17 Nov 2013 - Highworth Town Juniors 'J' (A)

With the memory of a 10-1 home defeat back at the end of September, Wootton Bassett Whites travelled to Warnford School in Highworth for the return fixture against league leaders Highworth Town Juniors J. An early start with dawn mist still lingering, the teams were met with a grey, damp morning with drizzle in the air.

When the game gets underway Wootton Bassett are immediately put under pressure as Highworth look to stamp their authority on the game early on. They work the ball through midfield to an attacker at the edge of the box but his shot is well wide. The four across the back are kept busy as Highworth push forward with confident passing.

Mo tracks back well and intercepts the ball out on the left of midfield. A burst of acceleration sees him well into the Highworth half where he lays off to Kyle but the Highworth defenders read the play and break up the Whites incursion.

Highworth break back down the left and, with a nice passing move, work their way into the Bassett box where the waiting striker gives Daniel no chance as he blasts home.

Bassett 0 – 1

The Whites absorb more Highworth pressure and Daniel is kept busy from a scramble in the area when several shots rein in on him, one after the other, but he manages to save them all before getting the ball to safety.

Bassett counter with a nice passing move. Zak lays off to Mo who makes a run before delivering an inch-perfect pass to Kyle running in on goal but Kyle is upended clumsily by the Highworth keeper in the Highworth area. The referee awards the penalty, and the Highworth keeper is probably lucky to get away without a caution. Jordan L steps up to take the spot kick but lifts it over the Highworth crossbar.

The Whites don't let the penalty miss get them down and start to play themselves more in to the game. James intercepts in defence and plays a great ball to Mo in the centre circle. Mo turns nicely and spots Kyle on a run out left. Kyle collects and beats 2 defenders challenges but the resulting shot is into the side netting.

Jordan W has a throw on the right and gets the ball back from Harry G before delivering a super cross across the Highworth box. Mo meets with the ball with a great shot but the Highworth keeper spills it and Mo pounces on the loose ball to slot home and level the scores.

Bassett 1 – 1

Highworth are rocked a little and Wotton Bassett enjoy a period of pressure of their own. A throw in on the left goes to Mo who makes a bit of room and crosses into the heart of the Highworth area where it is met by Harry G with a delightful volley into the net to put the whites in front !

Bassett 2 – 1

Some great defending is called upon as Highworth ramp up the pressure trying to get back into the game. Zed clears one Highworth attack only for the ball to come straight back at the defenders. Jordan makes two remarkable headers off of the Bassett goal line when Daniel was beaten to keep the Whites in front. Then Daniel makes a great punched clearance to clear another attack but Highworth work the ball around the edge of the Bassett box and are able to shoot passed an outstretched Daniel to level the scores again.

Bassett 2 – 2

James makes a great clearance header out to Zach in space in midfield. Zach is off on a run, skipping tackles before passing to Mo in the area but his shot is saved.

Highworth come straight back at Bassett down the right. The first shot is well saved by Daniel but the rebound goes straight back to a Highworth attacker. Daniel saves again but Bassett are unable to clear their lines and Daniel is forced to make a third superb save to prevent Highworth again.

Half Time - Wootton Bassett White 2 Highworth Town Juniors J 2

Mo collects a Bassett throw on the right but is surrounded by Highworth defenders. Somehow, he manages to break through, with the ball, and continues into the Highworth box. His shot is hard and low passed the Highworth keeper and inside the far post to give Bassett the lead again.

Bassett 3 – 2

Highworth break and provide a great ball through to a runner through but his shot clatters the Bassett crossbar and James is able to clear.

Wootton Bassett have to absorb a load of pressure as Highworth repeatedly attack but the defence are superb, and everyone is called upon to repel the onslaught.

Matthew gets a ball out to Kyle in midfield who makes a run beating 4 or 5 tackles as he works his way out of the Bassett half and towards the opposition goal. He goes alone and gets a shot away but the Highworth keeper saves.

Highworth keep up the pressure in the Bassett box and among the challenges going in a Highworth player goes down in the scramble and the referee awards a penalty to the opposition. The tension is incredible but Daniel keeps his cool and makes a fantastic save low down to thwart Highworth once again.

Bassett break back down the left and win a throw in on the left. Zak collects and makes a great delivery to Mo who weaves left and right to make some room but his shot is well saved once again.

Highworth come straight back at Bassett as the clock runs down. Some nice passes down the left enable Highworth to move the ball into the Bassett area and the final shot sails passed Daniel to give Highworth a share of the points.

A fantastically exciting game finishes in a share of the points after a fantastic performance by the Bassett boys.

Full Time - Wootton Bassett Whites 3 Highworth Town Juniors J 3

Coaches Comments : As coaches and parents we were so proud of the achievement and guts shown today by every single boy. The way they worked as a team of 14 and not individuals is a true testament to what they are gaining from training and bonding every week and shows that the whole squad is pulling together as a unit. The result and the team spirit shown this week can only do good and we hope it will inspire the boys into wanting to come along and push themselves to improve their game every week.

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

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