Gerard Buxton Sports Ground, 26 October 2021
Royal Wootton Bassett Town were unable to build on Saturday's FA Vase triumph as they fell to a narrow, arguably undeserved, 3-2 home defeat against Wiltshire rivals Westbury United in their return to league action.
The negative result stretched Bassett's winless Hellenic League Premier Division streak to nine games and, agonisingly, represented their third single goal defeat during that stretch.
All the goals came in a frenetic first half, with four coming in a dramatic fifteen minute spell.
Bassett had taken the lead after twenty minutes. Westbury 'keeper Mark Bowden's awkward punch from a Chris Taylor cross failed to clear the danger away. The ball was initially headed back into the danger area by Sam Morris before Tommy Ouldridge guided it into the path of John Mills. Mills then saw an acrobatic effort cleared off the line, with the rebound falling to Ouldridge who produced a smart, snap first-time finish.
Westbury equalised ten minutes later though when an unmarked Jake Hutchings headed in at the left post from an Ashton Shanley free kick.
Five minutes later the visitors were ahead. Ben Griffiths seized upon a loose pass from Scott Chilcott before squaring inside for Shanley, whose 25-yard effort crashed off the bar. Forward Francois Allen was on hand though to nod in the rebound from six yards out.
It was soon 3-1. For the second time a set piece was Bassett's undoing. This time, Shanley whipped in a low corner from the left side, which was helped on at the near post and turned in by Allen.
Facing a two goal deficit, it was imperative Bassett struck back before the interval. They came close when a powerful Mills drive was diverted over by Bowden's fingertip save.
From the resulting corner, swung in by Ouldridge, Bassett got the break they needed as Will Davidson was tripped in the box. Bowden managed to keep out Mills' powerful, low penalty, but the ball came straight back to the forward who made no mistake at the second time of asking.
Much to Bassett's frustration, that would prove to be the final goal of the game.
Sam Collier's side threw everything they had at Westbury, particularly in the closing stages of the contest. But, although having to endure a significant amount of pressure, the visitors' defence held out long enough to ensure Bassett once again wound up with nothing to show for their efforts.
Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Wednesday 27th October 2021 at 15:32
