Fifteen of Bassett's finest made their way to Goring FC for their first match of 2020. Fifteen of Bassett's finest made their way to Goring FC for the Over 50s team's first match of 2020.
After some difficulty finding the club we settled into the cozy changing rooms. With the air heavy with deep heat and Sean's aftershave, a stirring team talk was only interrupted by Kenny's phone with his mum checking he had remembered his vest and clean underpants.
The team emerged to find almost Somme like conditions on the pitch, our lads didn't know whether they should be looking for a trench or playing football.
After winning the toss we opted to take the downhill slope in the first half, probably a wise move given the muddy conditions. From the kick off if was clear that Goring were able to cope with the pitch conditions better than Bassett, creating space and moving the ball easily to each other. This was a theme that would dominate the first half.
With Jacko's words 'keep it tight in the first ten minutes' still ringing in their ears, a through ball played down the left put them through on goal. A mistimed tackle by Jeremy Smith in the penalty area meant the ref had no option other than point to the spot, 1-0 Goring.
With Bassett unable to play their usual silky style of football we struggled to keep the ball. This meant the back four of Sean, Jeremy, Ian and Jason came under constant pressure.
After thirteen minutes PBS was unable to stop Goring slipping the ball between him and the upright to go 2-0 up. This was followed not long after by a volley from Goring which found the net, 3-0.
With Bassett struggling to come to terms with the pitch conditions Kev Currier's boots cried 'enough' and decided to fall apart.
A free kick to Bassett just outside the 18 yard box gave us our first real opportunity to have a shot on goal, Chris Cooper's shot beating the keeper but not the crossbar. Not long after a through ball gave Rob Mitchell a shooting chance but Goring's keeper came out on top this time.
With a change of formation to a 3-5-2 Bassett's luck didn't improve with Goring scoring twice more before the half time whistle.
After the half time team talk and oranges Bassett looked improved in the second half. From the kick off Steve Fisher and Kev Currier (with newly taped boots) combined to produce a shot on goal which Goring goalie had to put wide for a corner. Fifteen minutes into the second half a cross from John Stack gave Kev Currier another chance, however it came to nothing. Goring however, managed another goal to go 6-0 up.
Bassett's best chance came after 72 minutes when Ted used his MANY years of experience to turn his player on the right wing and make a DeBruyne-esque cross to Steve Fisher. Steve aware of a Goring player in hot pursuit managed to get a shot off, beating the goalie but again the woodwork denied Bassett a goal.
ith Bassett players tiring Goring took control for the remainder of the match to make it 9-0 at the full time whistle.
Credit: -
Last modified on Wednesday 15th January 2020 at 11:53
