Sunday 23rd November 2008 - Stratton Youth (A)

The U9s A Team travelled to Pewsey to play in the round of the North Wilts Cup. The cold and wet of Bassett only got worse as we headed over the Marlborough downs. With the rain lashing down and a cold wind blowing across the sloping pitch, this looked to be a tough test for the Bassett team and an even sterner test for the match report note taker!!!

Bassett chose to play up the slope first half and took a little while to become accustomed. The uneven surface, wet and slippy conditions made it very tough to get control of the ball. The first 5 minutes went by without much of an opening at either end. Bassett took the lead in the 6th minute when Ryosuke won the ball and slipped a nice pass through to Euan who ran into the space to place the ball low into the corner of the Pewsey goal.

Euan came close to his second goal just a minute later when he broke clear and shot the ball into the side netting from a tight angle. On 12 minutes Euan did make it a brace when he picked up the ball in midfield, headed to goal but could not find room for a shot and so passed to Ryosuke, who returned the ball straight back to Euan who now had the time to riffle a smart shot into the roof of the goal.

Bassett got two further chances before half time unfortunately neither were converted. The first was a nice combination of passes that allowed Callum to run onto a free ball to fire a shot just over the Pewsey bar. Moments after, Callum went down the right wing, put in a great low cross, which was met on the full by Tyler but the Pewsey keeper made a good save.

The last action of the half was at the Bassett end, when a quick break was broken up by Alanah only for the ball to be put quickly back into the Bassett box where an alert Conor came off his line to make a brave save at the feet of the Pewsey forward.

Half-time: 0-2

With the advantage of the slope in the second half Bassett looked to take control of the game. Only two minutes into the half, Callum cut in from the right and curled a low shot with his left foot into the corner of the goal.

A minute later a quick throw by Lewis found Tyler, he passed the ball to Callum, whose low cross/shot was pushed out by the keeper only to fall at the feet of Harrison who knocked the ball into the open net.

Bassett were now in top gear and kept the pressure up on the Pewsey defence. A near post corner was cleared but picked up by Callum. His cross was curled to the far post but the outstretched toe of Tyler couldn't quite make any contact on the ball.

The fifth Bassett goal came when Ryosuke ran onto a throw, crossed the ball and an unmarked Tyler slipped the ball under the Pewsey keeper. Soon after this Tyler made it six. Euan beat two people on the right and fired a hard shot which the keeper did well to save, but Tyler followed up at pace and knocked the ball in from a yard.

Even though Bassett were 6-0 up, the team didn't relax and worked hard for each other. Some tough battling by both Ryosuke and Tyler won the ball back on the left hand side of midfield. A ball was slipped to Callum who shot from the edge of the area to score his second and Bassett's 7th.

Pewsey finally got a goal as reward for their hard work. Two consecutive corners saw an unmarked Jack Diamond shoot home from 6 yards.

Bassett didn't stop going forward and two fine saves by the Pewsey keeper denied first Euan and then Tyler their hatricks. The 8th goal eventually came when Euan picked up the ball and ran in from the left wing. His well place shot, curled into the net at the foot of the post.

Soon after a free kick was struck against the post by Lewis, Alanah followed up the rebound but her shot was blocked, the loose ball was pounced on by Tyler and the Pewsey keeper made another fine save to keep out Tyler's hard shot.

A long clearance from Pewsey bounced through the Bassett defence and the forward, nipped between defenders, stretched out his leg and slipped the ball past Conor. With the ball goal bound, Conor some how ran back and dived to scoop the ball wide of the post and out for a corner. This fine save was immediately followed by one just as good at the other end. Ryosuke broke from midfield, his first shot was well blocked but he picked up the ball again and fired the ball first time, the Pewsey keeper dived to his right to push the ball round the post.

With the game drawing to a close, Bassett scored their ninth. Ryosuke moved forward again, the defender got in the tackle but Alanah got the ball back and crossed for Lewis to knock the ball in at the far post.

Match Analysis: Bassett were in control for most of the game and really took advantage of the slope early in the second half. Even though there was quick rotation of substitutes in an attempt to keep everyone warm, all the players looked very comfortable even if playing out of their normal position. The defence was secure and well marshalled by Jordan. The midfield passed the ball with accuracy and the forwards held up the play, waiting for the best option rather than heading straight to goal.

Player of the Match: Another good team performance. Everyone contributed to this excellent result. Player of the Match goes to Callum Bridges who ran for everything, made some penetrating crosses and scored his first two goals of the season.

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