Sunday 21st September 2008 - Elite Soccer Coaching (H)

After hearing that we had drawn Elite Soccer for our first ever Cup game, we were looking forward to it with some trepidation. It was the classic cup tie – David Vs Goliath!

However, our spirits were greatly raised by the fact that we were not only playing at Rylands way but we had the Glorious Sunshine.

Knowing this was going to be a difficult match for us Ian and I impressed on the players the need to play as a team and to work our socks off all over that pitch.

The game started with Bassett showing great determination, they meant business. There was great tackling and forward play from George, Declan C and Ben, who really pressed the Elite midfield.

Harry and Scott (playing his first game of the season) both kept a tight defence making life difficult for the Elite forwards, who were at times really testing.

Beckham was as reliable as ever between the sticks with a good couple of saves early on he kept the score at 0-0.

Elite began to show there class which resulted in them scoring to make it 1-0. The Bassett Players kept their heads up and battled back into the game with a lot of positions and good play with Issac a constant threat up front.

Elite finally managed to breach the solid defence just before half time to make it 2-0 to Elite.

Half Time 2-0

Ian and I were impressed with the work rate the lads had put in especially playing in the hot weather, they came back on undeterred and determined to battle on.

During the second half our players kept pressing and eventually their hard work paid off with Matthew following up on a shot to score his first goal of the season.

I think this surprised Elite Soccer who doubled their efforts, this was game on!

Unfortunately for Bassett Elite managed to score from a corner to make it 3-1.

The boys didn't drop their heads instead they began to get their wind up and had some great play a real example of team work, which resulted in Bassett winning a free kick after good work from Decs From that Tom hit an unstoppable shot from 20 yards out giving their keeper no hope.

This really motivated Bassett who continued to apply pressure to a back peddling Elite side. Bassett had opportunity to level the match but were denied by good defending play from Elite.

The final whistle went with the boys walking off the pitch knowing that they had given Elite Soccer a run for their money.

FANTASTIC game boys all of the coaches were thoroughly impressed keep it up!

On entering the game today Elite had scored 18 goals and conceded only 2. With this in mind I think we were the real victors on the day!

Player of the match: Tom Taylor-Adey

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