Sunday 4th October 2009 - Stratton Juniors 'B' (H)

Just before the match it looked a bit like the krypton factor as Nige attempted to build the goal post in record time. Lindsay and Robbo came to the rescue as Debbie and I watched on, making notes!! Once sorted there was an initial mix up of which team we were playing. Wootton Bassett under 9's had their ritual group hug team talk to start proceedings. The commencement of the game had one more slight hitch when the ball held up play, needing a pump up. Then it got under way. It started off nicely as Cameron – captain for the match today – got hold of the ball. There was nice play on and off the pitch as some spectators had their own mini game to help try and get the ball back on the right track.

Just before Stratton Juniors got their first goal excitement was mounting as our guys tackled their feet off but Stratton Juniors fought back, retrieved the ball and made it their first goal. Our second team of midfielders then hit the pitch, Archie came down but was soon back up fighting for the ball. There was some jumping by Joe with some very professional dancing around the ball to confuse the opposition. Nice work Joe! Mat the cat did some fantastic strong throw ins for our lads today helping them to get that ball closer to SJ's goalie. One in particular almost helped make it on target but Bassett just couldn't get a break in that first half. George sustained a very nasty hit in the face from the ball – some of the spectators thought that would force him off but not George – he bravely carried on with some great tackles and great runs with the ball.

Huw had to play duck a few times on pitch today as the ball came hurling through the air from one or two throw ins and on one occasion had him on the floor. We had a slippery pitch again today and quite a few lads were playing footy from the floor.

At half time the score was 0-1 but this didn't have our lads too dismayed from what we could hear from the positive whoops and shouts coming from the blues group and team Captain Camerons half time team talk!! So far the opposition had dominated the game although this wasn't due to Bassett not trying – I think today showed the opposition to be more physical and perhaps more organized than us – not because we were slacking.

Just into the second half there was a good attempt on goal from Ryan but just a little short on the rocket fuel. Then Cameron took a knock to the face which unfortunately forced him to come off the pitch due to a nose bleed causing our captain to stay off for what seemed some time. Off pitch though he was being every bit the captain in reassuring some of the now subs, who were feeling a little deflated and concerned at how they had influenced the game so far. Harrison had a concentrated look at the goal when he had hold of the ball, weighing up the odds – spectators were willing him to just welly it but it's all down to the lads on the pitch not the big kids off the pitch. Goal number 2 from the opposition came in soon after, to our disappointment – almost a slow motion shot as some of the blues watched in stunned silence mentally urging it over the cross bar – unfortunately it wasn't to be, but 5 minutes later the Bassett Boys were back in the game with an absolutely fantastic shot by Archie – what a goal!! Brilliant!! Just the oomph the team needed! Another nice throw in by Mat the Cat in the direction we needed to go but not quite on the target. Archie's' goal though had certainly given Wootton Bassett some new fire in their feet – it was just what we needed to get us back in the running. Unfortunately for our fab scorer though, he came off shortly after with a knee injury. With only 10 or 15 minutes to go and another 2 disheartening goals for Stratton Juniors, today was not going to be Wootton Bassetts' triumph. So no clean sheet for Stratton Juniors thanks to Archies goal and all in all there were some brilliant runs, great tackles and defending from the lads in blue – we made it towards the goal a fair few times but sometimes things just got in a muddle once there. But enough said all this is still great experience and learning for all concerned.

Well, like the manager said, guess it had to happen at some point, although not 'an end' but perhaps just a hold up, an intermission. Stratton Juniors were a very strong team today and did dominate much of the game as their goalie showed whilst stood waiting for some action in some of the first half. So the questions are; Were the jelly babies a different brand today? Did Nige have some ulterior motive in getting his hair cut? Was Ralph secretly playing away (that is wearing his white, orange and black colours)? Or were Stratton Juniors just simply the better team today? I still say Tina Turner is right on the nail – come on you blues, had to be a defeat at some point but don't you boys be defeated!!!

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