17 Feb 2013 - Lydiard Youth (A)

More than 6 weeks into the year but Wotton Bassett Whites have only their second fixture of the year, and that is against the same team they played a few weeks ago. The teams are the same but the venue has changed and we have swapped the wet and sticky pitch of Wootton Bassett Academy with the swaying long grass of Kingsdown School. For a change a cold grey morning promises some warming sunshine later on.

Wootton Bassett Whites presented a full compliment of players, including new arrival Scott Hawson, who is welcomed back into the team. With Niall starting between the sticks the Whites are afforded the luxury of 3 substitutes.

Right from the start it's clear that the long grass is going to present a problem as the ball just isn't rolling for either team. Lydiard push forward from the onset and win an early corner. The cross is cleared by a good header from Jordan which is collected by Zach who lays a neat pass to Todd charging down the right wing. The Lydiard defence push Todd wide but Wootton Bassett win the throw. Zach takes a quick throw over the top of the Lydiard defenders which Todd collects and runs into the Lydiard area but Zak is unable to connect with the pass across the box.

Lydiard try to build from the back but Grant nips in on a short pass on the left and is able to cross to Zak. Zak has his back too goal when he controls the ball but makes a nice turn and is able to get a good shot away but it is just wide.

A great tackle from Matthew wins the ball for the Whites in midfield and Todd is again on hand to pick up the ball. Driving forward Todd delivers a cross to Zach at the far post who tries a little chip shot over the advancing keeper but this drifts just past the top right corner.

This time it's Ollie making the tackle in midfield and he delivers a nicely weighted pass to Justin as he is in full flight down the left wing. The Lydiard defender is slightly ahead of Justin but can only put the ball out for a corner. Jordan delivers this straight to Brads feet in the box and he is able to calmly slot home for the Whites first goal of the morning.

Bassett 1 – 0

In the long grass Wootton Bassett are struggling a little to get the passing game going properly as the ball is not running at all and passes are sometimes going short. Lydiard are pushing for an equaliser and break through the Bassett defence and deliver the ball into the box. A goalmouth scramble ensues and the ball ricochets out for a Lydiard corner. The resulting cross is delivered to the near post where Niall makes a fine save at the top corner.

Zach gets the ball in midfield and delivers a defence-splitting pass to Zak running into space. Zak rounds the keeper and slots in the second.

Bassett 2 – 0

Shortly after the restart Scott and Zak combine in a superb 1-2 which puts Zak through. He neatly swerves past the Lydiard defenders and shoots past the despairing Lydiard keeper for his second of the day.

Bassett 3 – 0

Half Time 3 – 0

Wootton Bassett attack early in the second half and a goal mouth scramble ensues in the Lydiard box. However, the ball breaks down the right and a Lydiard attacker runs the ball the length of the pitch but Niall is alert and comes out to narrow the angle and makes a fine save from the Lydiard attackers shot.

Soon afterward, Lydiard win a free kick on the right which is crossed into the Bassett box over the wall, and over the defence but Niall again provides a safe pair of hands as he collects the ball before the incoming Lydiard players.

Grant is busy in midfield and takes the ball from Lydiard. A pass to Zak sets him off toward goal but, with good awareness, he's spots Jordan in a better position and lays off to him. Jordan strikes the ball first time but the shot ends up in the side netting.

Zak turns provider again a few minutes later when he gives the ball to Todd on the edge of the Lydiard area but the resulting shot slips just wide of the post.

Lydiard drive forward again but James is alert and intercepts in his own half. Under pressure a neat back-heel to Todd sends him off down the left where he finds Zak with a lovely layoff. Zaks shot slams into the Lydiard post and is cleared from danger.

Brad is fouled midway in the Lydiard half. Jordan delivers a super free kick into the heart of the Lydiard penalty area where it falls to Grant who doesn't need to be asked twice and calmly slots home.

Bassett 4 – 0

With great vision James calls Todd off a loose ball and instead sends Todd on forward. James then finds him with a super pass and Todd squeezes the ball between the keeper and his near post to make it five.

Bassett 5 – 0

The Whites win another free-kick midway in the Lydiard half and Jordan steps up. This time though he strikes the ball hard and low straight through the crowded Lydiard penalty area and into the net.

ONVOLDBassett 6 – 0

Lydiard still attack given the opportunity and put pressure on the Bassett defence. Niall thows the ball to James who finds himself under pressure from a Lydiard forward and with nowhere to go tries to pass back to the keeper. But the long grass slows the ball and a Lydiard attacker is able to nip in and slot the ball into the Bassett net.

Bassett 6 – 1

Bassett are pushed back in their own half but Zak intercepts a short pass and bursts through, flying down the right wing and jinking in toward the Lydiard goal again. Zaks first shot is well saved but he picks up the rebound and fires home to collect his hat-trick.

Bassett 7 – 1

A throw from James a little later finds Zak again on the edge of the box. The ball comes off a Lydiard player but the keeper is unable to clear it and it falls again to Zak to score for his 4th of the morning.

Bassett 8 – 1

Full Time - Wootton Bassett Whites 8 Lydiard Youth 1

It seemed that the long grass could have hampered the Wootton Bassett passing game but the boys seemed to adapt very quickly to the slower pace on the ball and were able to take advantage when the opportunities presented themselves. For his 4 goals and non-stop effort an Of The Match was awarded to Zak Thompson

Wootton Bassett Whites : Zach Bunce, Oliver Cameron (Capt), James Evans, Todd Goddard (1), Justin Hemedy, Scott Hawson, Jordan Langford (1), Grant Moynihan (1), Matthew Nichols, Brad Sealey (1), Zak Thompson (4), Niall Wright

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