02 Mar 2014 - Wickham Wanderers (H)

Back to a near full-strength squad today but on a bitterly cold and wet afternoon, with sticky mud underfoot, this was not going to be an easy game for Bassett to show their slick passing style. We took the game by the horns as the whistle blew, however, and it wasn't long before Zak surged up the wing, poked the ball forward to Tom who couldn't quite get in on goal. Just moments later, however, Tom turned provider and swung a lovely cross into the penalty area which Lewis was able to latch onto and stroke home for our first goal: 1 - 0

This attacking pattern continued for some time, with Bassett camped in the Wickham half and causing our visitors all sorts of problems in defence. Callum put in various searching balls that split their back line on a number of occasions and it looked like a matter of time before we would increase our lead. When the goal came, however, it was a goalkeeping howler.After a free-kick was awarded just outside the area, Euan sent one straight down the goalie's throat and noone was more surprised than the Wickham stopper when the ball dropped through his hands and between his legs to creep over the line: 2 - 0 After Lewis had a further chance that, this time, the goalie clung to his chest, Wickham started to come into the game a bit more and Conor was finally called into action. A Wickham attack was dealt with well before a follow-up chance bounced off the Bassett post. Another chance moments later saw Zak clearing off the line with his head. It was now more end-to-end stuff and a lovely floating cross from Callum next saw Lewis glance a header wide at the other end, but the half ended with no further score.

Half-time: 2 - 0

As the weather worsened so did the game as a spectacle, with both sides struggling to put passes together and some mis-timed tackles spoiling the flow. Our lads never stopped trying,however, and Tom was unlucky not to find the net after he battled through from the right again. A rare Wickham chance was sent high over the bar before Lewis did the same at the other end but to be honest, there was little to report of any note until Tom took matters in his own hands and dribbled through a number of defenders and slotted the ball past a despairing 'keeper to finally wrap up the points: 3 - 0

With the game sliding towards a conclusion, there was still time for a Lewis shot to whistle past the post and a rare Ben lob to be saved before the ref blew time and another satisfying win for Bassett was chalked up.

Final score: 3 - 0

Man of the match: A joint award this week to Ben and Jamie. Both fought hard throughout the match, Jamie holding onto the ball well in the difficult conditions, always looking to set something up and Ben playing effectively in more than one position in the match.

Coach comment: A game vs.Wickham is never a game to take lightly & the lads' quick start made the afternoon a lot easier with the 2 goals.With the rest of the game strongly contested it took Tom's superb individual goal to finally dampen our opponents & us on the sidelines finally breathed easier.It was great to have more than 12 available & once again the players took each change with positivity.The run of 6 league wins & 5 clean sheets in those games is outstanding.The boys have earned their rise to 3rd in the table & now need to maintain it through the next 6 games.Well done all 14.

Team: Callum Bridges, Euan Burke, Jamie Byrom (capt.) , Josh Curtis, Edward Fish, Lewis Cholod, Conor Chivers, Ben Croydon, Charlie Emmerson, Joe Fenton, Lewis Griffin, Tom Miller, Zach Robinson, George Staten,

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