30 Sep 2012 - Blunsdon Colts A (A)

On a blustery open pitch, still scattered with the last daisies of summer, the even opening exchanges of this encounter gave no hint of the onslaught to come. In fact, it was Blunsdon who had the early pressure as Ed cut off a strong run down the right wing and some skilful turns and tricks from a number of home players implied that this would not be easy. However, an early chance for Dec after the home keeper rushed out and left a gaping net behind him followed by strong shots from both Lewis and Euan - the latter producing a stunning save - must have given Blunsdon early warnings of our threat up front but a goal just didn't come.

When it did, it was a stunner. A thrust forward from Ben in defence turned into a beautiful pass to Euan who launched an unstoppable shot into the top corner : 0 - 1 The goal seemed to settle Bassett and their slick, passing game emerged with Jamie at the heart of some lovely moves in midfield as he fought and harried, keeping the ball at his feet with tackles bouncing off him at every turn. Tom, too, was causing all sorts of trouble down the right and a number of further chances were made by him and Lewis without a goal being converted. At this point, our coach shuffled his talented pack and brought on Callum, Charlie and Ollie - battle was rejoined and a evenly matched period of play developed with both midfields dominating. Bassett always looked the more likely to score,however, and after a pinball interchange in the Blunsdon area, the ball was slipped out to Callum who put in a quality ball to Charlie who scored past an advancing goalie : 0 -2

Our defence were having an equally good game with Josh,Ed,Luke and Ben all showing total calm and not a little skill when challenged by some determined Blunsdon attacks. It was a surprise, then, when a corner conceded by Luke's brilliant tackle was zipped across the area and slotted home from close range :1- 2 This gave our hosts a lift but it was short-lived due to a lovely third goal from Bassett involving a cut-back from Lewis to Tom on the edge of the area from where he rocketed one in off the crossbar : 1 - 3 A further goal came shortly after from Lewis himself when he looped one back over his head and the goalie fumbled back over the line : 1 - 4 Half-time: 1 - 4

If the first half was good from a Bassett point of view, the second was simply inspirational. They began stroking the ball feet to feet in a most accomplished manner from the off and Blunsdon simply couldn't cope. There was an early chance to Charlie before an unfortunate injury to a Blunsdon player led to a lengthy break in play. Just after this a lovely Callum corner fell to Jamie who, having turned his marker inside out and back to front, slammed one past the goalie : 1 - 5 George now began to show what he can do down the right wing with some strong dribbling runs giving the defenders a lot to think about and it was unfortunate that a lovely whipped cross from him which Dec poked home was adjudged to be off-side. Moments later,however, Dec did put his name on the scoresheet when he brought down a very high ball and shot strongly into the corner of the net: 1 - 6 Bassett were now firmly camped in the Blunsdon box and began to really excel in all aspects of the game with all players catching the eye at different times for moments of individual skill and thought. Another run down the wing and pass inside from George then put Dec in for his second goal of the afternoon as the scoreline began to look distinctly top-heavy: 1 - 7

Another assist from George, this time through the middle, put Charlie in and he held off his marker before striking home for his deserved second of the match: 1 - 8 It would be unfair to pick any one goal from the match as the best but a strong contender came next in the form of a long range thunderbolt from Luke who had already had a fantastic game and deserved a memorable goal to go with it - the goalie had no chance but injured himself leaping back in desperation: 1 - 9 Callum then put in yet another delightfully weighted corner and Luke was unlucky not to immediately double his tally with a glancing header which skimmed the post. Could there be a tenth? Absolutely .... Callum,battling in from out right got the ball in to Tom who made no mistake from close range to grab his second: 1 - 10 Blunsdon must by this time have been willing the ref. to blow but they did fashion a couple of chances towards the end of the match before Tom rounded off a great afternoon's work with a strong shot from the edge of the area to take the score into calculator country: 1 - 11 Final score: 1 – 11

Squad- Conor Chivers, Josh Curtis, Luke Weekes, Ed Fish(Capt), Ben Croydon, George Staten, Euan Burke, Jamie Byrom, Tom Miller, Lewis Cholod, Declan Cox, Callum Bridges, Charlie Emmerson & Oliver Hopegood. Man of the match: a deserved hat-trick rounded off a super performance typical of the team today. Tom was a constant threat to the opposition throughout the match battling through and passing intelligently to open up the defence time after time. Coach's Analysis: The only thing I can say is that the boys were absolutely fantastic & I would've willingly paid to watch the football they produced with so many different passing moves that cut a decent Blunsdon team apart time after time. There were so many different goals but each were crafted & finished with the quality that is in the team. Well done boys a performance to remember.

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