11 Apr 2013 - Wroughton Youth (A)

A full squad available for this crucial top of the table fixture, the scene was set for a really gripping encounter against a side who took us mighty close in the cup and are just brimming with strong and talented players.

The first half began with early pressure on the Bassett goal and , to be honest, this was the pattern until the interval with Ed and Luke brought into action time and time again. The one way traffic eased when Bassett were awarded a free kick but Euan was unable to make any impression with this early kick. Tom then started to battle down the right wing but, again, Wroughton proved stubborn in defence and quick to every ball.

There were then two gilt-edged chances for our opponents to open the scoring and we could have had no complaint if either had gone in. The first rattled the upright and a few minutes later an opposition striker was left completely unmarked in the area with an open goal at his mercy and he somehow managed to skew his shot wide. Callum tried to turn the tide with some lovely runs down the left wing and was unlucky that a great corner didn't meet a blue head but soon after Ed had to clear yet another Wroughton chance off the line.

There were then two gilt-edged chances for our opponents to open the scoring and we could have had no complaint if either had gone in. The first rattled the upright and a few minutes later an opposition striker was left completely unmarked in the area with an open goal at his mercy and he somehow managed to skew his shot wide.

Callum tried to turn the tide with some lovely runs down the left wing and was unlucky that a great corner didn't meet a blue head but soon after Ed had to clear yet another Wroughton chance off the line.

It was Callum who then had the best chance of the half when he and Joe burst clear through the middle but, having done brilliantly to get in a great shooting position, he skewed the shot wide.

The incessant Wroughton attacks continued, however, and it was only stubborn defending, from Bassett that kept them out. A great header from Euan and a last minute interception from Josh for example. It was Conor who saved the day next, though, when he tipped a strong shot onto the cross bar, the follow up then being blasted over the bar. The goal had to come, however, and Wroughton took a deserved lead when a cross was headed in just inside the post : 1-0

This goal sparked Bassett into life and a couple of corners were won before a nasty tackle on Callum forced him from the field (replaced by George) - the resulting free-kick coming to nothing, the half ended with a score line that didn't do justice to Wroughton's dominance.

Half-time: 1 - 0

If a match ever fitted the cliché of 'a game of two halves' it was this one. As Wroughton dominated the first half, missing many chances and leaving Bassett picking at scraps, so Bassett themselves took control in the second period creating chance after chance as they started to turn the game on its head.

After some minutes where neither side did much, Euan stepped up to launch a powerful freekick deep into the area,the goalie grabbing it gratefully to his chest. Soon after Lewis C fashioned a shot that bounced off the crossbar and moments later, after great work through the middle from Jamie, Lewis again came close putting a shot just wide. Bassett were now starting to show what they can do, with some lovely passing coming together and, just as importantly, much better tackling which put Wroughton on the back foot.

Tom and Jamie combined well down the right and on the other side, George and Charlie fought for the ball equally effectively with a number of dangerous balls being launched into the box. Our defenders were even able to push forward and make things happen, Lewis W flashing a ball right across the front of goal and Luke powering forward as well. Ed was imperious at the back as usual if ever a Wroughton attack started to develop.

Whenever Wroughton did get up in the Bassett box, we defended and then broke beautifully forward with Lewis going clean through online occasion, only a great last gasp tackle stopping him. As in the first half, a goal just had to come and it was Lewis C who grabbed it after Tom had taken the ball out wide, battled through into the middle for Lewis to slot home: 1 - 1

Bassett were now in control of the match and Wroughton just couldn't seem to get forward which - a credit to the fighting spirit of our lads who were now going for the winner. A lovely corner from George floated agonisingly across the area before Jamie nearly grabbed a goal with a shot that went narrowly wide.

There was then a rare Wroughton attack that nearly led to the winner but the ball was deflected just past the post and then , just before the end of the match, Lewis burst through yet again, turned his man but could only blast the ball over the bar, the bumpy pitch doing him no favours.

The match ended in a draw that seemed the only fair result on a day when each team dominated a half of their own. Bassett should feel proud of how they fought back from such a negative first half, however, and will hope to take this forward into the return fixture at Ballards Ash.

Man of the match: On a day when strong defending was needed to keep us in the match through a difficult first half, both Ed and Luke are standout candidates with Luke Weekes just shading it for his powerful and skilful performance today.

Coach analysis: The lads again showed an inner strength and togetherness as they stayed in the game in the first half when Wroughton were in control. Their performance in the 2nd half was more the norm as they got stuck in and passed the ball well to get a deserved equaliser and so nearly got a winner. Well done boys again.

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

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