07 Sep 2014 - Old Town United Red (A)

First League game of the season away against Old Town, 12:30 kick off on a sunny Sunday afternoon watched by expectant parents from both sides. The first half is kicked off and for the first 5-10 minutes the ball made its way backward and forwards up the centre of the pitch, with neither side taking an advantage. Bassett's first attempt on goal came from a cross whipped in from the left by Joe, with Callum trying to get on the end of it, unfortunately it falls to the keeper who takes control. A bright start from Bassett.

Shortly afterwards Old Town start to exert their first bout of pressure, leading to a corner, that made its way safely up and over the cross bar. A swift move up the pitch by Bassett sees Ollie's shot go wide of the post for a goal kick. Fifteen minutes in to the game, Wootton Bassett were still the only side to really pressure the goal, until Old Towns first attempt goes wide of the post. After a short passage of play, a quick snap shot on goal sees Rhys stop it with his feet.

More pressure from Old Town, another corner goes behind straight from the kick. Ball back in play Old Town win another free kick close to the 18 yard box. Wootton Bassett defence remains strong, a quick clearance up the pitch ends in the left back for Old Town providing a misplaced back pass to the keeper, corner to Bassett. The in-swinging corner hits the post and Old Town manage to clear the pressure up field. Thirty minutes in and neither side managing to take a grip on the game, Bassett having slightly more of the ball at the start with Old Town beginning to even up the possession.

Good defensive displays from the back four together with some good battling up field, see Bassett finish before half time with a cross in to the box that is adjudged offside by the lines man.

Half Time: All even 0 – 0, neither side having clear cut scoring chances, some of the spectators were saying ‘let's hope that it is a game of two halves', and hoping that Bassett could take the initiative once the game kicks off again.

Second half starts in a similar way to the first half, determined play moving quickly from end to end, but breaking down through solid defensive play from both sides. Then Old Town wins a free kick 25 yards from goal, Wootton Bassett position a three man wall, they must have put off the free kick taker as the ball rose up and over the cross bar for a goal kick. A number of substitutions sees fresh legs come on for both sides throughout the second half, the sun and heat may be playing a factor.

Some good interconnecting play by Jordan and Ollie up the right hand wing ends in the Old Town defence gaining the upper hand and clearing the danger. Old Town then made their way back up field where a mistimed challenge led to a free kick on the left hand side of Bassett's box, free kick comes over and is met by a header that goes wide, goal kick.

Old Town seem to be having a purple patch and building pressure, they make their way up field with a swift move resulting in a good save from Rhys who then gathers up the rebound shot. Wootton Bassett defence and midfield remain strong in their defensive duties, still 0 – 0.

As the game went on home side tempers were starting to heat up with some of the decisions, but were handled well by the Referee who calmed the situation down before it really got started.

End to end activity saw Bassett win a corner, this was taken quickly, only to be handled by Old Town's defence, who initiated a move up the field that resulted in a good save by the Bassett keeper. Old Town had another attempt on goal only to hit the post and be cleared by Bassett defence once again.

A sharp whistle from the Referee brings the game to a close. Full Time: 0 – 0, a fair result in the end as both sides didn't quite do enough to win the match.

A good solid start to the season by both teams, one point each, well earned on a hot and sunny afternoon.

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