03 Mar 2013 - Pewsey Vale (A)

On a beautiful frosty morning in the lovely village of Milton Lilbourne, Wootton Bassett Yellows returned to league action with the stunning quarter final cup victory still fresh in their minds. Our mid-table opponents may prove less of a challenge but, as was clear from the off, Pewsey have some excellent players of their own determined to make a real game of it.

Early pressure from Bassett, however, saw the ball remain stubbornly in our opponents' half and it was no surprise when, after good work down the right, Tom cut the ball back to an oncoming Euan who launched an unstoppable pile-driver to open our account - 1:0 George and Callum were combining well down the left now, looking for space and it was a perfectly angled defence-splitting pass from left to right by Callum that put Tom clean through on goal. He kept his head and calmly slotted the ball home as the goalie rushed to meet him - 2:0. Moments later Euan nearly grabbed an immediate second as, after a short corner, he headed George's lovely cross narrowly over the bar.

Pewsey now gradually fought their way into the game, with Josh, Ed and Luke having to work harder at the back to stop attackers and then fashion moves forward. Jamie started to catch the eye as a midfield battle developed against some skilful and tenacious opponents, but it was lovely pass from Charlie landing at Joe's feet which saw our lead further extended. The pass was accurate, although Joe still had plenty to do when it arrived as the defence approached and the ease with which he lobbed it with the outside of his boot over the 'keeper was truly impressive - 3:0

The worsening score line only served to spur Pewsey on and Ed needed to put in a tremendous sliding tackle moments later to avert clear danger and attacks by our hosts down both flanks hinted at a revival that all defenders needed to be alert to. It was Bassett who scored next, however, after Tom was denied from close range and Luke had rattled the upright, Lewis put a lovely pass across to Dec who flighted the ball over the goalie's head to nestle in the corner - 4:0

Ben was also having a solid game at right back and he instigated several thrusts forward by cutting inside his man and putting strong balls ahead but the half ended with no further goals to report.

Half-time - 4:0

After the break, Pewsey upped their game and Connor was soon called into action when a shot found its way through - although , shortly after, it was only an offside flag that prevented yet another Bassett break on the goal. A rare home corner hinted at greater threat but after that was cleared a truly great team goal was scored by Bassett when Joe , Ben and Jamie worked triangles down the right that simply bamboozled our hosts and put Charlie in to score from close range - 5:0

Pewsey were to have their say nevertheless and another corner from them was only partly cleared and it fell nicely to a player who lobbed it in to prevent the whitewash and slightly tarnish Bassett's incredible goal difference for the season- 5:1

There then followed a period of midfield battling with Pewsey determined to build on this goal and all our players having a say in stopping them - a quality sliding tackle from Luke the pick of the lot. Nevertheless, Pewsey did manage a lobbed shot to dirty Connor's gloves before Bassett surged on for their next goal. It was another delightful pass from Euan that opened things up down the left and a pass from Tom after battling again in the middle saw Lewis slide a strong shot past the Pewsey 'keeper to notch up a sixth goal of the morning - 6:1

Callum, now in the middle, was seeing a lot of the ball and it seemed inevitable that he would find his first league goal of the campaign. It came after still more Bassett pressure against a tiring Pewsey side that led to a strong thrust down the right started by a delightful header and turn from Tom. Callum made no mistake with a lob into an empty net. Full time: 7:1

Man of the match: Chosen by our opponents, a fully deserved award for a battling performance that simply stopped Pewsey in their tracks and gave a platform for others to rack up the goals - man of the match goes to Jamie Byron.

Coaches comments: A very good performance from all 14 players against a Pewsey team who made us fight for every ball throughout the game. We played some outstanding passing football in the match & to have 7 different scorers just shows the quality we have. Well done boys.

Team: Conor Chivers, Edward Fish (capt.) , Luke Weekes, Ben Croydon, Josh Curtis, Callum Bridges, George Staten, Euan Burke, Jamie Byron, Tom Miller, Lewis Cholod, Charlie Emmerson, Joe Fenton, Declan Cox

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