The pitch was small, with a slope, and the wind strong in what turned out to be a difficult game for Bassett. Bassett kicked off playing up hill and into the wind.
Bassett placed pressure on Cricklade from the off, but Cricklade defended well playing the long ball over the top of Bassett's midfield. Josh W made a break down the left and crossed the ball towards Sam, Sam shoots but the shot is saved. Bassett were on top of the game but due to the small pitch struggled to put any width on the ball. Fraser works some space and shoots but the ball travels over the top of the cross bar. Tyler plays a great pass to Arron, Arron shoots but again the shot is saved. Then Cricklade break through Bassett's centre the forward shoots and Joe saves. Cricklade are awarded a free kick just outside the Bassett box, but are not able to put the ball into the back of the net.
The game is now very tight in the main forced upon Bassett by the small pitch. Max is replaced by Callum. Bassett attempt to pass the ball around but struggle, Arron works some space and shoots from distance the ball hangs in the wind and cracks against the cross bar. Cricklade come straight back at Bassett and like Bassett shoot from distance, the ball fly's just over the top of Bassett's goal. Then Cricklade score, again a long shot which carries with the wind, the bounce beats Joe and hit's the back of the net. Bassett are one down and struggling. Bassett come back at Cricklade and place pressure on their defence creating a corner, Arron takes the corner and the ball is cleared back to Arron, again Arron crosses the ball Josh H pops up and headers the ball into the back of the Cricklade goal, one all. Bassett's defence of Scott, Regan, Josh and Dale looked strong at the back. Again Bassett attack and are now playing the better football and attack again, Callum takes the ball up the right beating the Cricklade defenders, Callum crosses the ball which finds Arron, and Arron smacks the ball into the back of the net. Bassett take the lead. Half time 2-1 to Bassett.
Bassett had the wind and the slope in their favour in the second half and this was to prove to be a deciding factor. Scott is replaced by Jake; Josh W is replaced by Max. Fraser and Arron are linking up well which allows Arron to shoot but the shot is saved. It's all Bassett now and Cricklade are struggling to clear the ball out of their own half. Bassett win a corner, Arron takes the corner and Max cracks the ball into the back of the net. Bassett 3 Cricklade 1.
Bassett are placing pressure onto Cricklade, Cricklade are defending well keeping Bassett at bay for most of the time. Bassett are awarded a corner, Tyler takes the corner and again Josh H gets his head to the ball but the ball travels over the top of the goal. Callum is strong on the right, but as soon has he gets the ball Cricklade close him down, this was the case for all of our team again due to the small pitch. Regan manages to creep forward and shoots from distance but the shot is saved. Sam is replaced by Tom, Dale is replaced by Scott. Cricklade attack Joe's goal forcing a corner, the corner is taken well and Cricklade manage to get a shot on target; Scott clears the ball off the line with his head. Tom is playing well battling for the ball at every opportunity and Josh H is very solid at the back. Tyler is replaced by Sam with only five minutes remaining. Max made some room taking the ball around the Cricklade defender, plays a good pass to Arron, Arron shoots but the shot is saved. Final score 1-3 to Bassett.
What should have been an easy game, turned out to be very tough compounded by the wind, pitch size and slope. However a win is a win, well done, let's go and enjoy our trip to Holland.
Credit: Andy Walduck
Last modified on Thursday 31st December 2020 at 13:34
