The conditions were not great for fast flowing football the wind was wiping across Ballards Ash and was going to level out the teams a little.

From the kick off Bassett looked the stronger side but the wind was continually dragging play towards the main road, and any high ball was hard to control. The first break went to Bassett as a great pass from Tyler to Josh gave Josh the room to shoot but the ball travelled passed the Cricklade upright. Bassett were on top pushing Cricklade back into their own half, Joe's goal never looked like it was going to be threatened. The game became a little scrappy, with the wind as it was this was expected, Bassett needed to score to build their confidence. Then the break through, again, a great ball from Tyler which found the feet of Josh W, Josh ran down the left beating the oncoming defenders and shoots, the ball beats the goal keeper and hits the back of the net. Bassett take the lead. Cricklade did not give up but found themselves second to most balls. Our defence of Scott, Regan, Josh H and Jake was strong and any attempt to break through was dealt with very quickly. Cricklade attempted to play the ball over the top, but the wind was carrying the ball directly into Joe's safe hands.

Bassett were now starting to pass the ball around, a good pass from Scott found Josh W, Josh W beat a defender and laid the ball off to Tyler, Tyler worked the space and passed to Sam, Sam shoots and, with the some help from the wind finds the top corner of the Cricklade goal, a great team goal, this is what football is about. Callum is having a hard time on the right, but battling hard to win the ball on many occasions setting up Bassett attacks. Bassett are now on top and looking very strong, Scott passed to Josh W, Josh plays the ball to Arron D, Arron passes to Callum, Callum passes to Sam, Sam shoots but the ball is just wide of the target. Josh H is playing well in defence on the right, linking up with both Callum and Arron many times. It's all Bassett, some good one two's between Arron and Callum gives a shooting opportunity to Callum, Callum shoots and his boot came off and went to the left of the Cricklade goal but the shot was saved. Half time 2 � 0 to Bassett.

The wind was getting stronger making it very hard to play a good passing game. Again it's was all Bassett and Cricklade just did not look like they would score. Bassett were pushing Cricklade back who defended well in the main, shots from Josh and Callum, whose boot fell off again, (I was informed that Serena, CM mum tied his boots!) all shots were saved. Callum is replaced by Tom. All the play is still against the road side and both Scott and Josh W are in loads of space on the left. Then the second break through, Scott receives a ball from Fraser, Scott plays a great ball over the top of the Cricklade defenders to Josh W, Josh controls the ball well and shoots, and this time the ball beats the goal keeper and drops into the back of the net. Bassett are now three up. Bassett are on top and pushing for the fourth, a great cross from Sam finds Fraser, Fraser shoots but the ball fly's high over the cross bar. Tom battled hard on the right and wins the ball; he passes to Tyler who forces himself through the Cricklade defenders and scores, albeit by using all body parts!

Jake is replaced by Dale and Regan is replaced by Conner. Dale and Conner are called into action straight away as Cricklade attack down Bassett's right; Conner clears the ball well to stop the Cricklade forwards. Dale also is required to clear the ball as Cricklade attack with a ball over the top. Bassett are now back in attack mode, a good ball from Tom finds Sam, Sam passes to Fraser, Fraser shoots but the shot is high and wide. There must be only two minutes remaining and Cricklade attack, the ball bounces over the top of Dale and the Cricklade attacker is striding through the Bassett defence, Joe starts to come out of his goal, Conner, Josh H and Scott are running back Conner manages to get his foot onto the ball to stop the attack. Final score 4-0 to Bassett.

A good win in what was very windy conditions. When we pass the ball we are stunning to watch and unbeatable we need to play the team game more often and we will score more goals and when it's windy keep the ball on the floor. Well done to all.

Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 13:32