09 Sep 2012 - Wickham Wanderers (H)

Date of Match: 9 September 2012 Team/Age Group: Under 13s Opponents: Wickham Wanderers (Home) Result: Won 5-1 Scorer: Lewis Chilod, Charlie Emmerson, Declan Cox, George Staten, Jamie Byron

With the high level of summer signings and with only four of last season's squad starting this match, two more sat ready on the bench expectations couldn't have been higher at the start of the opening match of the 2012/13 season.

It took a whole minute for the boys to settle and be accustomed with each others play, when old combined with new to give Bassett an early lead. Lewis W stole the ball from a Wickham forward, passed to Callum who combined with Jamie down the left. This first attack was half cleared then the same trio combined again to create space for Jamie. Jamie's shot was parried by the Wickham keeper into the path of Lewis C, who knocked the ball into the open goal from 3 yards.

Wickham came straight back at Bassett and the Wickham forward outpaced the Bassett defence. Only alert keeping by Conor maintained the Bassett lead as he dived to push the ball out for a corner.

On 8 minutes Bassett extended their lead when a free kick from the left drifted out onto the right wing, Tom picked up the lose ball, passed to Lewis C who passed the ball behind the last defender, Charlie running into the space and slotting the ball home with consummate ease.

Moments later, a long ball from Luke gave Tom a sight of goal unfortunately for Bassett a last ditch interception by the Wickham defender cleared the scoring opportunity. Bassett were well in control of the match with Euan and Jamie bossing the centre midfield and controlling the game. Their lives were made considerably easier by the availability of other players all around them, backwards, to the wings, or upfront, all Bassett players wanted the ball and showed style and composure when in receipt.

Despite the majority of the possession, Bassett failed to convert any other chances and Wickham almost scored on the stroke of half time when a mix up in the Bassett defence left another 1-on-1 situation, Conor coming out on top again when he cleared the ball with his legs. Half-time: 2-0

Bassett started the second half as they did the first, old combining with new as Declan created an opening for Lewis C, his shot going narrowly wide. Bassett extended their lead on 38 minutes when Wickham failed to clear the ball and a back pass could not be picked up by the keeper, Declan, following in and knocking the ball into the goal from a couple of yards.

On 42 minutes Wickham broke away and a covering tackle from Ed saw the ball go out for a corner. The corner was put into the Bassett 6 yard box but the headed clearance went straight to a Wickham player whose first time shot sailed into the top corner.

Three minutes later Bassett made it 4-1 none when persistence and skill on the right by Tom ensured he maintained the ball despite the attention of 3 Wickham players. Tom then crossed and George was on hand to slam the ball home from 5 yards.

On 55 minutes Conor played a goal kick short to Josh. Josh passed onto Callum who found Charlie running at pace through the Wickham midfield and into the box. Charlie's fast feet were too much for the defender who brought Charlie down before he could shoot. Although not his sweetest of strikes, it still took a good save low to his right for the Wickham keeper to keep out Lewis W's spot kick

With 5 minutes left to play, Bassett won a corner on the right. Played short the ball was whipped into the near post where Jamie flicked it past the on-coming Wickham keeper to put the game beyond Wickham's reach.

As full time approached, Ben, Lewis C and Charlie combined down the left. Charlie squared the ball to Euan, whose powerful shot stung the hands of the Wickham keeper as he pushed the ball over the bar. Full-time: 5-1

Coach's Match Analysis: A fantastic performance from the 14 players from the first whistle to the last which ensured a winning start to the season. We never allowed Wickham to settle and played some slick passing football which created lots of goal scoring chances as well as the 5 goals we did convert. Well done boys!

Player of the Match: Full of energy, tricks and skill. Today's POTM award goes to Charlie Emmerson.

Team: Conor Chivers, Edward Fish (Capt), Luke Weekes, Ben Croydon, Josh Curtis, Lewis Ward, Callum Bridges, George Staten, Euan Burke, Jamie Byron, Tom Miller, Lewis Chilod, Declan Cox, Charlie Emmerson

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