Stratton Youth started the better side, winning the ball in all areas, pushing Bassett back into their own half. Their passing was very good, but they lacked a forward who could score, just as well for Bassett who were struggling. Arron was the first to create some space and released a ball to Josh W, Josh crossed the ball but the ball was too close to the Stratton goal keeper who made the save. Again Josh won the ball and popped a ball over the defence for Arron to run onto, but Arron was knocked to the floor for a free kick. Arron takes the free kick but the ball travels well wide of the target. Stratton break, with some good passing, beating our midfield players who were caught out of position, allowing Stratton to break through our defence, they shoot and Joe saves. Again Stratton break through, Jack tracks back with the Stratton attacker, and makes a sliding tackle clearing the ball away from danger. Stratton are pushing Bassett back earning a corner, the corner is taken well, and they shoot, the ball has beaten Joe but luckily for Bassett Jake clears the ball off the line. You could see Stratton scoring very soon. Again Stratton break which forces Joe to come off his line and clear the ball, its all Stratton right now, although Bassett are winning the ball we just can't hang onto it. Bassett back four of Dale, Regan, Jack and Jake are being tested and on occasions struggle to clear the ball away, as several attempts are made to play the ball out of their own half. Bassett are struggling right now to get any passing together and find any form. Stratton is first to every loose ball; without doubt they are up for this game more than Bassett. A great break by Josh on the left gives Bassett our first opportunity, Josh beats two defenders and crosses the ball, the ball roles passed the goal keeper past an empty net, but with no Bassett forward in sight the opportunity was lost for a simple tap in. Both Regan and Jack were called into action to mop up Stratton breaks on more than one occasion. Then against the run of play, Bassett score, a good pass from Fraser to Michael, Michael beats a defender laying the ball off in front of goal allowing Tyler to tap the ball into the back of the net. The second half saw one change; Jake who had played well was replaced by Scott. Stratton are first to break pushing Bassett back again, they find the space to shoot, forcing Joe to punch the ball away for a corner. The corner is taken well and Bassett manage to clear the ball away. Stratton look strong passing the ball well, but now there is a more urgency in Bassett's game, and you could see Josh having success down the right hand side. Bassett are looking a little stronger now our passing is a little sharper, this is confirmed by a second goal, Sam wins the ball beating the Stratton midfield, and finds Michael, Michael runs towards the Stratton goal, the goal keeper runs out of his goal to close Michael down, Michael shoots and the ball deflects into the path of Tyler, Tyler is given an unprotected goal to shoot at and does not miss. Bassett are now two up and looking a little stronger. Bassett are now attacking with both Fraser and Arron starting to win the ball in midfield this is allowing Bassett to find some form.

Josh is causing loads of problems for the Stratton left back who is struggling with his pace and quick feet. Josh again wins the ball on the right and drives goal bound, he beats four defenders and shoots, the ball fly's into the top of the net leaving the goal keeper stranded, Bassett are now three up and looking more comfortable on the ball. A good move by Josh gives Fraser the space to shoot but the ball travels wide of the target. Dale on the right is pushing forward supporting the front men. The next goal was a little strange, Dale hits, what was a cross; however the ball bounces just in front of the goal keeper and bounces over his head into the back of the net. They all count, Bassett are now four up. The game was a little end to end with both teams pushing each other back wards but Stratton looked like they were running out of steam. Sam is replaced by Tom, and Tom is straight into the game running with the ball at the Stratton goal keeper, but some good defence stops the runs. Again Josh was having some success, and cuts back inside, Josh shoots and the ball is placed out to the left hand side of the goal and is bending towards the top corner, but Fraser could not get out of the way of the shot and is hit on the chest, which blocks the shot. Fraser is replaced by Max. Bassett are on top and Max has made an impact, he is running at the Stratton defence and like Josh showing quick feet. Max is also adding width to the game passing the ball wide when he could. Arron and Regan are replaced by Fraser and Sam. Bassett are putting lots of pressure on Stratton forcing a corner, the corner is taken well and finds the head of Max, the ball is flying goal bound but hits the post and run out for a goal kick. Again Josh wins the ball on the right, and crosses the ball into the Stratton box, Max manages to get his feet onto the ball and shoots, and the ball is hit at the goal keeper and is saved. Jack is replaced by Jake. Jake always offers a big right foot to the defence of Bassett and on many occasions users it. Dale is replaced by Arron, and Tyler is replaced by Regan. With 5 minutes remaining Bassett finish strongly after what was a poor start.

A good game and I must say that Stratton Youth looked strong but ran out of steam in the second half. A good game to watch, well done for a good win.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 13:23