Sunday 18th April 2010 - Wanborough Juniors (H)

On a delightfully sunny Spring afternoon, the team arrived at Ballards Ash with Coffey and Staten back in the ranks but, with Isaac absent, a fresh face needed in goal. Step forward James Evans!

On a very hard surface, both sides found it difficult to keep the ball under control and James had to be alert early on when a couple of Wanborough attacks found their way through. He was up to the task, though, and there was to be no early breakthrough from the side that beat us so convincingly earlier in the season. For Bassett, all the lads looked lively, with Dec Coffey scurrying after the ball at every opportunity and Coxy showing an eye for goal as usual. Our defence looked very solid today and Harry, Ollie and Matt were all quick to close down and tackle with Ollie also able to launch some tremendous attacking clearances on a number of occasions. The defenders protected James well, although he didn't really need it as he settled into his role with confidence. Our first goal was a fantastic solo effort – Coxy jinked and jived between three separate defenders before slotting a beauty just inside the post: 1 – 0

This spurred Wanborough on and they had a good patch of play despite going up the slope – some skilful players testing us repeatedly with some nice looking forward moves which we had to be alert to. They did manage to score, however, with a strong attack down the left which we failed to clear and the ball was bundled in from close range: 1 – 1

One feature of our play today was the quality of kicks out of defence with both James and Ollie launching far-reaching balls well into Wanborough territory giving valuable ammunition for our forwards. Charlie came on and made some great contributions with head and foot and coming very close to notching his first goal for the team and Bailey fought hard to sustain the strong Bassett defensive performance. The hard pitch took some casualties though and Cox fell heavily, followed shortly after by Dec Coffey but each substitution was absorbed quickly and our great performance continued.

Half-time: 1 – 1

With the potential shown by Wanborough in the first half, we expected their downhill attacks to really test us but, to be honest, they rarely troubled us in the second half and it was Bassett who now turned on the style. Despite the significant slope, our lads created chance after chance, fighting for possession and then using it intelligently when they got it. Ollie continued to impress at the back, with Harry alongside keeping the Bassett door firmly shut. Matt was up for the fight as usual, not letting our opposition settle on the ball. We then had two gilt-edged chances in quick succession with Coxy heading against the post from two yards and then seeing a shot from even nearer well saved by the keeper.

The deserved winner came in the end, though, and it was a classic. A George corner floated over the heads of everyone onto the foot of Coxy who volleyed home from the edge of the area past a despairing 'keeper to snatch his 26th goal of a fine season: 2 – 1

This was no more than Bassett deserved and they played out the last few minutes without any danger to notch their 5th victory of the campaign.

Man of the match: George Staten – There were many strong candidates today but George gets the nod for his tireless and skilful display. He tracked back when needed but was also a significant attacking threat with his corners, in particular, causing havoc in the opposition box.

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