25 Sep 2011 - Ferndale Rodbourne Pumas (H)

Today we welcomed Ferndale Rodbourne Pumas to Ballards Ash for what we thought would be a close encounter. And so it proved to be.

We started the match well and slowly but surely looked to be slightly on top of the play, that was very much being battled out in midfield. Our first real attack coming when a long throw, from Charlie was gathered up by Jack, only to see his shot well saved by the Ferndale keeper. Ferndale responded to this and started pressurising the Bassett goal, and got their reward after Bassett failed to clear the ball properly against the wind, and Ferndale returned the ball into the goal.

Shortly after this set back, Bassett won a couple of corners in quick succession which Ferndale defended well, but Billy was still able to get a shot on goal that the keeper did well to keep out. Billy was unlucky a few moments later when he hit the crossbar. But again Ferndale broke well down the right and following a good cross into the box, James T had to be on top form to keep the ball out. Jack responded with a great attacking run with the ball which was only thwarted by the Ferndale keeper making another good save. Joe into the centre of midfield worked hard and found some space which allowed him to get more involved and it wasn't long before he was getting shots in on goal. After a few more opportunities for both teams the half time whistle blew. The message at half time was that we were unlucky to be down a goal, and if the players all play to their ability they could get a result.

The second half continued the same as the first half, with both teams good attacking play being cancelled out by good defending. James Y was unlucky when his first time strike when just wide. Chas was tireless in midfield and his endless energy again got the team out of some sticky positions. Nat and Charlie were solid in defence, with James T again growing in confidence. Billy and Joe were getting the ball down and at times playing some good football, and Jack as ever looked a threat up front, but as sometimes happens, when to equally matched team cancel each other out, no goals were added in the second half and the match was ended with a 1-0 defeat for Bassett.

It's sometimes disappointing to lose, I would say we deserved something out of the game, the lads never gave up, but maybe at times we weren't compact enough and never really got our passing game going today. But take nothing away from Ferndale they defended and played well. I'm still confident we can play better as new players settle in, but as happens to every team at some point, we weren't quite good enough today.

That said we need to remember and focus the lads on the positives (and there were plenty) and move onto the next match.

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