09 Sep 2012 - Ferndale Rodbourne A (A)

Well what a game to get the season started! Two good teams playing some great exciting football!

We knew to expect a strong, well drilled Ferndale team who we think will be one of the top teams again this season. But with spirits and confidence high we started well, passing the ball and competing equally.

An early sign of Ferndales quality came with some neat passing and a cross shot from the impressive winger which flashed across goal and went wide. From the resulting goal kick we gave possession away and they fashioned another chance which Josh saved well but the rebound fell to Ferndale and with no mistake they took the lead.

Bassett were not put off and continued the same way and created a half chance on the break which was saved comfortably. Then at the other end Fernadale had a break and Josh again made an outstanding save on the edge of his area with one hand. Had this gone in, the game may well of been a different story! A few minutes later a poor Fernalde clearance went straight to Jack Holder who took a touch and shot which the keeper could only parry straight to Nat who coolly slotted home to level the scores.

Bassett again came under some pressure and from another attempted clearance gave the ball away which the tricky winger made space for himself and whipped the ball in where an unfortunate Oliver had to attack the ball under pressure but could only head into the net for an OG. Again though, heads did not drop and hard work in midfield from Marshall, Adam and Jack forced Ferndale back and Nat stole the ball from the defender, had a couple of touches and raced to get a toe on the ball before the keeper and leveled again.

Half Time was welcome and at 2-2 both teams probably felt they had the edge!

Second half started well, we began to look on top with the change in shape for Ferndale, our midfield started to get more of the ball and were attacking in numbers. The next goal came from a bouncing ball that Adam stole, broke forward and fed Nat who struck again for his hat-trick. Ferndale repsonded well and had a few shots and crosses that were dealt with superbly by Josh, JT and Jamie who was reading the game excellently, Ferndale created another good chance but once again Josh proved equal to it with a superb top corner save at full stretch. From the corner the ball fell to Jack Holder who broke out at pace and sent Nat away. Again and he made no mistake to make the score 4-2 to Bassett.

We created another couple of chances with Jamie pushing into midfield he had a cross shot which went wide, then Nat again using his strength to get a chance that rolled onto the post, with the keeper stranded Adam and the Ferndale defender both slid to get the ball which the defender just reached first and cleared.

We began to think that we could score again and pushed on too much which invited Ferndale on, who were having more chances, shooting wide and over and now the pressure seemed endless. They pulled one back on the break after another save from Josh which fell to Ferndale and they made no mistake to pull the score back to 4-3 and put hearts in mouths on the sides!

As we were holding on for the final few minutes a throw in to Nat gave him space to attack the box where he crossed for Marshall who timed his run well to smash the ball home to finish the game 5 - 3.

An excellent all round performance with everyone paying well. From the side opinion was either Nat or Josh as MOM but Josh just shaded it with his performance and two outstanding saves.

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