Sunday 24th January 2010 - Lydiard Youth 'B' (A)

Bassett "A" Team returned to Rylands Way for the first time in over two months to play this "away" game with Lydiard Youth "B". After the long lay-off due to the bad weather the anticipation and eagerness to play football again could be seen in all the players.

The first few minutes were action packed, with Bassett creating an opening right from the back when Conor passed to Lewis, who advanced the ball down the right to Euan. Unfortunately, Tyler couldn't quite get a full header on the ball as the cross was whipped over. Lydiard came straight back and forced Bassett to defend two consecutive corners. From the second. Bassett broke down the right. A smart move between Zach and Euan saw a low cross find Callum at the far post. Unfortunately his shot went narrowly wide of the left hand post.

On 6 minutes Bassett had the ball in the Lydiard net but the goal was ruled out as Zach was judged to have kicked the ball out of the Lydiard keeper's hands.

Bassett were building the pressure on the Lydiard defence who were working incredibly hard for each other. From deep, Lewis put the ball back into the Lydiard box and Tyler was denied the opening goal by an excellent save from the Lydiard keeper. A minute later, another fine ball from deep by Lewis found Tyler 6 yards from goal. Unfortunately, control was not gained on the ball and the chance went begging.

On 17 minutes Bassett took the lead when Euan found Tyler down the left. Tyler cut in from the wing and unleashed a shot. The ball struck a Lydiard defender and deflected to Zach, who pushed the ball back across the box for Tyler to strike a well timed shot into the back of the Lydiard net.

Half Time: 1-0

Straight from the kick off Bassett exerted immense pressure on the strong Lydiard defence. Four consecutive corners were awarded to Bassett but no clear opportunities were created. The fifth corner of the half was awarded to Lydiard, the ball flying through the Bassett front post defence, but unluckily for Lydiard missed any connection from an advancing forward.

On 32 minutes, Lewis tackled back and won the ball off the Lydiard midfield. He then found Euan who travelled for 20 yards and shot narrowly wide of the goal.

Both teams were working hard and defending extremely well. Beckham and Alanah were strong in the tackle for Bassett and Jordan was his normal creative self and looked to use the ball at every opportunity. On 38 minutes, Jordan's ball found Lewis who in turn found Zach down the left. Unfortunately this fine move just failed to convert as the final pass eluded Euan by inches.

Lydiard drew level on 43 minutes when a long throw saw a bit of head tennis in the Bassett box, the ball eventually looping over Conor for the Lydiard forward to tap in from a yard.

It was going to be interesting how Bassett reacted to this setback. To their credit heads didn't go down and the team pushed forward to get the winner. A Lydiard attack was broken down by a Jordan tackle. Conor was alert to stop the ball as it deflected towards goal. Callum picked up the lose ball and passed to Euan who found Lewis on the right. As the ball fizzed across the box no contact could be made by a Bassett boot.

In the dying moments Bassett were unlucky not to win the game when first Lewis cut in from the right and shot, only to see the ball rebound off the far post. This was shortly followed by a curling Callum shot that produced a fine save from the Lydiard keeper.

Full-time: 1-1

Match Analysis: The first points dropped by Bassett "A" Team this season but the team can hold their heads high. This was an excellent performance considering the lack of football played over the last few weeks. As ever, Lydiard were fine opponents and worked well as a team. Unfortunately for Bassett, the lay-off probably contributed to the lack of the "knock-out" punch which would have killed off the game.

Player of the Match: Strong and determined in both midfield and defence. Today's POTM award goes to Beckham Hulbert.

Team: Conor Chivers, Lewis Ward, Jordan Taylor, Alanah Edwards, Euan Burke (Capt), Callum Bridges, Zach Bunce, Beckham Hulbert, Tyler Fitchett

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