Bassett arrived at a baking hot Mannington rec for the second game of the season to take on WIMS, as they looked to start the campaign with back to back victories. The Blues were hoping to keep the momentum going from their opening day victory, despite missing their second game due to postponement.

The Blues were bolstered by new signing Josh Griffiths as the summer spending continued. Griffiths, who has often been a thorn in the Blues side over the years will now keep goal as Bassett look to build a formidable side to challenge both domestically and in Europe.

Despite the intense heat, Bassett started at a blistering speed and looked really dangerous every time they broke forward, with Bryan Willson causing havoc in the WIMS defence with his lightning pace and wonderful dribbling. Willson was unlucky on several occasions, with the WIMS keeper making some brave stops to keep the game scoreless.

At the other end, the Blues were looking calm and composed. Debutant Griffiths was playing like he had always been a Blue, while Indy Iles-Jones and Rhys Poulton were providing the much needed stability in defence to allow Bassett to attack in numbers. Whilst Iles-Jones was sweeping up through ball after through ball, Poulton was stepping into battles and coming away with possession, starting a number of attacks from deep.

Finley Marchment and Sonny Parmaku were linking well down the left, with Marchment showing his skills further up the field, with some deft touches and clever passes. Parmaku was constantly looking like a threat, but Bassett couldn't quite spring the opposition defence.

It looked like it might be a frustrating afternoon for Bassett as they continued to press but failed to get the rewards their play deserved. The pressure soon told though, as Theo Slade took charge of a midfield battle, stepped out of trouble and played a delightful through ball to Phanuel Asenso on the overlap. Asenso, as he so often does, showed immense skill to roll the ball under his right foot, burst past the keeper and stroke into the empty net.

Bassett soon made it 2-0 with an end to end play, as Griffiths stopped a 1 on 1, Asenso picked up the pieces, broke out of defence and found Liam Lye-Owens with a lovely lofted pass. Lye-Owens brought the ball under control and slipped a wonderful reverse pass into Parmaku, breaking forward from deep and Parmaku looked up, picked his spot and smashed it across the keeper. A third soon followed as the deadly combo of Slade and Asenso combined again, Slade once more the provider with a genius through ball that Asenso then sent crashing in at the near post. Captain for the day William Smith kept driving Bassett forward from the heart of midfield, battling to win possession and creating opportunities for team mates. The Blues were stopped in their tracks by the half time whistle though, which seemed to throw them out of their rhythm as they started the second half very sluggishly and their lead was reduced to 2 following the concession of a penalty for the 2nd week running. The penalty was superbly despatched, giving Griffith no chance whatsoever.

Bassett responded magnificently though and were soon 4-1 up when Willson drove down the left flank beating multiple defenders, before squaring a lovely pass to Lye-Owens who checked past his marker and fired into the bottom left hand corner. The Blues gave away another penalty though, but this time Griffiths was the hero as he made a superb save low to his left at a crucial time of the game. Bassett then added goals 5 and 6. First Smith helped himself to a worldy as he broke down the left, skilled his way past the last defender and smashed the ball over the keeper, to cap a superb midfield performance.

Lye-Owens then grabbed his 2nd of the day following a scintillating run by Iles-Jones from centre back, who saw his shot brilliantly saved by the keeper, only for the rebound to drop at Lye-Owens' feet who tapped in to the empty net. WIMS kept battling though and pulled one back after a lovely flighted cross into the box found their forward unmarked and he composed himself and gave Griffiths no chance as he smashed home to make it 6-2. WIMS moved to a more attacking formation and Bassett responded as Elliott Tew showed his incredible versatility and dropped into the heart of defence where his composure and leadership skills shone through as the Blues looked to shut up shop.

Austin Tanner who had been immense throughout saved his best for last as WIMS broke clear, rounded Griffiths and shot on goal, only for Tanner to sprint a full 50 yard recovery run and clear the ball off the line, in an act that secured him the Legendary Leader award for a truly inspiring defensive display.

This allowed Bassett to grab goals 7 and 8 as first Parmaku netted an audacious drag back flick back heel goal after Willson had flicked on from a corner. This incredible display of skill by Parmaku was followed up with another magic moment as he beat his man down the right hand side and Rabona crossed the ball through the 6 yard box for Lye-Owens to complete his hat-trick.

Poulton picked up the "Pass Master" award which was renamed "Awesome Defending" award as a one off and Griffiths collected the "Player of the Match" accolade following a fine debut, in a much deserved Bassett win.

Credit: Nick Lye-Owens
Last modified on Sunday 4th October 2020 at 20:20