10 Nov 2013 - Stratton Youth White (A)

Wootton Bassett Whites travelled to Cirencester for their latest fixture against Stratton Youth White. A lovely bright and sunny afternoon welcomed the teams although it was a little colder than previous weekends.

The Whites also welcome 3 new players to the squad – Kieran Gorman, Harry Griffin, and Kyle Legg -who will all make their debuts today.

Stratton begin the game passing the ball around well but the Bassett defense is pushed up and Stratton are unable to penetrate much past the halfway line.

New signing Kyle gets an early touch and picks up the ball on the left and goes it alone, his pace taking him around the Stratton defenders and up the byline but he is still able, from the narrow angle, to shoot passed the keeper for an early Wootton Bassett lead.

Bassett 1 – 0

Another new signing, Harry G, makes a good run down the right passed 2 defenders. A nice pass inside finds Kyle in front of goal but his effort is well saved by the Stratton keeper.

Brad wins the ball in midfield and delivers to Kyle on the left again. Kyle makes a run and is forced out to the byline by the Stratton defence but, with some good battling, manages to work his way through to deliver the ball into the area where Mo collects amidst a crowd of players and manages to scramble the ball over the line.

Bassett 2 – 0

Stratton enjoy a period of possession and put some pressure on the Bassett defense. James and Matt are kept busy for a while but Stratton are unable to make an impact.

New signing Kieran collects the ball from a goal-kick and makes a run into space. He makes a nice pass to Kyle outside left who delivers a nice cross to Mo in the box. Mo is too cramped to turn and shoot so lays the ball out to Jack but his shot is smothered by the Stratton keeper who has dashed out to make the save.

Jack picks up the ball on the right and makes a nicely weighted pass to Mo up ahead of him. Mo delivers a super cross to Kyle who controls the ball well but his shot goes narrowly wide of the left post.

Mo tracks back to intercept the ball in his own half and then, from there, makes a great pass to Kyle on a great run. Kyle's fierce shot slams into the Stratton post and out to safety.

Kieran holds up the ball well in midfield before passing to Zed racing up on the left. Zed's progress is blocked by the Stratton defenders but Kyle comes over to help, gets the ball, turns, and passes across the Stratton box to Jack charging up on the right who slams the ball into the back of the Stratton net for the Whites third.

Bassett 3 – 0

Stratton attack down the left straight from the restart. A neat pass to an attacker in space on the edge of the box gives him time to make a chip shot over Daniels outstretched hands to pull one back.

Bassett 3 – 1

The Whites win a corner on the right. Jordan L provides a great cross into the danger area where Mo is waiting to poke in number 4.

Bassett 4 – 1

Stratton come forward again but Dan is quick to the threat and clears the ball well up field to Harley. Harley makes a nice little run through midfield and passes nicely to Mo in front. Mo's hot goes just wide.

Half Time - Wootton Bassett White 4 Stratton Youth White 1

Basset start the second half looking to attack Stratton from the off. Mo picks up the ball on the left and runs the line. When the defenders close in he drives a low cross across the Stratton area to where Jack is waiting, completely unmarked at the back post, where he calmly fires in his second of the match.

Bassett 5 – 1

Stratton aren't giving up and put together a neat series of passes which sees them progress well into the Bassett half. Jordan and James close down well but the Stratton attacker is able to get a shot away but Dan makes a great save to deny them this chance.

Zak makes a good strong challenge in midfield to win the ball. He takes off down the left, beating 3 more tackles on his way toward the Stratton box. A neat step-over on the edge of the area gives him space for the cross but Stratton are able to clear.

Jack collects the ball and feeds Kieran up ahead. Again the Stratton keeper is able to clear the ball but this time only as far as Zak. Zak beats 2 challenges and surges into the box again but this time goes it alone and fires home.

Bassett 6 – 1

Jack does some good work out on the right, twisting and turning to beat a persistent Stratton defender. He manages to make enough space to get a cross in from the byline to Zak but Zak is quickly closed down by the Stratton keeper. Zak lays the ball off to Harley a little further back but his first-time shot is saved.

Zak is busy out on the left again and gets forward enough to fire a strong shot towards the goal. With the power of the shot the keeper can't hold on to it and it pops up in front of Kyle who is able to head it back over the keeper and into the net for his second of the afternoon.

Bassett 7 – 1

Brad wins the ball in midfield and, with his back to Stratton, plays a sensible ball back to Matthew. Matthew makes a good pass to Zak who's off on a run again down the left but his final shot is well saved.

Stratton put together an attack but Harry and Matthew are covering well and manage to snuff out the incursion.

Zach wins a battle in midfield and comes away with the ball. A pass through the middle nearly put Zak in on goal but the Stratton keeper is first to it and clears the ball. Only as far as Harry though who makes a nice header back over the Stratton defenders to Mo who collects and shoots passed the despairing Stratton keeper to complete his hat-trick.

Bassett 8 – 1

Mo, Zach and Kyle combine beautifully, passing triangles around the Stratton players. The Stratton players can't break up the play and Bassett work their way downfield. The final cross is cleared for a corner. The corner is cleared but only as far as Zach who shoots straight back at goal but the ball goes just over the bar.

Full Time - Wootton Bassett White 8 Stratton Youth White 1

Coaches Comments : A well-deserved comfortable win. Good to see all the squad getting stuck in and playing as a team. Future games will depend on good communication, strong football, fitness and desire. Well done boys keep it up.

Wootton Bassett Whites : Zach Bunce, Muhammed Cham (3), Harley Dack, James Evans (Capt), Kieran Gorman, Harry Griffin, Zed James, Jordan Langford, Jack Large (2), Kyle Legg (2), Harry Melling, Matthew Nicholls, Brad Sealey, Zak Thompson (1), Nial Wright, Daniel York

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