06 Jan 2013 - Lydiard Youth (H)

Wootton Bassett Whites first game of 2013 was a fixture against Lydiard Youth. A cold and grey afternoon and with all of the rain over the Christmas period the pitch was wet and sticky.

With only 9 players available for the fixture it was down to a couple of the boys to share the goalkeeping duties with Zach stepping in between the sticks for the first half.

An even start on the heavy pitch with both sides trying to make an early impression but a lack of width meant the game was becoming compressed in the midfield. Wootton Bassett start to get the better of the position and try to push the game upfield into the Lydiard half. A thrown in is won halfway down the Lydiard touchline and Matthews throw in comes straight back to him from a Lydiard defender. Matthew delivers a lovely cross with the returning ball into the heart of the Lydiard penalty area where it is met by the forehead of Zak but the header slipped past the post into the side netting.

The Bassett pressure continues and they force a corner. Jordan delivers a super cross which flies straight through the Lydiard penalty area without a touch from anybody. Lydiard pick up the loose ball and break straight away down their right and manage to get a menacing cross away before Ollie gets the ball under control and switches the play nicely out to out on the right of the defence. Matthew beavers away down the touchline and makes a nice pass down the line for Jordan to run onto. A Lydiard defender intercepts but at the expense of another corner which is again whipped in by Jordan but the curling ball is tipped over the bar by the Lydiard keeper.

Lydiard try to advance up the pitch but Brad makes a nice tackle in midfield. Justin picks up the loose ball and beats a defender as he streaks back towards the Lydiard goal. The rifle shot forces a great save from the Lydiard keeper.

Moments later Jordan takes a throw in to Brad on the right who makes a great turn to leave his marker standing. A powerful shot forces another great save but the balls falls back at Brads feet. No room to shoot this time but Brad slips a nice short ball through to Justin in a little more space who blasts his shot narrowly over the bar.

James is able to collect the ball in space in midfield and has time to run at the retreating Lydiard players. Just before a challenge comes James delivers a neat pass through the defenders to an onrushing Justin who jinks around the last defender before finishing beautifully past a diving keeper into the bottom left corner.

Bassett 1 – 0

Lydiard make a couple of advances down their right but Todd and Ollie work hard to keep the ball away from the Bassett goal and Zach is untroubled.

Half Time 1 – 0

James takes a turn in goal for Bassett in the second half and Lydiard start the brighter team and win a couple of corners in quick succession but the Bassett defend them all well and avert the threat.

James takes a goal kick and finds Jordan out on the right flank. Jordan covers some ground before passing to Zach who in turn puts in Justin who is able to slot his shot under the keeper into the Lydiard net.

Bassett 2 – 0

Lydiard push out in numbers in search of a response but the ball ends up in James' arms. A quick rollout to Jordan in space with time to pass to Zak who makes a nice run and slots a ball through to Todd racing down the left. However, the Lydiard keeper is just as alert and rushes out to make an interception at Todd's feet.

Lydiard make a nice run down the right and an inch perfect pass leaves the Bassett defence stranded but the attackers shot is just off target. The Lydiard midfield deliver another dangerous ball at the Bassett defence shortly after but Matthew collects and makes a long clearance upfield. The long ball is superbly met on the volley by Zak who fires the third goal into the roof of the net.

Bassett 3 – 0

Bassett continue to press and win another corner. Jordans corner falls to Brad on the edge of the area and he shoots hard and low but the Lydiard keeper makes another great save. A great goal kick from the Lydiard keeper clears the Bassett defence completely and leaves an attacker 1-on-1 with James. James stands up well to the attacker as he prepares to shoot and the shot goes wide.

A ball out from the Bassett defence comes to Zak who beats a player before playing out to Todd on the left wing. Todd brings the ball up the left hand side at speed and passes back to Zach on the edge of the box. Zach plays back to Todd who continued his run who then finishes with a superb strike past a despairing keeper into the top right corner.

Bassett 4 – 0

Shortly after, a Jordan throw comes to Zak who makes a great run into the Lydiard box before passing to Zach but his curling shot is narrowly wide.

Full Time - Wootton Bassett Whites 4 Lydiard Youth 0

The conditions underfoot weren't great again but Wootton Bassett Whites were able to show their class again, with some great passing, good tackling, and non-stop effort, especially with no substitutes to enable anyone a rest. For a great pass for the first goal and a solid stint in goal Man Of The Match was awarded to James. Managers Comments: Another solid team performance with both Zach and James taking their turn in goal at short notice. Again everyone worked well together and improved as the game went on to gain a well earned victory and another clean sheet.

Wootton Bassett Whites : Zach Bunce, Oliver Cameron, James Evans, Todd Goddard (1), Justin Hemedy (2), Jordan Langford, Matthew Nicholls, Brad Sealey, Zak Thompson (1)

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