Sunday 16th November 2008 - Lydiard Youth 'A' (A)

The Under 9 A Team returned to Ermin Street to play Lydiard Youth, for the second time this season. The first match had been a hard fought 4-2 victory in the Cup, no lesser a test was expected today.

The first 5 minutes saw both teams working hard and putting in some strong tackles without creating any real clear openings. On 7 minutes a short ball from the back saw Lydiard break quickly down the right. Slick passing created an opportunity and Oliver Rejek fired home with a hard low shot into the far corner of the Bassett goal.

The next chance also fell to Lydiard. Ryosuke made an excellent tackle on the advancing Lydiard forward, the ball broke kindly for Lydiard but the resulting shot was well saved by Conor in the Bassett goal.

The first real threat to the Lydiard goal came on 12 minutes when the determination of Harrison took him through 3 tackles and close to the Lydiard goal. Unfortunately he just ran out of room before he could get a shot away.

Bassett were starting to build some pressure on the very well organised Lydiard defence and our first goal came on 15 minutes when Ryosuke went down the right, slipped the ball through to Euan, who fired a well timed shot into the top of the goal.

Lydiard came straight back and a long range shot was tipped onto the bar by Conor. On 20 minutes Bassett put together their best move of the match. The defence broke up a Lydiard attack, Ryosuke passed the ball to Callum out wide on the right. Callum controlled the ball and passed back to Ryosuke in full flight. Two touches then an in field ball to Euan, who passed it out wide to Harrison on the left. Good control advanced the ball into Lydiard box. As Harrison "cocked the trigger" a superb defenders tackle knocked the ball out for what appeared to be a corner. The resulting goal kick was launched long and a big bounce caught the Bassett defence on the back foot. Oliver Rejek ran onto the free ball and scored with a well placed shot.

Half-time: 2-1

The second half started where the first ended with both teams going for goal. Six minutes in Lydiard broke through the Bassett defence and with two forwards bearing down on the Bassett goal, Conor made the save of the game diving out at the feet of the advancing forward. With the save made, Conor was aware enough to get to his feet and pounce on the free ball before a Lydiard forward took this opportunity for the next goal.

Bassett got their first real chance of the second half on 11 minutes. Two consecutive strong challenges from Lewis and then Jordan saw the ball to Ryosuke. A long ball up field found an unmarked Tyler whose attempt unfortunately bobbled wide of the goal.

Two minutes later Lydiard scored their third. Again a bobbling ball on the edge of the Bassett area was met by a Lydiard player. Thomas Miller's sweet shot sailed past Conor and in off the far post.

This could have easily been Bassett's first defeat of the season but the team managed to pick themselves up, show some real character and started to play like the team we know they are. On 15 minutes, a Lydiard goal kick was collected in midfield by Tyler, a short ball put Euan in the clear and his fierce shot flew in off the post to make it 3-2.

A minute later Euan picked up a loose ball in midfield, he passed wide to Ryosuke, who came in on the angle to shoot low past the keeper. Goal bound the ball took a deflection into the opposite corner to make it 3-3.

The last ten minutes were as exciting as the rest of the game with some immense effort shown by both teams. The final goal mouth action came from Bassett when some smart passing between Ryosuke, Tyler, Harrison and Jordan enabled Euan to get a shot away which went just wide of the post.

Match Analysis: For all their hard work, Bassett didn't really play as a unit until the last quarter of the game. When they did they were devastating and hauled themselves back into the game to earn a great draw. Conor was alert in goal and talked well with his defence. Jordan, Alanah and Lewis were strong in the tackle and used there strength in a very physical game. Harrison, Ryosuke, and Euan worked hard in midfield and covered most if not all of the pitch. Tyler and Callum held the ball up well in attack and ran for everything.

Player of the Match: Tough, tough, tough! This was another tough decision! Today's award went to Euan Burke who worked hard and scored two great goals with powerful shots from the edge of the Lydiard box.

Last modified on Monday 22nd June 2015 at 23:39