassett are now three up. Tyler is replaced by Michael. Bassett are now pushing Wickham back again, a break by Sam allows Sam to pass to Arron, Arron beats the defender and shoots, but the ball is just wide of the target. Then the move of the day for me, Fraser passed to Sam, Sam beats the defender and plays a good ball to Michael, Michael plays a very good pass to Josh, Josh shoots and beats the Wickham keeper to his left, a very good passage of play. Bassett are now four up.

Sam is replaced by Dale. Bassett are on top, Wickham do attempt to break but they don't look like scoring, they shoot from distance but the shot is just wide. Wickham are awarded a free kick due to a pass back, Wickham are unable to take advantage of the free kick. Again Wickham are awarded a free kick as Fraser was too strong in his shoulder barge, but again Wickham could not turn this into a goal opportunity. Josh wins the ball in the middle of the park and plays a good ball into the feet of Michael, Michael has a lot of work to do to beat the Wickham defender, and Michael manages to get the shot away, which forces the Wickham keeper to push the ball around his right goal post. Bassett are awarded a corner, the corner is taken well by Arron, and Dale jumps and manages to get his head onto the ball, the ball travels just wide of the Wickham goal. Then the final move of the game. A great ball from Fraser plays in Josh, Josh beats the defender and shoots. The ball travels into the back of the net, Bassett are now 5 up. Final score 5 - 0 to Bassett.

I thought today was our best game of the season, the passing was good, and our positional play was superb, it just proves that we can play very good football. Our defence also was very strong, I must say that no one was selfish on the ball today, which I have seen in the last couple of games. All in all a great game for Bassett and a very strong TEAM effort by all, well done.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 13:16