10 Oct 2010 - Old Town United (A)

An early start on a cold and cloudy Sunday morning for Wooton Bassett U11's as they travelled back to the long grass of Lainsmead School this week to meet Old Town United.

The early spell of pressure belonged to Old Town and they had an early chance from a corner which was headed just wide. A couple of minutes later, Bassett made their first forays into the opponents half as Dec broke down right, his speed taking him past a couple of Old Town defenders and his final cross was parried by the Old Town keeper for a corner.

Harry and Matt were working hard in defence to break down the Old Town attacks, Harry making a particularly good tackle on 8 minutes to snuff out a break down the right. Bassett were defending well under sustained pressure.

On 10 minutes the ball broke for Bassett with Ashton making a fine run down the left but the final ball saw Zach caught marginally offside. Old Town attacked immediately and it required a great tackle from debutant Lachlan, tracking back well, to break up another attack.

The passing game of the two teams was thwarted somewhat by the long grass and possession was flicking back and forth between them in midfield with no clear chances being made for either side. Old Town appeared to make the best of this period though and had 2 shooting chances on 18 and 21 minutes which both went narrowly wide.

Bassett soaked up this period of pressure, Charlie and Lewis doing a stirling job in defence. As the half drew to a close Bassett started to exert themselves over their rivals. Callum played a superb through ball to Ashton whose shot forced a fine save from the Old Town keeper.

Seconds later Charlie wins the ball in midfield and a good pass falls to Dec out on the right. His drive stretches the Old Town keeper once again. Bassett win a free kick on the edge of the area and Lewis shoots hard and low through a crowded penalty area to make the Old Town keeper work hard again to keep a clean sheet.

On the stroke of half-time James makes a defence splitting pass through to Zach, his shot beat the diving Old Town keeper only to pass just the wrong side of the post.

Half-time 0 – 0

Bassett started the second half as they finished the first and exerted early pressure. 2 minutes in a corner from Callum bounced around in the Old Town box, just needing a tap from a Bassett player to break the deadlock.

Unfortunately, the deadlock was broken a minute later when Old Town broke down the left. Their forwards powerful shot squirmed through Connors fingers and a prowling Old Town attacker nipped around and pounced on the loose ball to steal a lead. 0 – 1.

On 5 minutes a nice volley from Lachlan sent the Old Town keepers goal-kick straight back to him and he had to be quick to prevent the Bassett equaliser. Nice link play between James, Callum, and Zach put the ball into the danger area and Old Town were lucky not to concede an own goal. The resulting corner was whipped in by Callum to be met at the near post by the head of Lewis for a fine goal in the top left corner. 1 – 1.

Dec and Callum worked hard in midfield and a nice one-two between Zach and Oliver saw Oliver caught just offside. An Old Town move down the right saw Connor make a fine stop in a crowded area. 15 minutes in to the half Dec chased a loose ball down the right and provided a great cross to Zach to force a save from the keeper. However, Old Town broke straight back and a good passing move straight through the middle of the Bassett defence left Connor stranded and Old Town regained the lead. 1 – 2.

Matt and Oliver, working hard to regain possession, pushed the ball through to Lewis now playing a more advanced role, but his shot was saved. Old Town piled on the pressure for a spell and Bassett found it hard to clear the ball from their end. Harry made another one of many great tackles to prevent an Old Town attack.

On 27 minutes Zach made a nice turn and run to break through but an Old Town defender deflected his shot past their goal. The resulting corner falls to the feet of Dec but he can't quite dig it out to get his shot away. In the final minutes a super pass from Ashton gives Callum space to make a fine cross to Dec in the Old Town area but again, his shot is saved and Bassett are unable to get back on even terms.

Full-time: 1 - 2

Coach's Match Analysis: The game was very even and probably a draw would've been a fair result on a pitch that once again had grass that was too long and as a result both team struggled to pass the ball with any real conviction.

Both teams fought hard for each other and unfortunately the game hinged on a very rare mistake from Conor and the absence of top scorer Declan Cox through injury, as any team will miss a player of Declans quality.

All 12 players put in an excellent shift and worked their socks off throughout the game and deserved a draw but as we all know football can sometimes be a cruel game and this was one of those days when things didn't quite go for us. It certainly wasn't for the want of trying though so well done boys and unlucky.

Player of the Match: For his hard work down the left and for execution of the coaches tactics today's POTM award goes to Callum Bridges.

Team: Conor Chivers, Matthew Nicholls, Charlie Poynter, Harry Woodhouse, James Evans, Lewis Ward (Capt.), Lachlan Beggs, Oliver Cameron, Ashton Fear, Callum Bridges, Declan Coffey, Zach Bunce

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