Captain Cook discovers winning formula

The game started in a positive manner with plenty of action concentrated in the opposition half. Centre forward Nick Thomson switched the ball side to side to both wings and with rolling subs the more senior Chippenham side found it difficult to keep pace with the speed of the younger forwards James Gregory, Milind Thapa and Paul. Veteran keeper Mike Hayward (dragged out of slumbering retirement for the 3rd time this season) was less pressured than normal and was able to quickly snuff out any threat of danger – this was the first game for a while where the keeper was not the man-of-the-match. Midfielders Grant Kirkup and Max Brennan kept up the pace and pressure and with a fine solo effort Kirkup reached the edge of the D and blasted a shot past the flailing Chippenham keeper to make the score 1-0 at half time.

The second half continued in the same vein with Bassett holding the majority of the possession but unable to increase their lead. Occasional breakaways by the opposition were swiftly dealt with by the Bassett half-back line-up of Jack Williams and Craig McLauchlin. As the half progressed Bassett smelled the possibility of victory and became more adventurous, making better use of the width of the pitch with wingers man-of-the-match Gregory and Ben Hares finding space and making the most of the opportunities, but a second goal proved elusive. The game concluded with a well-deserved Bassett maiden win of the season and the first clean sheet – vice-captain Cook said “now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this resounding victory. Our endeavours have borne fruit and let’s hope we can continue it next week against bottom-of-the-league Devizes A”