13 Nov 2011 - Croft Juniors Red (A)

Date of Match: 13 November 2011 Team/Age Group: Under 12s Opponents: Croft Juniors (Away) Result: Lost 2-4 Scorers: Callum Bridges, Brad Seally

After a 5 week lay off, with a new kit and under blue skies, this almost felt like the start of a new season as Bassett travelled to Croft Juniors for their latest league match. Table topping Croft were going to be, and proved to be, tough opponents for the boys.

The initial moments of the game belonged to Bassett who won a corner within the first minute. Nothing came of it and Croft then took control and the next passage of play was almost entirely in the Bassett half. Despite the possessional dominance, Croft didn't get a shot on target.

It was against the run of play when Bassett took the lead. A throw down the right by Charlie was flicked on by Declan Cox. The Croft central defender dwelled on the ball and lost control, Callum seizing the moment and firing a first time shot over the Croft keeper to put Bassett in the lead.

The new set up looked to be working well, with the defence holding firm and Zach making a couple of strong runs through midfield. Some neat touches by Brad up front helped link the play and lead to another goal by Bassett on 10 minutes which unfortunately was ruled out for offside. Five minutes later a Croft shot was deflected but Conor was alert and made a fine save down at the foot of his left hand post. Moments later Croft were nearly level when a corner was delivered right under the Bassett bar, the final shot flying wide from six yards.

Bassett created a chance on 20 minutes when Lewis broke up a Croft attack, his ball found Callum who in turn gave Brad a ball to run onto. Bard's shot being well saved by the Croft keeper. A minute later Croft almost levelled the scores when their attack out-paced the Bassett defence and the shot across goal was inches away the desperate dive of the centre forward and inches wide of the right hand post. Croft were level on 24 minutes when the ball was not fully cleared by Bassett and there were just too many Croft shirts spare to provide an easy opportunity for the forward, that this time wasn't squandered.

As half time approached a missed tackle was punished as the Croft winger took the ball into the Bassett box and fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the goal. Half-time: 1-2

Two minutes into the second half Bassett drew level. Callum found Declan Cox back to goal on the edge of the Croft box. Declan knocked the ball over his left shoulder towards goal. The back-peddling Croft keeper saved the ball from going in the goal and pushed the ball out from under the bar, bur Brad was on hand to slam home from to yards for his debut goal.

Croft didn't take long to take the lead back with a goal that probably showed the difference in the two teams. The initial header was won by the Bassett defender but Croft reacted quicker to the loose ball and a shot was pushed against the post by Conor. Again Croft got to the loose ball first, the resulting shot finding the back of the Bassett net.

Moments later Croft almost increased their lead when another loose ball in front of the Bassett defence was picked up by the Croft midfield and the fine strike was matched by a fine one-handed diving save by Conor.

As the game was drawing to a close Bassett pushed players up looking for the equaliser. A long free kick from the back was met by a Bassett player but again Bassett were slow to the second phase ball. Croft took the lose ball and within two passes Bassett were exposed two-on-one at the back. As Conor advanced off his line to shut down the Croft attacker, he unselfishly squared the ball to his strike partner to knock the ball into the open goal.

Full-time: 2-4

Coach's Match Analysis: A game as a coach when you can be proud of the effort, determination and character showed by the boys against the league leaders. The difference is that when you make mistakes this season compared to last you get punished which was the difference between the two teams today. This was a much improved performance and we played some good football which resulted in 2 good goals and several other good chances. It's important to try and learn from each game both as players and coaches. Well done lads and keep the belief.

Player of the Match: Tackled hard and was strong in the centre of defensive. Today's POTM award goes to Edward Fish

Team: Conor Chivers, Edward Fish, James Evans, Charlie Poynter (Capt.), Harry Woodhouse, Matthew Nicholls, Declan Coffey, Callum Bridges, Lewis Ward, Lachlan Beggs, Zach Bunce, George Staten, Declan Cox, Brad Seally

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