21 Nov 2010 - Wanborough Juniors (H)

On a bitter Sunday afternoon Bassett entertained Wanborough at Ballards Ash, looking to build on last week's NWD League win and put some additional pressure on the top teams.

With the game just a couple of minutes old, Bassett went into the lead when a long free kick from Lachlan bounced off the Wanborough keeper straight into the path of Declan Cox who scored a true strikers goal. Bassett went 2-0 up on 6 minutes when Lachlan controlled a goal kick in midfield, passed to Zach who showed immense determination to beat two defenders and shoot low with his left foot into the Wanborough goal.

The pattern of the game had been defined within the first ten minutes. Bassett were solid at the back with Matthew, James, Harry and Charlie well organised by Ed, and looked to play football on the ground when going forward.

On 10 minutes Bassett scored their third goal from what was the move of the season to date. Once again Lachlan controlled a goal kick just in front of the defence. He passed the ball to Lewis who had two touches and gave it back to Lachlan. Lachlan threaded a 15 yard pass through to Declan Cox who squared the ball for Lewis to hit a first time shot from the edge of the box just inside the right hand post. Football in it's most simple form, football at it's best! Control. Pass. Move. Control. Pass. Move. Glorious!!

Five minutes later Bassett almost extended their lead when a corner was eventually cleared to the edge of the box where it was collected by Lachlan to drive a stinging shot towards goal which was well saved by the Wanborough keeper. This chance was soon followed by another when Declan Cox showed great strength against the Wanborough defender and fed the ball out to the right, from where Declan Coffey shot across goal but unfortunately wide of the far post.

Bassett made it four on 21 minutes when a Lachlan free kick was pushed out at the front post by the Wanborough keeper, Declan Cox got his foot to the ball and it fell to Ed who squeezed the ball past both keeper and post to score his first goal in the Blue & Yellow of Bassett.

On 24 minutes Bassett almost made it five but the replacement Wanborough keeper first intercepted a Declan Coffey cross and then made a fine save at Zach's feet to avert the danger.

As half time approached there were chances at both ends. Firstly, Ollie met a Lewis corner but unfortunately knocked the ball just over as a goal beckoned. This was quickly followed by a chance at the Bassett end, but good understanding between Ed and Conor ensured Conor smothered the ball as the Wanborough forward look ready to shoot.

Half-time: 4-0

Bassett started the second half quickly and Matthew, given the freedom of the right wing was playing like a man possessed! On 32 minutes he ran onto a diagonal ball from Zach and travelled into the box, his shot producing a fine save from the Wanborough keeper. On 34 minutes, a swift turn from Ollie created space down the left, he cut the ball back from the by line but unfortunately Lewis's shot hit the side netting.

It was at this moment that Bassett suffered a wobble in their performance. Wanborough started to win more tackles and deservedly got a goal when a long throw caught the Bassett defence on the back foot. The Wanborough winger carried the ball then crossed for the forward to calmly knock the ball past Conor and neatly score from a narrow angle. On 39 minutes a Wanborough corner was cleared back to the corner taker who shot from the angle and clattered the Bassett bar.

After this scare Bassett started to re-impose themselves on the game and play the football that was played during the first half. A long throw saw Lewis be strong and beat the central defender to the ball. Lewis travelled and shot from the edge of the area to produce a fine save from the Wanborough keeper. The resulting corner was half cleared only for Ed's shot to bounce off a defenders arm and into the path of Lewis who scored from 6 yards. Unfortunately, the Ref's whistle had already blown and a penalty had been awarded to Bassett. Lewis took this responsibility himself and struck a firm shot under the body of the diving Wanborough keeper. Five – One Bassett!

During the next 5 minutes Bassett had two chances. Firstly, Declan Cox ran onto a through ball to poke his shot just wide. Then moments later Declan Coffey couldn't quite get a full connection onto a cross from the right wing.

As full time approached, Bassett had another corner which led to an almighty scramble between Zach, Declan Cox and a couple of Wanborough defenders. In the end a trip on Zach presented Bassett with another penalty. Another low shot by Lewis beat the diving keeper to give Bassett their sixth and Lewis his first hat trick in the blue & yellow of Bassett.

Full-time: 6-1

Coach's Match Analysis: A very good victory which was more pleasing from a coach's perspective as the players are starting to take the passing session we are doing at training into our matches. There were so many examples of this in the match but we scored two goals today where the passing and movement was exceptional. Even though we changed the player's positions round in the second half to give everyone time on the pitch, we kept our shape, defended well as a team and continued to create goal scoring opportunities. All 12 players involved performed very well and more importantly, worked hard for each other.

Player of the Match: Dominant and commanding in defence, never wasteful when coming forward. Today's POTM award goes to Edward Fish.

Team: Conor Chivers, Lewis Ward (Capt.), James Evans, Matthew Nicholls, Edward Fish, Harry Woodhouse, Charlie Poynter, Declan Coffey, Declan Cox, Zach Bunce, Lachlan Beggs, Ollie Cameron

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